From History of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Volume II, Publ. by The Western Historical Company 1881, Page 1010-1011

MRS. E. B. WOLCOTT (Laura J. ROSS) was born in a colonial town of New England, of an old family distinguished for patriotism, intelligence and hospitality.  During those turbulent years of the national life, when questions of religion and politics, men and measures, were freely discussed in the family circle, when such persons as Mott, Mann, Channing, Garrison and Phillips and that galaxy of noble women and brave men, were not merely "household words," but were frequent guests at her father's house, did she, as a child, imbibe influences that helped later to develop breadth of character, earnestness of purpose, patience and unflinching fortitude unusual in women.  The youngest of a large family of children, she inherited strong mental qualities from the riper wisdom of her parents' later years, and these discussions of vital questions by earnest scholarly minds surrounded her with an atmosphere and unconsciously stimulated her to high endeavor and urged her to diligent labor.  As she grew toward womanhood, she naturally sought the best means for her mental development.  She had the courage to ask admission at "Harvard," but then, as now, its advantages were only for men.  By rare good fortune, she succeeded in entering as pupil a private class, let by professors of that college.

Taught by education to be conservative, when conservatism meant the holding fast of things proved good - she nevertheless, interested herself in all educational advances; was one of the earliest graduates of the first Normal School of Massachusetts, and led her mates in the study of the natural sciences.  She devoted five years of unremitting toil to the acquisition of her medical profession, the knowledge of its principles and details, its theory and its practice, including in this course clinical and laboratory instruction.  She was one of that "trio" who first received hospital instruction in this country equally with men students.  She did not find the way easy.  Even in this land of freedom she realized that there was danger in attempting untried paths, but true to the high purpose of her life, she steadily put aside every obstruction and surmounted every obstacle, thereby acquiring strength, courage and confidence.  This early battle with opposing forces fitted her for the field in which she chose to work - that of pioneer in her profession, among the heterogeneous elements of a new Western society.  She graduated in the Spring of 1856 in Philadelphia, and Milwaukee became her home in 1857 - several years before Chicago added a woman's name to her medical corps.

The profession did not receive her cordially as a body.  There were some noble exceptions among the older ones, whose riper experience had educated them out of narrow prejudices and who assured and positions left them no need to be jealous of a younger rival.  Foremost of these was the courtly Dr. WOLCOTT, who later became her husband.  He recognized her ability, appreciated her value to the community and admiring her courage, gave her a generous, unselfish greeting; but to the majority of the medical body she became an object of curiosity and  unfriendly criticism.  Against petty spite and personal calumny she fought her way bravely, doing battle with fraud, oppression and abuse, in her particular profession until a valuable practice and a large circle of appreciative friends were the result of her skill, patience and faithfulness.

In 1867 she visited the French and English hospitals of Europe; was, for a season, student in the Maison de Sante, assisting, at times, personally, in difficult and dangerous operations, and devoting much time to practical work in normal and pathological histology.

It was not till her success as a physician had been for some years established that she married Erastus B. WOLCOTT, M.D., a man who ranked first in his profession, both as a practitioner and surgeon.  He had always been her friend, now he became her associate in practice, her congenial and appreciative companion in all the scientific, literary and social interests of the day.  Those admitted to this domestic circle saw in their relation to one another the realization of an ideal home.

But not alone in her profession is Mrs. WOLCOTT known as an active worker.  Every movement favoring the development of the race receives from her support and encouragement.  The State Academy of Arts, the Woman's Suffrage Association, the Woman's Congress, the Humane Society - all bear her name upon their rolls of membership, while for many years the various charitable associations have absorbed a large share of her time and means.  Among the suffering in the lowly walks of life, she has been friend, counselor and physician, giving without charge such assistance as money could not purchase.

Were it not that even a partial record of her charities and benevolent works amount the poor would be distasteful to her, as savoring of ostentation, directly opposed to her Quaker principles, a large volume might be written.  Into her household affairs Mrs. WOLCOTT has carried the same untiring energy and wonderful capacity for work that have distinguished her as a physician.  At home, in every department of domestic economy, her house and its interests receive the same faithful care and attention so characteristic of her professionally.  Her doors are open to receive the disheartened, hopeless woman, battling with fate, as readily as to welcome her who has won the world's laurels and compelled its plaudits.

Like others in the world's history, to whom it has been given to open paths for others to follow to success, she has been obliged to bear burdens, perform labors and endure hardships that would have been impossible had she possessed a less noble aim, a less resolute purpose.

May those who shall follow later in the way she has opened never forget to accord to her the honor of being the brave pioneer who made success in the medical profession possible and honorable to woman.

Submitted by Carol