Almena
Information provided by Howard Van De Wege
Dr. Rumsey came to Almena in the 1880’s. In 1889 Dr. Rumsey, with Dr. N. S. Jones and Dr. W. D. Little of Norton organized the first U. S. Pension Examining Board in Norton, KS. They met every week for many years and examined hundreds of Civil War soldiers. Dr. Cole, Dr. Lathrop, and Dr. Finney served with him at different times examining Spanish-American and World War soldiers as well. The Board was abolished, but he continued serving as a single examiner. He served on the county high school board and was elected and served as County Commissioner.
Dr. F. B. Rumsey was born Feb. 16, 1862 in New York State and moved to Iowa with his father’s family.
He graduated from The School of Medicine at Iowa City, IA on Mar. 6, 1883. He joined the Masonic Lodge in Almena in 1890 and remained in good standing until his death in 1940.
Dr. F. B. Rumsey married Florence G. Borchers at Hamburg, IA Feb. 6, 1884. Their son, Fred Borchers Rumsey, was born Feb. 16, 1885, and died July 2, 1917. Florence died July 28, 1886. Dr. Rumsey married Ella S. Guilford on Mar. 19, 1887. Their daughter, Hazel Mary Rumsey, was born Nov. 27, 1890. Ella Rumsey died Dec. 3, 1897. Dr. Rumsey married Sadie Bobst on June 8, 1898, and they had two children; Esther Marie Rumsey, b. Nov. 2, 1899, d. July 2, 1977, and George C. Rumsey, b. May 26, 1903. Dr. F. B. Rumsey died Feb. 24, 1940, and Sadie Rumsey died Dec. 10, 1953.