Mary McQuiston Miller, M.D. – Early Physician (1869 – 1943); Eudora
In Brief:
Dr. Mary McQuiston Miller became one of the earliest female physicians in Kansas in 1900. She practiced in Eudora for many years and was a respected member of the community. Her office was in the building currently housing the Eudora Community Museum.
In 1893, the first two females in Kansas received medical degrees from The Kansas Medical College, founded in Topeka in 1889. Mary McQuiston Miller received her degree from this college on May 22, 1900. She was the only woman in the class with 25 men, including her husband. She was awarded a hypodermic syringe for having the best grades in the class, having tied with two others.
From 1919 to the early 1920’s, Mary and her husband served the Eudora community. They assisted during the late 1921 diphtheria epidemic in Douglas County by administering “Diphtheria Toxin”, the antitoxin recommended by the State Board of Health.
At one point, the Drs. Miller & Miller office was located over Will Trefz’s Plumbing Shop, the current site of the Eudora Community Museum. Mary was a frequent speaker at parent and community groups about health. She was active in the 1900 and Now Club, a women’s group that discussed various political issues of the day. The subjects of the March 1921 meetings were women’s roles in society and American industry.
Although Dr. Mary Miller was only in Eudora for a few years, she is still remembered – a testimony to the important contributions she made to the community as one of the earliest female physicians in Kansas.
More Information:
Dr. Mary McQuiston Miller became one of the earliest female physicians in Kansas in 1900.[1] She practiced in Eudora for many years and was a respected member of the community. Her office was in the building currently housing the Eudora Community Museum. [2]
Education has always been important to Kansans. The earliest settlers in Kansas Territory formed schools in their homes as quickly as possible, for both boys and girls. The State of Kansas supported education for women in its schools of higher learning from the earliest days. The Kansas Medical College was founded in Topeka in 1889, admitting women “on the same terms as men.”[3] The second graduating class included two women in 1893.[4] The school became part of Washburn College, now Washburn University, in 1902. In 1913, it merged with the University of Kansas Medical School.[5] This school, under all its names, has supplied Kansas with many talented physicians and surgeons over the years.
One such physician was Mary McQuiston Miller, one of the early female doctors in Kansas. She was born on July 8, 1869, in Franklin, Pennsylvania, the second of six children. Mary moved to the Eudora area around 1883. On March 20, 1891, she married Christopher B. Miller from Indiana. The Millers had three children, Clarence LeRoy, Cyril Bertram, and Genevieve.[6]
Mary and Christopher both attended Kansas Medical College, graduating in 1900. She was the only woman in their class of 26 students. She was awarded a hypodermic syringe for having the best grades in the class, having tied with two others. A banquet was held for the graduates with 200 guests attending, including faculty and medical professionals of Topeka. As toasts were made, short responses were presented. Mary represented her class and spoke on the subject “Our Alma Mater.”[7]
The doctors Miller practiced in Eudora for many years. In November 1919, The Eudora Weekly News reported that their office was north of Woodard’s Garage, near present day City Hall.[8] By August of 1921, the Drs. Miller and Miller’s office had relocated to space over Will Trefz’s Plumbing Shop, currently the Eudora Community Museum building.[9] During that year Douglas County was devastated by an epidemic of diphtheria. Mary and Christopher administered “Diphtheria Toxin” at their office to anyone who requested it. This was the recommended treatment of the State Board of Health.[10]
Mary was active in various community groups. In 1919, she spoke at the Parent-Teachers meeting about “Safeguards Against Disease.” [11]
She was involved in The 1900 and Now Club which appeared to address various political issues of the day. The subjects of the March 1921 meetings were women’s roles and American industry. Mary spoke on the topic “Does Higher Education Unfit Women for Household Duties?” at the first meeting. Other topics presented included “The Evolution of Women in the Past 50 Years,” “What Makes an Ideal Home?” and “My Pet Economy.”[12] At the second meeting Mary led the round table discussion about “Industrial Progress.” Other presentations were “Coal, the Ally of American Industry,” and “American Dyes.”[13]
Dr. Mary’s Sunday School group at the Methodist Episcopal Church was called the Gleaners Club. She participated in many activities with them. In July 1921, the Gleaners surprised her with a birthday party. Forty people attended, including children. She received a Pyrex baking dish as a gift.[14]
At some point the couple moved to Topeka. Christopher passed away in December 1942. Mary passed away on February 28, 1943, at the home of her son Clarence in Topeka. She rests beside her husband at Mount Hope Cemetery, Topeka, Kansas.[15]
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- [1] findagrave.com/memorial/40651426/mary-mamie-miller
- [2] Ben Terwiliger, “Dr. Mary Miller,” interview by Marta Jardon, February 16, 2026.
- [3] The Topeka Daily Capital (Topeka, Kansas) · Thu, Mar 24, 1892 · Page 5.
- [4] The Topeka Daily Capital (Topeka, Kansas) · Wed, Mar 22, 1893 · Page 4.
- [5] findagrave.com/memorial/40651426/mary-mamie-miller
- [6] Ibid.
- [7] The Topeka Daily Capital (Topeka, Kansas) · Fri, Mar 23, 1900 · Page 5.
- [8] The Eudora Weekly News (Eudora, Kansas) · Thu, Nov 27, 1919 · Page 2.
- [9] The Eudora Weekly News (Eudora, Kansas) · Thu, Aug 18, 1921 · Page 4.
- [10] The Eudora Weekly News (Eudora, Kansas) · Thu, Nov 17, 1921 · Page 1.
- [11] The Eudora Weekly News (Eudora, Kansas) · Thu, Nov 27, 1919 · Page 2.
- [12] The Eudora Weekly News (Eudora, Kansas) · Thu, Mar 17, 1921 · Page 3.
- [13] The Eudora Weekly News (Eudora, Kansas) · Thu, Mar 31, 1921 · Page 3 .
- [14] The Eudora Weekly News (Eudora, Kansas) · Thu, Jul 14, 1921 · Page 6.
- [15] findagrave.com/memorial/40651426/mary-mamie-miller
By M. Jardon, May 2026
Image:findagrave.com/memorial/40651426/mary-mamie-miller
