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THOMAS D. PALMER, M.D.
Vol. 5, p. 1907-1908

The professional activities of Dr. Thomas D. Palmer have spanned
fifteen years of Oklahoma history, during which time he has achieved
distinction and material success in his calling. Since his arrival at
Elk City, in 1911, he has won the confidence of a large practice, not
through any of the methods of the charlatan, but by reason of large
professional skill and a devotion to the best ethics and standards of
his honored vocation.

Doctor Palmer was born at Plymouth, Illinois, May 31, 1877 and is a
son of A. S. and Phoebe (KENNEDY) Palmer. The family originated in
England, from whence the first American ancestor emigrated during
colonial days, and subsequently the family branched out from the
original settlement, the direct ancestor of Doctor Palmer taking up
his residence in Illinois. In that state at Plymouth, Hancock County,
A. S. Palmer was born in 1851. A farmer and stock raiser throughout
his life, he continued to reside at Plymouth until 1900, then moving
to Topeka, Kansas, where his death occurred four years later. He was
active in the affairs of the Christian Church, being a member of the
official board in his own town for many years, an din political and
civic matters also took an active participation, holding various
offices within the gift of his fellow-citizens, acting as county
treasurer of Hancock County, Illinois, for several years, and
generally acquitting himself in a commendable manner in all of life's
affairs. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity. Mr. Palmer
married Miss Phoebe Kennedy, who was born at Plymouth, Illinois, in
1853, and died at Kansas City, Missouri, in 1909, and they became the
parents of six children, namely: Dr. Thomas D.; Ida May, who married
George GRIGSON, purchasing agent for the Rock Island Railroad to
Kansas City, Missouri; Fluta, who married Otto AHRENS, private
secretary to Henry C. Frick, the American coke and steel manufacturer
of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Edward, coal weigher for the Rock Island
Railroad at Kansas City, Missouri; his twin, Edwin, a linotype
machine operator for the Kansas City Star, at Kansas City, Missouri;
and Carl, also a linotype operator of Kansas City.

Thomas D. Palmer attended the public schools of Plymouth, Illinois,
where he was duly graduated from the high school in the class of
1883. He was reared on his father's farm, where he continued to
reside until attaining his majority, but it was not his desire to
follow an agricultural career, and in 1896 he entered the Kansas City
Medical College and completed his studies there in 1901, being
graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. In 1906 he took a
post-graduate course at the Chicago College of Physicians and
Surgeons, in 1908 at the Chicago Polyclinic, and in 1910 at Fisher's
School, Chicago, where he specialized in diseases of the eye, ear,
nose and throat. At the time he received his degree, in 1901, Doctor
Palmer came to Oklahoma, it being his belief that this state offered
an excellent field for the young and ambitious professional man. His
first location was a Cherokee, where he remained until 1907, then
going to Ingersoll, where he remained until 1911, and where he served
one term as city treasurer in addition to carrying on his practice,
and then in 1911 came to Elk City, which has continued to be his
home. Here he is connected with the firm of TEDROWE, TISDAL & PALMER,
owner of the Frances Hospital, one of the modern institutions in this
part of the state. Doctor Palmer maintains offices on Main Street,
and while his practice is general in its character it is perhaps as a
specialist in diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, that he has
gained his best reputation. Possessed in general measure of the
qualities which make the personally popular as well as financially
successful physician and surgeon, he has made a name as a careful,
conscientious and thoroughly skilled devotee of his profession. He
keeps in close touch with the professional brotherhood, belonging to
the Beckham County Medical Society, the Oklahoma State Medical
Society, the American Medical Association and the Southwestern
Medical Society. His fraternal connections are with Elk City Lodge
No. 182, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, with the Knights Templar,
and with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of Elk City. In
politics he is a democrat.

Doctor Palmer was married in 1911, at Oklahoma City, to Miss Mary K.
SPELLMAN, of Hempstead, Long Island, New York. They have no children.

SOURCE: Thoburn, Joseph B., A Standard History of Oklahoma, An
Authentic Narrative of its Development, 5 v. (Chicago, New York: The
American Historical Society, 1916).

Transcribed for OKGenWeb by Peg Luce, April 2001.