Dr. Alexander Lane Brobeck ^{1 2 3 4 5}

   FamilySearch ID: K89M-FPJ.

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Book: Portrait and Biographical Record of Iroquois County, Illinois, 1893. ¹
A. L. BROBECK, M. D., is a prominent representative of the medical profession in Iroquois County. He makes his home in Wellington and is recognized as one of its heading and influential citizens. Through business and social relations he has become widely known in this community and with pleasure we present this record of his life to out readers, many of whom are numbered among his warm friends.
The Doctor was born in Washington County, Tenn., January 10, 1853, and is a son of D. K. and Harriet T. (Miller) Brobeck. His father was born in Tennessee, August 7, 1827, and is still living. He is a blacksmith by trade and owns a farm, the same upon which our subject was reared. In his younger years he also engaged in teaching. Throughout life he has met with excellent success and is now in comfortable circumstances. In politics, he is a supporter of Republican principles. His wife was born in Tennessee, August 20, 1820. Both parents are members of the Presbyterian Church. Their family numbered twelve children, five of whom are yet living: Nannie is the wife of A. S. Stover, a farmer of Tennessee; the Doctor comes next; James is a carpenter and joiner, residing in Momence, Ill.; Addie resides with her father, and John, of Wellington, is studying dentistry.

Dr. Brobeck spent his boyhood days upon his father's farm in the State of his nativity. His education was acquitted in the public schools of Brownsboro, after which he attended Laurel Hill Academy, and subsequently became a student in Washington College, one of the pioneer colleges of the country. It was founded in 1772, by Rev. Samuel Doak, D. D., of Princeton College. He came to Tennessee, and preached his first sermon while sitting on a horse. This was in the early days, when the country was still an almost unbroken wilderness.

Our subject has in his possession a portrait, which was taken by the artist through the keyhole of the door, as the old Doctor was very averse to having his likeness taken. Dr. Brobeck remained in Washington College for about three years as a Latin student, and afterward studied in Greenville and Tusculum Colleges.

The Doctor began reading medicine under the eminent practitioner, Dr. Alex Brabson, of Limestone, Tenn., who was an own cousin of his mother, and began to practice while under the direction of Dr. Brabson, continuing his connection with the gentleman for a period of four years. In the fall of 1883, Dr. Brobeck became a student in the medical department of the University of Louisville, Ky., from which he was graduated in 1885. He stood among the foremost in his class, which numbered seventy-six. On leaving school, he returned home and again took up practice, continuing until 1885, when he came to Illinois. October 28, 1886, the Doctor married Miss D. A. Pruitt, daughter of Joseph and Augusta (Hind) Pruitt. Two children have been born of this union, both daughters, Nellie E. and Hazel.

On coming to this State, Dr. Brobeck located at Wellington, where he has since resided. His skill and ability have won for him a high reputation and secured him a liberal patronage, which he well deserves. His neat and well-appointed office is supplied with the finest instruments used in surgery. He also has a compressed air apparatus used in catarrhal and respiratory diseases, and an excellent physician's microscope, manufactured in London. He has one of the finest medical libraries to be found in Central Illinois, and his table is always supplied with the leading medical journals and periodicals. He is a constant student of his profession, a tireless worker, and his skill is duly recognized by his professional brethren. The obstacles and difficulties in his path he has overcome by indefatigable labor and perseverance. In manner, the Doctor is a courteous and affable gentleman, who wins friends wherever he goes. In politics, he is a stalwart Republican, having supported that party since he cast his first Presidential vote for R. B. Hayes. When he came to Illinois he was one of the Trustees of Washington College. Himself and wife are both members of the Presbyterian Church, in which the Doctor serves as Elder. This honorable, upright life has won him universal esteem and he is numbered among the county's best citizens.

2. Census in 1900 in Wellington, Iroquois, IL. ⁶ The 1900 census recorded Alexander Brobeck, doctor, 47, born Jan 1853, living with wife Dollie, 32, May 1868; daughters Nellie, 9, Dec 1891, and Yzel, 8, Dec 1892; and son James, 5, Dec 1895. Alexander and his parents were born in Tennessee. Dollie, her parents, and her children were born in Illinois. Alexander and Dollie were married for 15 years and she had birthed 3 children all alive in 1900.

3. Census in 1910 in Hoopeston, Vermilion, IL. ⁷ The 1910 census recorded owning a home at 748 Penn Street: Alexander L. Brobeck, 57, living with wife Dollie, 49; daughter Zazel, 18; son James V., 16; and brother John Brobeck, 46. Alexander and John and their parents were born in Tennessee. Dollie was born in Illinois, her father in Ohio and mother in Michigan. The children were born in Illinois. Alexander and Dollier were married for 20 years and she had birthed 3 children, all alive in 1910.

4. Census in 1920 in Hoopeston, Vermilion, IL. ⁸ The 1920 census recorded owning a home at 748 East Penn Street: Alexander L. Brobeck, physician, 63, living with wife Dollie A., 50. Alexander and his parents were born in Tennessee. Dollie was born in Illinois, her parents in Michigan.

5. Census in 1930 in Hoopeston, Vermilion, IL. ⁹ The 1930 census recorded owning a $4000 home at 748 E. Penn Street: Alexander Brobeck, doctor, general practice, 76, living with wife Dallie [sic] A. Brobeck, 66. Alexander was married at age 33 and Dollie A. at 18. Alexander and his parents were born in Tennessee. Dollie was born in Illinois, her father in Indiana and mother in Michigan.

6. Occupation: physician on 16 Jan 1939 in Hoopeston, Vermilion, IL. ⁵

7. Obituary: St. Louis Star and Times: Aged Illinois Doctor Dies on 17 Jan 1939 in Saint Louis, St. Louis, MO. ⁴ DANVILLE, ILL., Jan 17. -- Dr. Alexander Brobeck, 88, eastern Illinois' oldest practicing physician, was dead today. He was born in Limeston, Tenn., and was graduated from Washington Medical College, St. Louis, and the Kentucky School of Medicine, Louisville.

Alexander married Dollie Alice Pruitt, daughter of Joseph Austin Pruitt and Augusta Lydia Hurd, on 28 Oct 1886 in , Iroquois, IL.^{1 2} (Dollie Alice Pruitt was born on 2 May 1868 in Wellington, Iroquois, IL,¹⁰ died on 17 Nov 1948 ¹⁰ and was buried in Lovejoy Township: Floral Hill Cemetery, Iroquois, IL ¹⁰.)