Arthur Emanual Hertzler

Arthur Hertzler, known as the "Horse and Buggy Doctor" from his book by that title, graduated from Southwest Kansas College in Winfield and from there went to Northwestern University Medical School. After earning his medical degree, he came back to Kansas to practice. He moved his home from Moundridge to Halstead when the small town was hit by a tornado and he went there to assist.

While maintaining his practice in Halstead, he taught pathology, histology, surgery and gynecology at the University Medical College in Kansas City and later at the University of Kansas School of Medicine. His unconventionality earned him affection and respect from his students, who claimed his lectures were much more enlightening than other professors. He firmly believed that a good teacher should know a student's progress in class and he refused to give examinations, preferring to take his classes to baseball games in place of final exams. In 1938 he wrote the Horse and Buggy Doctor, a personal account of his experiences that was an instant best seller.

After more than 50 years of 18-hour days, "Pa" Hertzler retired in February 1946. The Hertzler Research Foundation, Agnes Hertzler Memorial Clinic, Kansas Health Museum and Halstead Hospital stand today as legacies of this outstanding Kansas country doctor.