Dr. E. M. Kersten, founder of the Kersten Clinic in Fort Dodge, erected
this large Snell Place residence at 712 Crest Ave. in 1924 and it was
occupied by members of the Kersten family until 1959.
Dr. Kersten, a widely-known surgeon, came to Fort Dodge in 1916 and
practiced here until 1957 with the exception of two years he was in
service during World War I with the American Expeditionary Forces in
France. He was a first lieutenant in the Medical Corps in charge of
Field Hospital No. 34 overseas.
The two-story brick home has an interior arrangement that includes entry
hall, living room, dining room and kitchen on the first floor; four
bedrooms and bath on the second floor. There is also a family room on
the landing halfway up the stairway to the second floor. The third floor
attic has two large rooms used for recreation by the family. Years ago
an amateur (ham) radio unit was installed there and operated
extensively.
The home is now owned and occupied by Fred Breen, Fort Dodge attorney,
and his wife. They acquired it in 1972.
Dr. Kersten was born in 1892 in De Pere, Wis., a suburb of Green Bay.
After attending schools there he enrolled in Marquette University’s
Medical School and graduated in 1913. He began practice in Two Rivers,
Wis., and remained there until 1916 when he came to Fort Dodge.
He was married in 1917 and he and Mrs. Kersten were parents of five
children—all of whom were reared in the Crest Avenue home. They are Drs.
Herbert, Paul and John Kersten of Fort Dodge; Don Kersten, Fort Dodge
attorney; and Mrs. William (Frances Anne) Wolfe of Chicago.
Following World War I service, Dr. Kersten returned to Fort Dodge and
entered into medical practice with Dr. F. E. Seymour with offices in the
Snell Building. Later he officed in the Carver Building until founding
the Kersten Clinic in 1952. His three doctor sons joined him in the
clinic’s medical staff after it was founded.
[Illustration: The Kersten home
712 Crest Avenue]
Dr. Kersten was one of the state’s prominent surgeons during the more
than 40 years he practiced here and was a member of professional groups
during this time. He was associated with the clinic until his death in
1957 at age 65.