Karl Vollmer

As printed in 1910

KARL VOLLMER, M. D.

Davenport, his native city, numbers among her honored and successful physicians Dr. Karl VoUmer, who by reason of his ability and thorough training has attained foremost rank among the representatives of the medical profession in this city. Born on the 20th of November, 1869, he is a son of Henry and Dorothea (Plambeck) VoUmer, extended mention of whom is made on another page of this volume, and a brother of Henry Vollmer, attorney and counsellor of this city.

In the public schools of Davenport Dr. Vollmer acquired his preliminary education and later, deciding upon the practice of medicine as his life work, became a student under the direction of Surgeon-in-Chief Peck, of the Rock Island Railway, and was the last one to study under that well known physician, who was recognized as one of the best medical practitioners of his day. Under his guidance Dr. Vollmer became imbued with the importance of his profession and also its beauty, mystery and unselfishness, and it was his ambition to follow in the footsteps of him who was his principal inspiration. With this end in view he entered the medical department of the Iowa State University, from which he was graduated in 1892, and then went abroad, spending a season at the Allegemeine Krankenhause in Vienna in post-graduate work. This was followed by a season as assistant in the Royal Opthalmic Hospital in London, after which he returned to Davenport, and in the fall of 1893, thus well equipped, entered upon the practice of his profession in this city. His study abroad had been confined principally to the eye, ear, nose and throat, and along this line he has since continued to specialize, his office in the Schmidt building being thoroughly equipped with every modern and up-to-date accessory for carrying on this branch of the medical profession. In 1906 he again went abroad and supplemented his former study by work at Warzburg University. He keeps in close touch with his professional brethren through his membership in the National, State and County Medical Societies, and the high place which he occupies in medical circles is indicated by the fact that in 1907 he was elected to the presidency of the latter organization.

It was in 1897 that Dr. Vollmer was united in marriage in Davenport to Miss Paula Koehler, a daughter of Henry and Ottilie Koehler, mention of whom will be found elsewhere in this volume. This union has been blessed by the birth of one son, born on the 20th of October, 1902, who is the life and light of the household. The family reside in an attractive home at No. 817 West Seventh street, and are very prominent in the social circles of the community. Dr. Vollmer is on the staff of Mercy and St. Luke's Hospitals, and with a large private practice demanding his time and talents, he has little time for the amenities of life, yet he takes time to keep up his interest in things municipal and social and gives hearty support to the democratic party, while he is a member of the Commercial Club, the Outing Club, the Davenport Turn Verein and many local social societies of lesser note. His principal interest, however, is in his profession, the duties of which he performs in a conscientious and thorough manner, fully realizing the heavy responsibilities that rest upon him in the conduct of his chosen calling. Davenport has watched with interest his rapid and substantial rise and this city, in which he was reared and which has been the center of his efforts and activities, recognizes him as one of her most valuable citizens and an honor to his profession.

As printed in History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa : Illustrated (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.