Donations to museum prompt look at Dr.'s life

The family of Mark Wetjen donated two leases, a business certificate, and a winter jacket once owned by Dr. L.F .Wagner, an early day physician in Harrington, to the Harrington Museum.

LaFayette F. Wagner, 28, married Ida A. Sierman on August 21, 1907 at Hope, Bonner County, Idaho. Since Dr. L.F. Wagner, formerly of St John, Washington, had purchased a half interest in the business of Dr. J.M. Gunning, the Wagners moved to Harrington following their marriage, where they continued to reside until Ida's death in 1951.

Dr. and Mrs. Wagner did not have children, but were very involved in their families, having taken in Jennie Wagner, his sister, for several years prior to her marriage to George Krumholz in 1912 at St. Francis of Assissi in Harrington. George was a partner with his brother, Frank, in a general store, Krumholz Brothers. George and Jennie moved to Fairmount, Minnesota and Dr. and Mrs. Wagner made trips to visit them, as well as Jennie coming to Harrington to visit her brother. Later the Krumholz family moved to Montana where George died in 1925. Dr. Wagner's nieces were quite fond of him and would come for visits from Douglas County, unfortunately one niece contracted typhoid fever and spent one vacation in bed. Mrs. Wagner enjoyed traveling and made visits to her father as well as enjoying her husband's education-based trips.

Dr. Wagner was heavily invested in the Harrington Wheat Belt, owning property and leasing it out, much the same as old Dr. Bonney did in the Odessa vicinity. If he saw the opportunity to make money or improve his holdings, he would buy and sell.

“Work Started on Wagner Residence. The contract for a new house for Dr. and Mrs. L.F. Wagner has been awarded to Klopher Brothers of Spokane who started work on the building Monday morning. The new house is to be a one-story structure of wood, with a full basement. There will be five rooms and a utility room; hard wood floors, and a fireplace; it will be air conditioned. E.J. Peterson of Spokane is architect. All of the interior details have not been completed, but the woodwork will be Philippine mahogany. A new garage will be built at the east side of the property. When the construction work is completed, the grounds will be graded and reseeded to lawn; a concrete retaining wall will be built at west edge of the grounds, and an automatic sprinkling system will be a part of the new yard. The house that was razed to make place for the new one, was built 41 to 42 years ago by Dr. L.F. Wagner. The new house is expected to be ready for occupancy in about two months, Dr. Wagner says.“ (Citizen: 8-01-1941). This then became their home which Ida enjoyed until her death in 1951. Dr. Wagner retired in 1966 and moved to Spokane where he died in 1975 at the age of 96. The couple were buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Spokane. Dr. Wagner consistently tried to increase his learning and credentials, having traveled to Budapest, Vienna in 1931 for studies, and to New York for post graduate work.