Doctoress Catherine Elizabeth Johnson Vosteen (July 23, 1823 – August 19, 1913)  was the first – or one of the first female practicing physicians in St. Joseph. Vosteen was  born in Oldenburg Lower Saxony, Germany (now Berlin.)

Shortly before leaving on the ship to America at Catherine’s mother’s insistence, Catherine at age 26 in 1849, and John Henry Von Vosteen were married. The Von Vosteen’s removed the Von from their last name.

Their ship arrived in Baltimore, Maryland. The Vosteen’s first moved to New Orleans, Louisiana and then traveled up the Mississippi to St. Louis, then on to Quincy Illinois to find work. The Vosteen’s then moved to Quincy, Illinois,  where they lived for several years and had six children. Four girls and twin boys who died from dysentery at age 2. This experience of loss was very hurtful for Catherine and she thought she could hear god’s voice telling her to return to St. Louis and attend the St. Louis School of Midwives and Physicians.

From Quincy, Catherine and John moved to St. Joseph, to find stonemason work. Their home life was not idyllic, John, left for St. Louis and did not return.

Catherine moved with her children to St. Louis to attend the St. Louis School of Midwives and Physicians. She returned to St. Joseph and opened her practice at 913 North second Street where her shingle reading “Mrs. Vosteen Doctoress” hung outside her door. Catherine developed a birthing chair for women which was said to be the secret for easy delivery. Male physicians would call Doctoress Vosteen to assist with difficult deliveries. Her fee was $5 per baby, but sometimes she was paid with chickens, and sometimes she would not be paid. Doctoress Vosteen reached her patients by horse and buggy, delivering hundreds of babies and caring for hundreds of patients in the St. Joseph area. A very spiritual person, Catherine felt she had extra sensory perception, and often had premonitions.

Doctoress Catherine Vosteen died on August 19, 1913 and is buried at Mt. Mora Cemetery in St. Joseph.