California Biographies Transcribed by Peggy Hooper This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm Source: History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from its earliest settlement to the present time. Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M. The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905 Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176 WALTER E. LILLEY, M. D. In the professional circles of Merced county, W. E. Lil- ley, M. D., occupies a position of importance and influence, being one of the most active and skillful physicians and surgeons of the city of Merced. Noted for his keen intellec- tual and mental attainments and for his professional knowledge and enterprise, he has met with satisfactory results in his practice of medicine and surgery, and since coming to the Pacific coast has gained an extensive patronage throughout this part of California. His office is on Main street, in the Barcroft building, where he also has a private sanitarium and an operating room. His office is fitted up with all the modern appliances and conven- iences used by the profession, including an electric static machine and an X-ray machine. The doctor was born November 5, 1866, in Portland, Chautauqua county, N. Y., a son of Abner Lilley. Abner Lilley was born at Sandy Creek, N. Y., but was bred and educated in Pennsyl- vania, and was there engaged in business as a lumber manufacturer and dealer during his earlier life. Subsequently removing to Portland, he purchased land and was employed in agricultural and horticultural pursuits until his death, in 1890, aged eighty-three years. He was twice married, by his first union having five children, of whom two sons served in the Civil war, and both were killed in battle, one being shot in the battle of Gettys- burg. He married for his second wife, Olive Pratt, daughter of William Pratt, a Pennsyl- vania farmer. Six children were born of this union, namely : Abner, living in Erie county, Pa., a prosperous farmer; Henry, engaged in the fruit business in Westfield, N. Y. ; W. E., the subject of this brief sketch ; Morris and Charles, residents of Vermont; and Frederick. Frederick Lilley was graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Baltimore, Md., and subsequently engaged in the practice of his profession in Merced, Cal., where he died November 2, 1899, from blood poisoning contracted while performing an operation. At the time of his death he was serving as county coroner and public administrator. Acquiring a practical education in the public schools, and being well trained in the vari- ous branches of agriculture by his father, W. E. Lilley remained at home until after attain- ing man's estate, following the independent occupation to which he was reared. In 1890 he visited California, making a short stay in San Diego. Returning east, he entered the Baltimore Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1894 with the degree of M. D. The following year he practiced medicine at Findley Lake, N. Y., and then located in Barnard, Windsor county, Vt., where he built up a large and successful practice, remaining there three and one-half years. Coming to California in December, 1899, Dr. Lilley con- tinued his professional labors in Modesto for six months, and then opened his present of- fice and sanitarium in Merced. A close student, ever ready to test the merits of new medical or surgical discoveries, inventions or appliances, he keeps abreast of the times in regard to his profession and is numbered among the foremost physicians and surgeons of Merced county, his patronage being extensive and lucrative. In Chautauqua county, N. Y., Dr. Lilley married, at Mayville, Miss Mabel Crossgrove, a native of that city, and they have two children, namely: Harold and Ivan. The doctor is very prominent in medical organizations, belonging to the State and to the American Medical Associations ; to the San Joaquin Valley Medical Society, of which he was formerly president; and to the Merced County Medical Society, of which he is secretary. In politics he is a stanch supporter of the principles of the Republican party. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a member and medical examiner of both the Woodmen of the World and the Modern Woodmen of America. In his religious views he is a Baptist.