Recently, I ran across a "scrapbook" my great-aunt Miss Dora Brydon had put together of newspaper clippings, during approx. years 1910 and late 1930s.

She was born and lived most of her life in Mt. Vernon. She never married and was a registered nurse and heavily involved in the Business and Professional Women's organization for many years. She died in the late '60s and was in her 80s at her death.

From a newspaper clipping (probably a Mt. Vernon, IL newspaper published last week of Oct. 1961 or 1962) found among memorabilia at home of Millard Reuss (my father).

Jo House

A HALF CENTURY OF SERVICE
(Caption below picture)

"Miss Dora Brydon, well known Mt. Vernon registered nurse, is shown receiving a corsage from Geneva Newman in recognition of fifty years in the nursing profession. The corsage of beautiful rose buds was the gift of the Mt. Vernon Graduate Nurses Club - of which she is a charter member. Miss Brydon was guest of honor at a dinner given by the Mt. Vernon Graduate Nurses' Club last evening at the L. and N. cafe."

She graduated from the Eileen Osborn Training School at St. Louis in 1911 and returned to this city to serve as a private duty nurse. Then, on November 11, 1913, she became superintendent of nurses at the Bridget Hughes Hospital at Nashville, Ill., and remained there until the United States entered the first World War. At that time, she was the first Mt. Vernon nurse to volunteer for service in the war and, in November of 1918, she was sent to a hospital at Ft. Oglethorpe, Georgia.

At the close of World War One, Miss Brydon returned to Mt. Vernon and resumed her work as a private duty nurse. In 1926, she became nurse in the Mt. Vernon elementary schools and remained in this position until 1941. Miss Brydon has worked at Good Samaritan Hospital and was the supervisor of the nurses there from 1943 until 1945. In 1947, at the time of the opening of Jefferson Memorial Hospital, she joined the staff there and remains with that organization today.

She has been active in nursing and civic organizations - including membership in the Illinois Nurses' Association, almost from its beginning. She has served as treasurer of the 14th District for many years and is a charter member of the Graduate Nurses' Club of Mt. Vernon - and she is a charter member of the Business and Professional Women's Club. In 1955, she was voted "Woman of The Year" by the B.P.W.

Miss Brydon is also a Past Noble Grand of Varnell Rebekah Lodge. Thursday evening in further recognition of her fifty years in the nursing profession, the table was decorated with a beautiful arrangement of gold mums - the gift of Dr. and Mrs. C. K. Wells.

Dora Brydon
February 2, 1881 - August 16, 1970

Young Dora Brydon (standing) with half-sister Jessie Brydon,
grandmother of Jo House (contributor of scrapbook)

Dora Brydon in nursing outfit

Dora Brydon was first Mt. Vernon nurse to volunteer for service during WWI and was stationed at Ft. Oglethorpe, GA in 1918.

Dora Brydon (on bumper) enjoying life

Dora Brydon in 1965,
two years before she retired from nursing
at the age of 87