Reedsville Vet Makes His Mark
Invention is the lifeblood of successful entrepreneurs. It breeds new ideas and changes the way our world works. As our communities moved into the mid-1900s, pioneer ingenuity often led to industrialization. While local entrepreneurs such as William Rahr, J.E. Hamilton, and Henry Stolze are commonly looked upon as industry leaders in our community, many more individuals brought their own creations into practice, including a young Reedsville entrepreneur, Dr. A.H. Junge.
Dr. Arthur H. Junge became Reedsville’s first resident veterinarian when he came to the community in 1914 with his wife, Mabel. Junge was born February 15, 1890 in Random Lake. He was educated through 7th grade and as a young adult attended Grand Rapids Veterinary College in Michigan, graduating in 1912. Dr. Junge and Mabel (Klug) were married on December 30, 1914 in Alverno and settled in the Reedsville community around that time. A History of Reedsville booklet, compiled in 1976, wrote, “Dr. Junge has a lot of competition because people were accustomed to calling in the older men in the community to doctor their horses and would have no part of a ‘young feller’. Dr. bought his first horse and buggy in 1914 but when the train came through town, the horse became frightened and broke the buggy, harness and all.”
Upon his arrival in Reedsville, Junge had to use a horse and buggy to make his rounds and in winter he used a cutter to navigate in the snow. He was able to purchase a Model T in 1915, but in the winter he used his faithful horse, Queenie”, which had “the speed of a race horse”, according to a letter his daughter Laverne wrote and donated to the Manitowoc County Historical Society in 1999.
Junge operated his veterinary services out of the family’s home on Manitowoc Street. Dr. Junge, Mabel, and their daughter, Laverne, became very active in Reedsville area community. Arthur and Mabel became active members of Friedens United Church of Christ in Reedsville. Arthur also served on the Board of Education for 12 years and as Village trustee for 6 years.
In 1935, Junge filed with the United States Patent Office for a new veterinary instrument. “My invention relates to a veterinary instrument of the obstetrical type for use in connection with cows and mares. It is well known that a calf … lies on its breast within the uterus but due to the fact that it rolls on its back, or nearly so, it takes the uterus along with it resulting in the twisting …of the uterus neck whereby the alter is closed to parturition. It is the aim of my invention to overcome the objection referred to, and to this end, my invention resides in the providing, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, means for removing the twist or torsion in the neck of the uterus, as well as positioning the calf or fetus in a normal anterior presentation or a posterior presentation.… .”
As Dr. Junge looked to retire in 1961, he brought Dr. A. C. Buchner to take over his successful veterinary practice. After learning the ropes at the practice, Buchner took over operations and Junge enjoyed his retirement with many days spent at Pigeon Lake. Junge was awarded the Honorary Service Award in recognition of his years of service to the veterinary profession from the Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association in 1965.
Dr. Junge passed away June 10, 1984 in Manitowoc. His dedication and ingenuity led to a patent on a new veterinary instrument and left a lasting legacy for the families he served.