(Uncle of the contributor, Richard N. Heywood
See Also:
Joseph Neal Heywood, Pioneer Doctor
By Bess Ericksen White Mountain Independent, Apr 20 1976
Snowflake’s history could hardly
be told without including the life and services of Dr. J. Neal Heywood, who
served this community and all the little communities along Silver Creek for
over 36 years as their medical doctor, and cherished friend. Many of his calls were made on horseback
before the advent of the automobile, on roads that were non-existent.
But with all the years of
struggle as a country doctor, underpaid or never paid, and overworked, he still
found time for the beautiful in life.
“Snowflake was his love,” was written on a card of floral offerings at
his funeral services. And that love of
his “hometown” never left him even though in his later life with eye-sight
failing and strength declining, he was forced to move to Mesa to a warmer
climate.
“He lived in a house by the side
of the road and was a friend of man,” could well exemplify his life. Three things he loved: His family and friends, love of knowledge, and love of beauty. His love of fellowmen was only a little less
than his love of family…the long-forgotten call of service that he rendered to
those in distress, no matter the weather or the darkness of the night, and
which found him there whether or not the patient could pay for the call.
His love of knowledge began as a
small child at his mother’s knee. He was
born in Spring Valley, Lincoln Co., Nevada, October 23, 1876, and was brought
to Alpine in 1880 where he experienced some of the most rugged conditions of
Pioneering as he grew up. He attended
the little one-room school, and it was here he first learned to love
knowledge. He longed to know more. During these early years of manhood he served
as a missionary in Texas, returning home just before the death of his
father. He assumed his father’s place
providing for and helping with the rearing of the younger brothers and
sisters. To do this, he entered the
teaching profession. At 19 he attended
Brigham Young Academy and returned after two years to take a teaching position
at Amnity, Greer, St. Johns, Central and Layton. He also taught a year at Thatcher and was
principal there seven years. He served
as principal in Snowflake for many years.
He served on the Snowflake School Board for many years also.
But that did not satisfy his
thirst for knowledge, when the time came that he felt he was free enough to
launch out for himself, even though he had a young family of his own to care
for, he moved to Los Angeles and began the difficult struggle to prepare for
the practice of medicine.
After receiving his medical
degree in 1915 he practiced in Thatcher, ST. Johns and Snowflake, making
Snowflake his permanent home. But still
his quest for learning continued even into his reclining years, until his
eyesight became so dim he could no longer distinguish the written word. With his mind still alert and keen he
remained a devout listener.
Dr. Heywood was health officer 25
years for Navajo County and served for nearly 20 years a medical physician for
the Snowflake Maternity Hospital. He was
credited with delivering more than 3,000 babies in Navajo County. He also helped establish the Snowflake water
system, and planted trees around the water tank—these trees are now beautiful
tall trees, a living tribute to his untiring efforts. The first immunization program in Navajo
County was under his direction and skill.
During World War I he was
appointed superintendent of the State Industrial School for Boys at Ft. Grant
and had sever 13 years on the State Welfare Board.
Dr. Heywood knew first hand the
heartache and pain of losing loved ones.
Many he tried with all his skill to save, but was not successful. Those were the discouraging times. When death touched his family, he lost his
beautiful young wife, who died, leaving three small children for Neal to care
for. Later he married a brilliant young
Danish Woman, Emma Fredrickson, an English teacher at Snowflake High School,
and they were parents to five children.
His love of beauty had no bounds—he loved winter’s cloak…Spring’s awakenings
belonged to him…every tree, bush, shrub, flower, he knew, and summer and fall
each had its season for his love of nature was for all. After his retirement, he gave generously o
his knowledge of growing things, and served for many years, almost without pay,
as gardener for the Church. He
introduced many beautiful trees, flowers, shrubs, and plants into the area, and
gave generously to those around him. His
dream was to have Snowflake as the “Dahlia Capitol of the State.” His fame spread far and wide as people
stopped to walk around the Church grounds.
He bought many beautiful varieties of iris and every spring the yards
were alive with color. His tall, erect
figure, with snowy white hair will long be remembered around Snowflake, but
more than that, Snowflakers will remember his kindness, gentleness and patience
in time of suffering, and those in outlying ranches will never forget those
nights he came, often on horseback, to help when it seemed impossible. He was a man of his word—and it didn’t matter
what personal sacrifice it cost him to get to his patients.
Dr. Heywood was featured in the
Ladies Home Journal in the late 1930 for his work as an outstanding “country
doctor.” And what better example could
they use. He died Feb. 20, 1968 at age
92 and was buried by his beautiful young wife in Thatcher. He truly lived the first commandment: “To love the Lord, with all his heart, mind
and soul; and his neighbor as himself.”
No comments:
Post a Comment