Post (C) Doris McCraw
aka Angela Raines
 |
| Image (Photo) (C) Doris McCraw |
Dr. Harriet Leonard:
Born in New York in 1829 and died in Colorado in 1907 at the age of 79 (?). She married John Leonard, and they had seven children, with four surviving to adulthood according to the 1900 census. John died in 1895/6.
Along with Julia E. Loomis, the first woman doctor in Colorado Springs, Harriet Leonard was the first woman doctor in Manitou Springs, Colorado. Her advertisement appeared as early as July of 1878. Her ad read: "Mrs. H. A. Leonard, M.D. ELECTRICIAN. Special attention given to nervous and chronic diseases. Office in the Mineral Bath House. Manitou." This form of treatment was not that unusual in the 1870s. You can read more at: http://blog.nyhistory.org/electric-medicine/
Dr. Leonard later became the proprietor of the Bath house, a rather unusual position for a woman. Nonetheless, Harriet was constantly working and learning. There is some indication she may have gone to Truth or Consequences, New Mexico (originally known as Hot Springs) for a time, but no definite proof has been found. It would not be out of the question, as the town has numerous hot springs. The springs in Manitou are mineral, and not hot springs. It would make sense given her history.
Manitou Bath House Building
Image from Wikipedia
Another difference between Dr. Leonard and the other female physicians was that she was an allopath, while Dr. Loomis, the first woman doctor in Colorado Springs, and others were homeopaths. Dr. Leonard graduated from the Keokuk College of Physicians and Surgeons. http://www.keokuk.net/history/1820sto.htm Dr. Loomis, like the two other women doctors who joined these two early pioneers, graduated from the Cleveland Homeopathic College for Women.
Dr. Leonard, before the fall that led to her decline and subsequent death, was planning to open a massage parlor in Colorado Springs with both a male and female masseuse.
For over fifteen years, I have been passionate about the study and research of these early women doctors. Stay tuned as I share more about the women doctors who practiced in Colorado before 1900.
Until next time.
Doris
4 comments:
The bath house area is one of my favorites in Manitou Springs. I had no idea a woman was once in charge of it, and that she was a doctor. What fun to learn something new. Thanks for sharing Doris!
My pleasure. Even if it wasn't that bathhouse it was one similar. Doris
These women really paved the way for female doctors in this area. Great information.
The did, and I plan to share more about the women doctors in this area who practiced prior to 1900. Dois
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