Zachariah Nason

ZACHARIAH NASON, M. D. - Other men's services to the people and state can be measured by definite deeds, by dangers averted, by legislation secured, by institutions built, by commerce promoted. The work of a doctor is entirely estranged from these lines of enterprise, yet without his capable, health-giving assistance all other accomplishments would count for naught. Man's greatest prize on earth is physical health and health and vigor. Nothing deteriorates mental activity as quickly as prolonged sickness, hence the broad field for human helpfulness afforded in the medical profession. The successful doctor requires something more than mere technical training, he must be a man of broad human sympathy and genial kindliness, capable of inspiring hope and faith in the heart of his patient. Such a man is Dr. Zachariah Nason, one of the well known physicians and citizens of this part of Kansas. Dr. Nason was born November 27, 1855, in New Brunswick, Canada, and is the son of Ephraim and Elizabeth (Gray) Nason, the father having been born in New Brunswick and the mother in Nova Scotia. Ephraim Nason was a farmer by occupation. His grandfather, John Nason, and his great-grandfather, Lemuel Nason, were both natives of New Brunswick. The great-great-great-grandfather, John Nason, founded the family in this country, and made his home at New Buryport, Essex county, Massachusetts, previous to the Revolutionary war. He was a loyalist, sacrificing his belongings to the cause he believed to be just, and voluntarily exiling himself and his family in New Brunswick, Canada. He was the first blacksmith in that province. The family is of English origin.

Dr. Nason was educated in the common schools of New Brunswick and when a youth found employment in the various lumber camps of his neighborhood. With the idea of becoming an instructor he took two courses in the Provincial Normal School and afterwards taught for ten years in New Brunswick. When a young man he met with an accident which incapaciated[sic] him from manual labor and after due consideration he concluded to enter the medical profession. During the last six years of his teaching he employed all vacations and spare moments in studying medicine. In 1886 he became a member of the Sophomore class of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Baltimore, Maryland, and was graduated from that institution in 1888. Possessing a native gift for imparting knowledge, he was offered the position of teacher of obstetrics in the college of Physicians and Surgeons in Kansas City, before it became a part of the Kansas University. At the present time he is an instructor in obstetrics in the University of Kansas and is also obstetrician in Bethany Hospital.

Dr. Nason has a number of fraternal relations, being connected with all those medical organizations designed to promote the growth and advancement of the profession, namely the American, State and County Medical Societies. He is likewise a member of the Modern Woodmen, the National Union and the Select Knights. He is Republican in politics and is a zealous and valued member of the Baptist church.

Dr. Nason laid the foundation of a happy and congenial life companionship when on January 1, 1891, he was united in marriage to Nettie Maria Fleming, daughter of Robert and Lucy Fleming, of Bloomfield, New Brunswick, and sister of Fred Fleming, secretary of the Kansas Life Insurance Company. Their union has been blessed by the birth of six sons and daughters. Zelmer, the eldest child, died at the age of three months; the others are Robert Harold, Lucy Helen, Frances Eloise, Elizabeth Isabel and Zechariah Miles.

Doctor and Mrs. Nason are identified with the best social life of the city and their home is the abode of culture, refinement and hospitality.