Alfred Alphonso

One of Washington’s endearing doctors and businessmen was Dr. Alfred Alphonso.  The native of Berlin, Germany, was born on March 10, 1835.  His early years were spent in his native land, where his education culminated at the University of Heidelberg, Germany.  In 1861, he immigrated to America and settled in Chicago, where he followed his medical profession.

Two years later, Dr. Alphonso enlisted as “acting surgeon” in the 17th Illinois Cavalry and served one year.  Upon being wounded, he returned to Chicago and took up his profession again.

The following year, on November 1, 1864, he married Susan Catherine Kaesser, of St. Charles, IL.  His wife was born in 1846 (or 1847), a native of Baden, Germany.  Dr. Alphonso courted his wife-to-be throughout his Civil War service, as Mrs. Alphonso had all the love letters written by Dr. Alphonso during that period of time tied together and buried with her when she died in July 1929.  

Dr. Alphonso and his wife took up residency in Kane County for eight years and then moved to Ottawa, where they resided until 1875, when they moved to Washington.  Dr. Alphonso proceeded to open a small drug store in town.  In 1876, work was started on the building that he would occupy for the duration of his life, 105 Washington Square.

In 1877, Dr. Alphonso erected “the Washington Academy of Music” and was “extensively engaged in the music trade, and has, in a masterly manner, made an entire success….”  The Washington News notes that “A. Alphonso sells all the leading styles of pianos, organs and sewing machines….”  In 1888, a circulating library was established by Dr. Alphonso, who also supplied the books for “those who are fond of reading.”  

Life closed June 4, 1901, on this highly respected businessman and citizen at Mt. Pleasant, IA.  Suffering for more than a year with a cancer that had developed on his cheek, he had gone to Iowa to consult with specialists to see what might possibly be done to improve his health.  While there, he was stricken with paralysis, became unconscious, and died within a few hours.  His remains were returned to Washington for burial in Glendale Cemetery.

Desiring that the Alphonso Drug Store would continue, Clara Alphonso, a daughter of Dr. and Susan Alphonso, became the proprietor.  She had come with her parents to Washington when but five years of age and received her education in the local public schools.  She had worked as a bookkeeper and helper in her father’s store.  Clara managed the store during the final year of her father’s illness.  After his death, she reorganized her father’s business as “Dr. Alphonso Drug Company”. She continued to actively manage it successfully for an additional six years, until 1908, when Mrs. Alphonso sold the business. 

Besides the daughter, Clara, who later married a widower, John R. Best, Dr. Alfred and Susan Alphonso had three additional children:  Fernando Alphonso (who died in early childhood and was buried in Ottawa), Edwin (who moved to Sigourney, IA and later to Union, MO), and Ida (who became the third wife of John R. Best after the death, in 1919, of her sister.  By the time Mrs. Alphonso passed, only Ida was left to survive her.  She, too, had been one of Washington’s “most highly respected and loved citizens.”  Among other notable activities, she had helped to organize the Glendale Cemetery Association. She served as its president for several years.