Anne Walter Fearn facts for kids

Anne Walter Fearn (born May 21, 1867 – died April 28, 1939) was an American doctor. She traveled to Shanghai, China, for a short job in 1893 and ended up staying there for 40 years.

Her Family and Early Life

Anne grew up in Holly Springs, Mississippi, right after the American Civil War. Her father, Harvey Washington Walter, was a lawyer. Her mother, Martha Fredonia Brown, came from a family of pioneers.

When Anne was thirteen, a serious illness called yellow fever spread through Holly Springs. Her father sent his wife and younger children away. He and three of his older sons stayed behind. They turned their large home into a hospital to care for the sick. Sadly, they all caught the fever and died within a week.

After her father's death, the family faced money problems. Luckily, two of Anne's sisters married wealthy and important men. Her sister Minnie married Henry Clay Myers, who was the Secretary of State for Mississippi. Her sister Irene married Oscar Johnson, who later bought their family home, Walter Place.

Becoming a Doctor

At age twelve, Anne went to a school in North Carolina for three years. When she was sixteen, she decided she wanted to become a doctor. Her mother was not happy about this at first. But she eventually agreed, and Anne went to Cooper Medical College in San Francisco.

She then received a scholarship to the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania. She graduated in 1893. One of her classmates, Dr. Margaret Polk, was supposed to go to a hospital in China. But she couldn't go right away. So, Anne offered to take her place. At that time, it was hard for women doctors to find work. So, Anne was very happy for this chance to work in China.

Working at Soochow Hospital

Anne started working for a church group, even though she wasn't a church member herself. She worked at the women's hospital in Soochow (Suzhou), which was about 60 miles west of Shanghai. When Anne first arrived, the trip between the two cities took three days. Later, a train line was built, making the trip much faster.

The women's hospital had been closed for a while before Anne arrived. She quickly became known for her energy and hard work. During her fourteen years there, she performed many operations and helped deliver babies. She also opened new hospital rooms and started a medical school for Chinese students.

Marriage and Challenges

In 1896, Anne married Dr. John Burrus Fearn, who was also a doctor and a missionary. They had different ideas about religion. They also sometimes disagreed about their work. Anne said her husband liked to give orders, and she didn't like taking them. Because of this, their marriage was sometimes difficult.

They had one daughter, Elizabeth, born in 1897. Sadly, Elizabeth died from a sickness in 1902.

In 1900, Anne and John went back to the U.S. for a break. While they were away, the Boxer Rebellion happened in China. When they returned to Suzhou, things had changed. There had been a lot of fighting. Soldiers were even staying in the hospital chapel. It took months for things to get back to normal.

In 1905, there was more unrest in China. The Fearn family moved to Shanghai for a while. Once things calmed down, they returned to Suzhou. They then planned a trip around the world and a permanent move back to America.

Life in Shanghai (1907-1914)

In 1907, Dr. John Fearn left his job, and the couple moved to the United States. But they returned to Shanghai the next year. John became a business manager for some Protestant missions. Anne didn't like being inactive. So, she helped out at different missions and clinics. These included a shelter for girls and a hospital for Chinese women and children.

She also joined the American Women's Club in Shanghai. She was elected as the corresponding secretary.

Anne still felt she needed more purpose. She got involved in community work. This included setting up places for visiting U.S. sailors. She also worked to make conditions better for Chinese workers. She wanted to help during a plague in Manchuria, but another doctor was chosen instead. In 1910, she went to Japan and worked as a doctor who helps women during childbirth.

When she returned to Shanghai, she worked at a rescue home for foreign women. She also continued at the Margaret Williamson Hospital. In 1913, during a time of revolution, the Fearns helped refugees in the city. Fighting was happening nearby, and stray bullets and shells landed around them.

Starting Her Own Hospital

In 1914, the Fearns started another trip. They traveled across China to Russia. They arrived in Moscow just as World War I began. They went to London and offered to help with the war as doctors. But they were told to register in the USA. When they tried, they learned that only male surgeons were needed.

They both returned to Shanghai. Anne started her own private medical practice with Dr. Polk. Her husband, John, went to France. He worked with Chinese workers who were helping the war effort.

Anne rented a large house in the Shanghai French Concession. She turned it into a private hospital called the Fearn Sanatorium. She was able to buy the property with money from a rich Chinese man and a bank.

She ran the hospital for ten years. Her husband died on June 7, 1926. After returning from the war, he had been a director at the Shanghai General Hospital.

Seeking New Energy

After selling her hospital, Anne left Shanghai and traveled to the USA. She followed a route she had taken before with her husband. By the time she reached Vienna, she was very tired. Someone told her about a doctor named Eugen Steinach. He claimed he could help people feel more energetic. Anne contacted Dr. Steinach in Vienna. She decided to try his 30-day treatment. It involved tests, electrical treatment, and injections. On the eighth day, she felt very weak. But after that, she started to feel much stronger and full of energy. These effects lasted for two years, and she later had another treatment.

A Tireless Helper

Anne couldn't settle down in America. So, she returned to Shanghai again. There, she became very involved in charity work. She hosted events with important people like bankers, politicians, and artists to raise money. She also traveled abroad, giving talks and meeting influential figures. She wanted to get support for groups like the National Child Welfare Association of China and the Shanghai American School.

In 1932, she was in Manila when fighting broke out in Shanghai between Japanese and Chinese forces. This conflict put more pressure on the volunteer groups Anne worked with. They helped refugees, homeless people, and orphans.

Her Book and Passing

Anne returned home in 1938. She finished writing her life story, called My Days of Strength, just before she died. She passed away in Berkeley, California on April 28, 1939, at age 71. She dedicated her book to her sister Irene, calling her "my sister and friend." Her body was cremated, and her ashes were returned to Shanghai to be buried.