Name: Reycraft, George Edwin (Dr.)
Age: 50
Date of Birth: 08/07/1875
Date of Death: 01/26/1925
Cemetery: Greenwood, Petoskey
Memo: Marker says DOB 1874
Section / Block / Lot: F / 84 / 13
Newspaper Obituary
* Refer to the Greenwood History File, "Early doctor in Petoskey, set standards for medical care."
The Greenwood Cemetery Genealogical Website contains a "History Memo" and History File, for the Doctors John and George Reycraft.
__________________________
BIOGRAPHY
Dr. George E. Reycraft was widely known as "Dr. George.” The people of Emmet County loved and revered him most for serving as their family physician––for being a friend to the poor. He was known for taking calls all over Northern Michigan, and at all hours of the day and night. His signature appears on many of Northern Michigan certificates, and even on the death certificate of Hiram Rose, the founder of Petoskey, Michigan.
The good doctor traveled for miles to save lives and deliver babies. Many of these were our parents––if not our parents, our grandparents––our loved ones who made up the Little Traverse Bay area in the 1950s. (Click on the photo for a story regarding one of his deliveries.)
Dr. George, like his brother Dr. John, served four times as Mayor of Petoskey, Michigan. Among his many civic accomplishments he improved the city's sanitation and roads. To the delight of many he formed the Petoskey (Horse & Buggy) Race Club at the old run down fair grounds and continually worked towards the betterment of the Emmet County Fair and the fair grounds at which it was held each year.
–––––––––––––––––––––––
Following an altercation over a patient who was not getting the treatment, Dr. George's brother, Dr. John, thought he should have received, a physical fight broke out. Dr. John ended up breaking the leg of the doctor who had refused to admit the railroad worker. The doctor had not only left the worker untreated, he had left him out of doors in the hot sun. The incident caused Dr. John to immediately stop using Lockwood Hospital. It was at that time, he and his brother, and another Lockwood physician, began using the Reycraft's family home at 204 Arlington Avenue, not only as their residence, but as an office and medical facility to treat patients.
When the Drs. Reycraft founded The Petoskey Hospital in 1919, they set it up in the Hotel Del Ray on Michigan and Emmet Street. The 25 bed hospital ran at this location for ten years, until 1919.
When larger quarters were needed, they purchased the Perry Hotel in 1919, but never ended up using it as a hospital. Local folks were not in favor of losing the Perry Hotel, so the doctors instead decided they'd purchase the Grand Hotel on West Lake Street and remodel it into a modern facility. This hospital, was also known as The Petoskey Hospital. It was in close proximity to the Mineral Well Park (what is now called Bear River Park and sits across from the present Petoskey City Municipal Building.
The original practice established with his brother, Dr. John Reycraft, was known and advertised as “Doctors Reycraft and Reycraft.” Dr. Dean Burns, the founder of Burns Clinic and North Central Michigan College, was influenced by Dr. George and his brother. At age fifteen, they took Dr. Dean Burns on as their apprentice.
The practice evolved into Little Traverse Hospital and was affiliated with the hospital owned Burns Clinic. Later it merged with Lockwood General Hospital and separated its ownership from Burns Clinic. Eventually Little Traverse Hospital became Northern Michigan Hospitals and merged with Lockwood General Hospital. Nowadays it is known as McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital, and Burns Clinic is Burns Medical Building with space rented out to private medical doctors and service businesses.
OBIITURARY EXCERPTS
The headlines in the Petoskey paper were said to scream: DEATH CLAIMS DR. GEORGE E. REYCRAFT. The subtitle read: "North Michigan's most widely Know and Best Like Physician Dies Unexpectedly.” He was only 51 years old.
The service were held at the First Methodist Episcopal Church in Petoskey. Ministers from three different churches officiated: The First Christian Church, The Mennonite Church, and the First Presbyterian Church.
He was survived by his mother, two brothers, and sister. His father, William, preceded him in death.
NOTE: CLICK ON PHOTOS FOR CAPTIONS
Age: 50
Date of Birth: 08/07/1875
Date of Death: 01/26/1925
Cemetery: Greenwood, Petoskey
Memo: Marker says DOB 1874
Section / Block / Lot: F / 84 / 13
Newspaper Obituary
* Refer to the Greenwood History File, "Early doctor in Petoskey, set standards for medical care."
The Greenwood Cemetery Genealogical Website contains a "History Memo" and History File, for the Doctors John and George Reycraft.
__________________________
BIOGRAPHY
Dr. George E. Reycraft was widely known as "Dr. George.” The people of Emmet County loved and revered him most for serving as their family physician––for being a friend to the poor. He was known for taking calls all over Northern Michigan, and at all hours of the day and night. His signature appears on many of Northern Michigan certificates, and even on the death certificate of Hiram Rose, the founder of Petoskey, Michigan.
The good doctor traveled for miles to save lives and deliver babies. Many of these were our parents––if not our parents, our grandparents––our loved ones who made up the Little Traverse Bay area in the 1950s. (Click on the photo for a story regarding one of his deliveries.)
Dr. George, like his brother Dr. John, served four times as Mayor of Petoskey, Michigan. Among his many civic accomplishments he improved the city's sanitation and roads. To the delight of many he formed the Petoskey (Horse & Buggy) Race Club at the old run down fair grounds and continually worked towards the betterment of the Emmet County Fair and the fair grounds at which it was held each year.
–––––––––––––––––––––––
Following an altercation over a patient who was not getting the treatment, Dr. George's brother, Dr. John, thought he should have received, a physical fight broke out. Dr. John ended up breaking the leg of the doctor who had refused to admit the railroad worker. The doctor had not only left the worker untreated, he had left him out of doors in the hot sun. The incident caused Dr. John to immediately stop using Lockwood Hospital. It was at that time, he and his brother, and another Lockwood physician, began using the Reycraft's family home at 204 Arlington Avenue, not only as their residence, but as an office and medical facility to treat patients.
When the Drs. Reycraft founded The Petoskey Hospital in 1919, they set it up in the Hotel Del Ray on Michigan and Emmet Street. The 25 bed hospital ran at this location for ten years, until 1919.
When larger quarters were needed, they purchased the Perry Hotel in 1919, but never ended up using it as a hospital. Local folks were not in favor of losing the Perry Hotel, so the doctors instead decided they'd purchase the Grand Hotel on West Lake Street and remodel it into a modern facility. This hospital, was also known as The Petoskey Hospital. It was in close proximity to the Mineral Well Park (what is now called Bear River Park and sits across from the present Petoskey City Municipal Building.
The original practice established with his brother, Dr. John Reycraft, was known and advertised as “Doctors Reycraft and Reycraft.” Dr. Dean Burns, the founder of Burns Clinic and North Central Michigan College, was influenced by Dr. George and his brother. At age fifteen, they took Dr. Dean Burns on as their apprentice.
The practice evolved into Little Traverse Hospital and was affiliated with the hospital owned Burns Clinic. Later it merged with Lockwood General Hospital and separated its ownership from Burns Clinic. Eventually Little Traverse Hospital became Northern Michigan Hospitals and merged with Lockwood General Hospital. Nowadays it is known as McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital, and Burns Clinic is Burns Medical Building with space rented out to private medical doctors and service businesses.
OBIITURARY EXCERPTS
The headlines in the Petoskey paper were said to scream: DEATH CLAIMS DR. GEORGE E. REYCRAFT. The subtitle read: "North Michigan's most widely Know and Best Like Physician Dies Unexpectedly.” He was only 51 years old.
The service were held at the First Methodist Episcopal Church in Petoskey. Ministers from three different churches officiated: The First Christian Church, The Mennonite Church, and the First Presbyterian Church.
He was survived by his mother, two brothers, and sister. His father, William, preceded him in death.
NOTE: CLICK ON PHOTOS FOR CAPTIONS
Name: Reycraft, George Edwin (Dr.)
Age: 50
Date of Birth: 08/07/1875
Date of Death: 01/26/1925
Cemetery: Greenwood, Petoskey
Memo: Marker says DOB 1874
Section / Block / Lot: F / 84 / 13
Newspaper Obituary
* Refer to the Greenwood History File, "Early doctor in Petoskey, set standards for medical care."
The Greenwood Cemetery Genealogical Website contains a "History Memo" and History File, for the Doctors John and George Reycraft.
__________________________
BIOGRAPHY
Dr. George E. Reycraft was widely known as "Dr. George.” The people of Emmet County loved and revered him most for serving as their family physician––for being a friend to the poor. He was known for taking calls all over Northern Michigan, and at all hours of the day and night. His signature appears on many of Northern Michigan certificates, and even on the death certificate of Hiram Rose, the founder of Petoskey, Michigan.
The good doctor traveled for miles to save lives and deliver babies. Many of these were our parents––if not our parents, our grandparents––our loved ones who made up the Little Traverse Bay area in the 1950s. (Click on the photo for a story regarding one of his deliveries.)
Dr. George, like his brother Dr. John, served four times as Mayor of Petoskey, Michigan. Among his many civic accomplishments he improved the city's sanitation and roads. To the delight of many he formed the Petoskey (Horse & Buggy) Race Club at the old run down fair grounds and continually worked towards the betterment of the Emmet County Fair and the fair grounds at which it was held each year.
–––––––––––––––––––––––
Following an altercation over a patient who was not getting the treatment, Dr. George's brother, Dr. John, thought he should have received, a physical fight broke out. Dr. John ended up breaking the leg of the doctor who had refused to admit the railroad worker. The doctor had not only left the worker untreated, he had left him out of doors in the hot sun. The incident caused Dr. John to immediately stop using Lockwood Hospital. It was at that time, he and his brother, and another Lockwood physician, began using the Reycraft's family home at 204 Arlington Avenue, not only as their residence, but as an office and medical facility to treat patients.
When the Drs. Reycraft founded The Petoskey Hospital in 1919, they set it up in the Hotel Del Ray on Michigan and Emmet Street. The 25 bed hospital ran at this location for ten years, until 1919.
When larger quarters were needed, they purchased the Perry Hotel in 1919, but never ended up using it as a hospital. Local folks were not in favor of losing the Perry Hotel, so the doctors instead decided they'd purchase the Grand Hotel on West Lake Street and remodel it into a modern facility. This hospital, was also known as The Petoskey Hospital. It was in close proximity to the Mineral Well Park (what is now called Bear River Park and sits across from the present Petoskey City Municipal Building.
The original practice established with his brother, Dr. John Reycraft, was known and advertised as “Doctors Reycraft and Reycraft.” Dr. Dean Burns, the founder of Burns Clinic and North Central Michigan College, was influenced by Dr. George and his brother. At age fifteen, they took Dr. Dean Burns on as their apprentice.
The practice evolved into Little Traverse Hospital and was affiliated with the hospital owned Burns Clinic. Later it merged with Lockwood General Hospital and separated its ownership from Burns Clinic. Eventually Little Traverse Hospital became Northern Michigan Hospitals and merged with Lockwood General Hospital. Nowadays it is known as McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital, and Burns Clinic is Burns Medical Building with space rented out to private medical doctors and service businesses.
OBIITURARY EXCERPTS
The headlines in the Petoskey paper were said to scream: DEATH CLAIMS DR. GEORGE E. REYCRAFT. The subtitle read: "North Michigan's most widely Know and Best Like Physician Dies Unexpectedly.” He was only 51 years old.
The service were held at the First Methodist Episcopal Church in Petoskey. Ministers from three different churches officiated: The First Christian Church, The Mennonite Church, and the First Presbyterian Church.
He was survived by his mother, two brothers, and sister. His father, William, preceded him in death.
NOTE: CLICK ON PHOTOS FOR CAPTIONS
Age: 50
Date of Birth: 08/07/1875
Date of Death: 01/26/1925
Cemetery: Greenwood, Petoskey
Memo: Marker says DOB 1874
Section / Block / Lot: F / 84 / 13
Newspaper Obituary
* Refer to the Greenwood History File, "Early doctor in Petoskey, set standards for medical care."
The Greenwood Cemetery Genealogical Website contains a "History Memo" and History File, for the Doctors John and George Reycraft.
__________________________
BIOGRAPHY
Dr. George E. Reycraft was widely known as "Dr. George.” The people of Emmet County loved and revered him most for serving as their family physician––for being a friend to the poor. He was known for taking calls all over Northern Michigan, and at all hours of the day and night. His signature appears on many of Northern Michigan certificates, and even on the death certificate of Hiram Rose, the founder of Petoskey, Michigan.
The good doctor traveled for miles to save lives and deliver babies. Many of these were our parents––if not our parents, our grandparents––our loved ones who made up the Little Traverse Bay area in the 1950s. (Click on the photo for a story regarding one of his deliveries.)
Dr. George, like his brother Dr. John, served four times as Mayor of Petoskey, Michigan. Among his many civic accomplishments he improved the city's sanitation and roads. To the delight of many he formed the Petoskey (Horse & Buggy) Race Club at the old run down fair grounds and continually worked towards the betterment of the Emmet County Fair and the fair grounds at which it was held each year.
–––––––––––––––––––––––
Following an altercation over a patient who was not getting the treatment, Dr. George's brother, Dr. John, thought he should have received, a physical fight broke out. Dr. John ended up breaking the leg of the doctor who had refused to admit the railroad worker. The doctor had not only left the worker untreated, he had left him out of doors in the hot sun. The incident caused Dr. John to immediately stop using Lockwood Hospital. It was at that time, he and his brother, and another Lockwood physician, began using the Reycraft's family home at 204 Arlington Avenue, not only as their residence, but as an office and medical facility to treat patients.
When the Drs. Reycraft founded The Petoskey Hospital in 1919, they set it up in the Hotel Del Ray on Michigan and Emmet Street. The 25 bed hospital ran at this location for ten years, until 1919.
When larger quarters were needed, they purchased the Perry Hotel in 1919, but never ended up using it as a hospital. Local folks were not in favor of losing the Perry Hotel, so the doctors instead decided they'd purchase the Grand Hotel on West Lake Street and remodel it into a modern facility. This hospital, was also known as The Petoskey Hospital. It was in close proximity to the Mineral Well Park (what is now called Bear River Park and sits across from the present Petoskey City Municipal Building.
The original practice established with his brother, Dr. John Reycraft, was known and advertised as “Doctors Reycraft and Reycraft.” Dr. Dean Burns, the founder of Burns Clinic and North Central Michigan College, was influenced by Dr. George and his brother. At age fifteen, they took Dr. Dean Burns on as their apprentice.
The practice evolved into Little Traverse Hospital and was affiliated with the hospital owned Burns Clinic. Later it merged with Lockwood General Hospital and separated its ownership from Burns Clinic. Eventually Little Traverse Hospital became Northern Michigan Hospitals and merged with Lockwood General Hospital. Nowadays it is known as McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital, and Burns Clinic is Burns Medical Building with space rented out to private medical doctors and service businesses.
OBIITURARY EXCERPTS
The headlines in the Petoskey paper were said to scream: DEATH CLAIMS DR. GEORGE E. REYCRAFT. The subtitle read: "North Michigan's most widely Know and Best Like Physician Dies Unexpectedly.” He was only 51 years old.
The service were held at the First Methodist Episcopal Church in Petoskey. Ministers from three different churches officiated: The First Christian Church, The Mennonite Church, and the First Presbyterian Church.
He was survived by his mother, two brothers, and sister. His father, William, preceded him in death.
NOTE: CLICK ON PHOTOS FOR CAPTIONS
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