Vertical File Biographies

This is an individual biography from the vertical file of biographical information, primarily newspaper clippings, created by the Kansas State Histocial Society Library and Archives division. This is a concise version--there may be more information in this or other sources.

Dr. G.K. Janes

Dr. G.K. Janes, a country doctor with a practice in Williamsburg, celebrated his seventy-sixth birthday and fifty-two years of practice March 10, 1936 at a surprise party held at the high school. More than 300 of his friends were there for the event. Dr. Janes had been working earlier in the evening quarantining scarlet fever cases and came to the school to attend a “special farm meeting.”

Dr. Janes was born in Palmyra, Missouri, in 1860 and soon after moved to Honeywell, Missouri, where he grew up. He started medical school in Keokuk, Iowa, in 1882, but later transferred to Missouri Medical College in St. Louis where he graduated on March 4, 1884. On March 11, he moved to Williamsburg, Kansas, where he has lived ever since.

When he first started practice Dr. Janes answered calls on horseback and graduated to horse and buggy when the roads improved. In 1903, he bought his first car, a one-cylinder contraption.

During his fifty-two years of practice, Dr. Janes delivered about 3000 babies including one set of triplets and many sets of twins. The first boy and girl that he delivered attended the surprise event.

Two notable experiences recalled by the doctor were the first grippe epidemic and the first smallpox epidemic that he handled. At one time he was in his buggy, day and night for three days caring for those with the grippe. He went to sleep in his buggy and when he woke up, he was so exhausted that he could not remember what case he was to handle next. Another time he was isolated from his family for six weeks while caring for smallpox victims in an orphan’s home at now deserted Silkville, Kansas.
Although he has been busy with his medical work, Dr. Janes has found time to serve on the school board from 1896 to the present with only one year’s absence. The high school in Williamsburg and most of the roads in Franklin County were built as a direct result of his efforts.

Source:
“Tribute To A Physician,” Kansas City Times, 12 March 1936.

The vertical file is on forty-three microfilm reels arranged alphabetically by name. These reels are available through interlibrary loan, or you may contact the reference staff . Please note that many of the clippings had yellowed and it may be impossible to produce a readable photocopy.

Completion of this biography was made possible by volunteer Frank Sotrines.