Henry D. Esch, DC, was a student at the Palmer School of Chiropractic (PSC) in the early 1920s, and earned his "DC" and "PhC" from the Davenport institution in September 1923.1 He practiced for many years in his native Michigan and relocated the family to Arizona in 1947. Patriarch of an extended chiropractic family, his daughter and son-in-law, Drs. Lelia and Abe Schlabach, practiced with him in Phoenix for many years. "Lee" Schlabach, DC, is the "founding mother" of Palmer College of Chiropractic West; it was she who introduced the resolution to the Palmer College board of trustees to take over the ailing Northern California College of Chiropractic in 1980.2
Dr. Esch was a loyal Palmer graduate and often trekked to Davenport in August to attend the annual lyceums (homecomings) of the PSC. It was a fun-filled annual event that brought alumni to the Mississippi River town from around the globe. Dr. Esch often brought along his camera, and on one occasion, presumably in the late 1920s or 1930s (judging from the automobiles and attire), he captured a number of scenes from the festivities. Daughter Lelia Schlabach, DC, recently had the negatives developed, and kindly provided them to this writer. So, without further ado, here is a pictorial account of a day on campus and at the park during a Palmer lyceum, sometime long ago. (We think these photos were all taken about the same time).
Well, that's all for now, but stay tuned for the continuing adventures of B.J. of Davenport.
References
Esch, Henry D. Life Story of Henry D: An Autobiography. Phoenix AZ: the author, 1995.
Keating, Joseph C & Johnson, Claire D. From Pacific States to Palmer West: the short life and enduring influence of the Northern California College of Chiropractic. Chiropractic History 2001(June);21(1):51-70.
Keating JC. Shhh!!!... Radiophone station WOC is on the air: chiropractic broadcasting, 1922-1935. European Journal of Chiropractic 1995(Aug);43(2):21-37.
Keating JC. B.J. of Davenport: The Early Years of Chiropractic. Davenport IA: Association for the History of Chiropractic, 1997.
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