Kate Stevens Harpel

Kate Stevens Harpel (October 22, 1867 – May 13, 1950) was an American educator, physician, and civic leader. Born in Illinois, her family moved to Iowa when she was an infant. Harpel began her career as a teacher and high school principal before serving on the Perry board of education. After earning a medical degree from Drake University, she established a medical practice in Boone. Harpel was elected president of the Iowa Society of Medical Women and participated in statewide public health campaigns. She held leadership positions and was active in several civic, professional, and suffrage organizations.

Early life and education Kate Stevens was born in McHenry County, Illinois, on October 22, 1867. Her parents were Asher M. and Johanna (Chesley) Stevens. Her paternal grandmother, who before marriage was Julia Kellogg, was a granddaughter of an officer of the American Revolution and a member of the Kellogg family, remembered in the history of U.S. and Great Britain.

Harpel was six months old when her family removed to Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, later settling on a farm in Owen Township. Her mother died in 1878, leaving seven children, the youngest of whom was three years old. Kate, with an older sister, did the housework for the family while attending the district school at the same time.

At the age of fifteen, Harpel moved to Mason City to attend high school, and lived with her aunt. She was no financial means or assistance except that she had a place where she could work for her board and expenses. She also worked as a supply teacher during her senior year. and served for three years, wherein she assisted in organizing the Wednesday Study Club, which continued to exist after she left her position on the board.

With her husband busy with his law practice, Harpel decided to study medicine. A misunderstanding arose in the minds of some from the fact that Harpel took a course of study at the Still College of Osteopathy additional to the regular course of study at the Iowa College of Physicians and Surgeons (Allopath). A newspaper article in The Perry Chief clarified that Harpel would practice medicine and not osteopathy; her studies in osteopathy were only for the purpose to further equip her in means of diagnosis and the judging as to the merits of osteopathy for particular cases, as one of the available remedies. Dr. Harpel, Dr. Jeannette Throckmorton, Dr. Velura Powell, Miss Esse Hathaway (upper row, l-r); Dr. Josephine Rust, Dr. Lenna Meanes, Dr. Nelle Noble, Dr. Mae Habenicht (lower row, l-r) (1919) Harpel relocated to Boone in 1903. Eight years later, she was elected president of the Iowa Society of Medical Women.

Subsequent to World War I, the government asked women to cooperate during January and February 1919 in a campaign for social hygiene. A lecture tour covering Iowa cities of over 10,000 inhabitants was organized and concluded in March in Des Moines. The lecture staff of women physicians included Harpel as well as Dr. Jeannette Throckmorton, Dr. Velura Powell, Dr. Josephine Rust, Dr. Lenna Meanes, Dr. Nelle Noble, and Dr. Mae Habenicht.

Harpel was involved in several organizations. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and was active in the Political Equality Club and the Civic League. She was an organizer of the Outlook Club, serving for two years as its president. Harpel was a past commander of the Ladies of the Maccabees and a past Worthy Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star.

Personal life In religion, Harpel was involved in the Universalist Church and engaged in Sunday school work.