William J. Mayo Autographs, Memorabilia & Collectibles

 In 1864, their father, WILLIAM WORRALL MAYO (1819-1911) took his young family to Rochester, Minnesota, where he established a surgical practice following military service and was a surgeon during the Sioux Indian raids on early settlements. Even as children, the Mayo brothers helped with patients, making their careers in medicine inevitable. William received his Doctorate of Medicine in 1883; Charles followed in 1888, and immediately joined the practice of his father and brother. The following year, the Mayos co-founded St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, specializing in surgical practice. St. Mary's evolved into the Mayo Clinic by 1903, becoming one of the largest, most world-renowned medical facilities. The brothers created the Mayo foundation in 1915 to aid in the education for and research of specialized medicine and surgery.