SKEEL, ARTHUR J. (1874-7 Dec. 1942) was nationally known for advancing obstetrics and serving as director of the Obstetric Div. of ST. LUKE'S HOSPITAL from 1910-38. Born in Augusta, Michigan, son of Frances Adelbert and Hettie (Butler) Skeel, he attended Cleveland schools and studied medicine at the University of Michigan. He began practicing medicine in 1897 under an older brother who was an obstetrician and gynecologist. From 1907 he specialized in obstetrics and diseases of women. During his 40 years of practice, great strides were made in obstetrics. Skeel himself was especially concerned with new ideas in prenatal and postnatal care that minimized the mortality rate among mothers and newborns. He founded the St. Luke's Obstetric Dispensary for out-patient services, one of the earliest such organizations in Cleveland. He also founded the Cleveland Hospital Obstetric Society and was active in similar organizations in Ohio and other states. He was made a fellow of the American Assoc. of Obstetricians. In addition to his work at St. Luke's, Skeel was professor of obstetrics at the Cleveland College of Physicians & Surgeons, which later merged with Western Reserve University (see CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY).
Skeel married Blandina Kern on 15 April 1908. They had 3 children: Marguerite Julia, Roland Alexander, and Arthur Edward. Skeel died in Cleveland and was buried in LAKE VIEW CEMETERY.