Dr. William Henry Esser

Indian War

Dr. William H. Esser was a physician and surgeon who resided at 353 Third and May Streets.
In a 1919 Monitor ad William T. (note that middle name is actually Henry) Esser, a doctor is listed.
Information above is from the 1981 Manning Centennial history book which had "T" incorrectly listed as Dr. Esser's middle initial.
It is actually William Henry Esser.

The Centennial book also incorrectly listed Dr. Esser as serving in the Spanish American War.

William Henry Esser was born on May 9, 1857, in Gusdorf, County Dussledorf, Rhine Province, Germany. He died on June 6, 1943, at Carroll. He was orphaned at age 11 and then emigrated to America with an uncle and arrived in New York May 5, 1869, aboard the ship Crimbria. He settled in Arlington, Minnesota. As a young man he worked as a school teacher. In 1877 he left Minnesota and traveled west. He was at Fort Warren in August 1879 where he joined Troop 4 of the 5th Calvary. He was wounded fighting the Ute Indians at Meeker, County and later served at Fort Apache, Arizona. He was discharged on August 20, 1889. He attended Rush Medical College in Chicago and graduated in 1891.

William married Frances Viola Salisbury in Scott County, Minnesota, on November 5, 1884. Frances died on October 11, 1921, in Manning. They resided in Peterson, Iowa, until 1914 when they moved to Manning.

They had three children, Adeline, Harold, and William.

Adeline Cordelia was born on October 23, 1885, at Ft. Apache, Arizona - never married.

Harold Francis was born in 1893. He was accidentally hanged on May 7, 1897, at Peterson, Iowa.

William Tecumseh was born on January 29, 1892, at Peterson, Iowa. He married Johanna Rothfolk on January 12, 1916. He served in the Army from March 25, 1912, to April 17, 1914. He served a second time from June 20, 1918, to February 4, 1919. William and Johanna lived in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with daughter Margaret in the 1920s. In the 1930s they lived in San Francisco, California where his occupation was salesman. William died on April 5, 1936, at Tucson, Arizona.

William and Johanna had 3 children, Margaret, Harold, and William Arthur.

Margaret Frances was born on October 28, 1916. She first married Harold Kellogg on September 1, 1935, at Manning and they had Cora Jo who died young. They were divorced on May 4, 1942. Margaret then married Marion Meek on March 15, 1943, at Carbondale, Illinois. Marion died and then Margaret married Earl Rumbaugh on August 31, 1964, and they had no children. Margaret died November 30, 1992, in Des Moines. Harold was born on May 21, 1921, at Manning. He married Carabel Hunt. William Arthur was born March 27, 1933, and died December 28, 1945.


commemorative medal for William's service during the Indian Wars.

Official document acknowledging that William receives the Purple Heart
War Department - The Adjutant General's Office - March 23, 1933
The Secretary of War directs that a Purple Heart, engraved with the name of the recipient, to be issued to Mr. William Esser, Manning, Carroll County, Iowa
on account of wound received in action September 29, 1879, while serving as a Private, Troop F, 5th United States Cavalry.
Adjutant General


Memorabilia of an Indian's pouch that William saved from the Indian Wars.

William standing near a monument (hard to read) that has his and several others who served in a battle.
This monument is thought to be near Prescott, Arizona.

Esser information and pictures from Chris Meek

Dr. Esser Receives Word From Son In Arizona Hospital
Dr. William Esser recently received word from his son, William T. Esser who is a patient at the U.S. Veterans' Hospital for tuberculosis, Tucson, Arizona. He sent a menu for the regular diet for Christmas Day, Wednesday, December 25. The menu was as follows: Breakfast Oranges, Oatmeal, Eggs to Order, Toast, Bacon, Coffee-Tea-Milk.

Dinner: Consomme Julienne-Salted Wafers, Roast Turkey-Sage Dressing, Mashed Potatoes-Giblet Gravy, Cranberry Sauce, Olives-Celery, Curls-Pickles, Cauli-flower-Cheese Sauce, Spiced Apple Salad, Parkerhouse Rolls-Butter, Mint Ice Cream-Fruit Cake, Assorted Fruit-Salted Nuts, Coffee-Tea-Milk.

Supper: Vegetable Soup, Crackers, Cold Meat, Escalloped Potatoes, Buttered Beets, Lettuce-French Dressing, Bread-Butter, Banana Snowball, Coffee-Tea-Milk.

This menu was served to all patients in the hospital with the exception of those, who like Mr. Esser, were restricted to a liquid diet.

He reports that the food served in the hospital is splendid and that the very best care and attention are given by the doctors and nurses for the treatment and comfort of the patients.

On Christmas Day the American Legion Auxiliary of Tucson, presented each veteran with a gift, Mr. Esser receiving a fine leather writing portfolio.

The hospital building is a large and handsome structure built in Spanish style with roof gardens and patio. It is air cooled. Comfortable chairs and settees are about the patio for the convenience of patients able to be up and about and for their families and friends who visit them. Beautiful lawns and gardens surround the hospital.
January 2, 1936 Manning Monitor