Dr. John A. Cole is now successfully engaged in chiropractic in Oakland, California, having embraced this science after many years of careful study and after having reached the conclusion that it is the method by which health may be restored in practically all cases heretofore treated by the drug and surgical method.
Dr. Cole was born in Barry county, Michigan, November 10, 1860, and after receiving his education in the district schools remained on the parental farm until 1882. At the age of twenty-two medical men declared that his life could not be prolonged a great while, and he therefore decided to devote the years which were left to him to the study of and search for health. His travels in this quest led him to all parts of western United States and he remained in Missouri for a short time before returning to his Michigan home. The latter part of the year 1882 and the year 1883 D. Cole devoted to the study of medicine under a brother-in-law, who was located in Kent county, Michigan. He later completed a business course in Professor Parson's Business College at Kalamazoo, but in 1892 went to Valley City, North Dakota, where he was engaged in telephone work. In 1901 he was engaged in the same line of work in Lewiston, Idaho, but during all these years gave most of his attention to the state of his health. He studied the various methods of drugless cures for diseases and in the spring of 1902 returned to North Dakota, where he remained for two years. In 1904 he went to Reno, Nevada, and lived in the mountains for four years, conducting experiments with nature cures, and continuing his studies, also cooperating for a part of that time with Dr. J. P. Bean and becoming more and more convinced of the value of drugless methods for the cure of the disease. In the fall of 1907 Dr. Cole located in the mountains, returning to California, where he built a cabin, studying nature and successfully demonstrating to himself a nature cure and studying Professor Babbit's philosophy of light and color. In February, 1910, he took an eastern trip and remained in that section of the country until June, then he went to Davenport, Iowa, and after a thorough investigation enrolled in the Palmer School of Chiropractic, chiropractic's fountain head.
To better understand the full meaning of this treatment and its import we quote what Dr. Palmer says himself as to chiropractic: "Chiropractic is the knowledge (not theory or belief) of philosophy of cause of disease, the science of knowing how and the art or ability to adjust it. The human brain is the dynamo where life currents are concentrated. The spinal cord and nerves are the purveyor of this mental force. If brain absorbs, spinal cord conveys, nerves transmit, and tissues, organs and viscera receive this life current. Health is the product. Body plus life equals health. Body minus life equals death. Disease is the abnormal fluctuation between these two quantities caused by varying degrees of pressure upon nerves, interfering with transmission. A chiropractor knows why, where and how to remove the 'pressure' and permit currents to continue transmission for the purpose of reconstructing disease to health. Health is the restoration of currents--not the stimulation or dimunition of how little does exist. Stop taking drugs; they are unnecessary. Avoid the knife; it is useless in ninety-five per cent of cases. If sick, no matter what or where your ailment (mild or severe), investigate. We can prove that chiropractic is right and applicable to your case. Consultation and spinal analysis free."
In September, 1911, Dr. Cole completed his studies. He came to Oakland about November 1st, 1911, and engaged as a practitioner, having ever since continued therein. Many have come to him, and he has seldom failed to obtain results by applying his method. Being himself an example of nature's cure of disease he can more readily understand his patients and has a sympathetic understanding of their ailments. He has adjusted many complicated cases where the patients themselves had despaired of ever regaining health, but soon those who intrusted themselves to his able hands found to their own astonishment that a turn for the better had set in and soon they were on the high road to recovery.
Dr. Cole is politically independent, preferring to follow his own judgment and supporting those candidates whom he considers of greatest value to the public without taking cognizance of their party affiliation. For twenty-eight years he has been a member of Unity Lodge, No. 407, I. O. O. F., of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Within but a few years chiropractic has come to the fore in a most remarkable way, and it is more and more accepted by the general public.
Past and Present of Alameda County California, Vol. II
Published in Chicago by The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company
1914
Pages 240-242
Transcribed by Linda Jackson 6/08/2008
Alameda County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
Copyright © 1996-2009; This Web page is sponsored by Supporters on behalf of the California portion of The USGenWeb Project by The Administrative Team of the CAGW. Although believed to be correct as presented, if you note any corrections, changes, additions, or find that any links provided on this page are not functioning properly please contact the Archive Coordinator for prompt attention to the matter.