History of Waterloo, (Black Hawk County) Iowa United States of America

Willard Eddy, M. D.,is a descendant of the family which came from England to this country more than 250 years ago. Both his grandfather, Esek Eddy, and his great-grandfather, Samuel Eddy, were soldiers in the revolutionary war. His father, Erastus Eddy, was a farmer and owned 150 acres of land near Buffalo, N. Y., upon which he lived for over sixty years, and died at the age of 87 years. His mother continued to own this farm until November 21, 1897, when she died at the age of 83 years. Her name was Dorliska Middleditch, and she raised a family of ten children, six boys and four girls. She was a sister of Dr. A. Middleditch, who has lived in Waterloo ever since 1856.

Willard was born in Erie county, N. Y., July 30, 1838, and received a common school education. He then went to the academy at Springville, N. Y., and from there to Genesee seminary near Rochester, N. Y., for four years. In 1860 he went to the University of Michigan and commenced the study of medicine. In March, 1863, he graduated from the medical department of that university and was one of the five that stood highest. All his expenses at seminary and medical college were paid by himself, by his pre-emption of public land in Minnesota, then selling it. In 1863 he came to Iowa and located at Monticello, Jones county, where he practiced medicine for four years. He removed to Waterloo in 1867 and has practiced there ever since that date. Dr. Eddy saved money from the commencement of his practice, and carefully invested his surplus earnings in real estate and real estate loans. He has always been very careful and conservative in business affairs, and has made an eminent success both as a physician and a financier. His income is now several thousand dollars per year above his expenses, and his estate must be worth many thousand dollars. He has never received any property by inheritance. He acquired it all by his professional labors and careful investments.

Dr. Eddy was married in June, 1864, to Miss F. Gertrude Hammond, of Waterloo, Iowa. They had one child, Walter F., who was drowned while skating, Thanksgiving day, 1886, when only 13 years of age. The sudden and tragic death of their only child was a terrible shock to both the parents, and one from which Mrs. Eddy never recovered. Her mind became partially unbalanced and she finally went to travel in Europe, hoping to regain her normal composure of mind. After waiting ten years the doctor was again married June 29, 1896, to Miss Sarah E. Cadwallader, of Waverly, the daughter of Philip Cadwallader. They have a son, born April 29, 1897, a strong, healthy boy, Roger Willard Eddy.

Dr. Eddy's first vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln, and he has voted the republican ticket ever since. He has been a member of the First Congregational church of Waterloo for thirty years. For many years he has belonged to the Black Hawk County Medical society, Cedar Valley Medical society and the Iowa State Medical society.

SOURCE: Biographies and Portraits of the Progressive Men of Iowa published by Conway and Shaw, Des Moines: 1899.

History of Waterloo, (Black Hawk County) Iowa

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