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Early Murray County Doctors

In the 1830s, at Sumach, a self-taught white man, widely known as "Doctor Bean," provided medical care.

The Census of 1850 listed 6 doctors in Spring Place.

This list is an attempt to identify as many as possible of the early doctors that provided medical care to Murray residents. The list includes (where known) the following information: doctor's name, a reference year in which it is known that he was providing service, and a place of residence. Other brief notes are provided for some.

The place of residence might have changed over the years, some are known to have moved several times. And doctors in those times served families across a wide area, often across county or even state lines.

Tim Howard's earlier research proved invaluable in the creation of this listing.

In cases where names from two different sources were not exactly identical but seemed as if they might be the same person, questions have been posed in the listing.

    Dr. James J. Allen, 1850, Spring Place.

    Dr. M. W. Anderson, 1911, lived at Spring Place. Born in Murray County.

    Dr. Walton W. Anderson (1853-1907). Born November 23, 1853, died September 9, 1907. Wife Margaret S. Anderson, born December 13, 1851, died June 11, 1903. Buried in Spring Place Cemetery.

    Dr. William A. Anderson (1824-1887), 1850. Was a Mason. Resided at Spring Place. Born July 28, 1824. Died August 12, 1887. Wife: Amanda C. Anderson, born March 18, 1824. Died July 12, 1888. Both are buried in Spring Place Cemetery.

    Dr. L. P. Bagwell. Tombstone: Dr. Lafayette Patillo Bagwell. Born January 15, 1869. Died May 10, 1899. Age 30 years, 3 months, 24 days. Dr. Bagwell was born in Pickens County. He was a Mason. Dr. Bagwell died, along with his three young children, Emmett, age 6, Earnest, age 3, and Baby Florence, 6 months, and their elderly housekeeper, Mrs. Nancy E. Williams, when their home in Spring Place burned May 10, 1899. His wife, Nancy, had died November 28, 1898, only 6 months before the fire. All are buried in Spring Place Cemetery.

    Dr. Ira Willis Ballard, 1935, resided in Chatsworth.

    Dr. M. P. Bates (1862-1940), 1894, lived at Loughridge. Born in Murray County. Buried Eton Cemetery.

    Dr. Price Bates (same as M. P. Bates?). Lived near Dennis Mill.

    Dr. Theodore Carl Bayless (1902-1974), practicing in 1929, lived at Chatsworth. Dentist. Born May 20, 1902, Died December 19, 1974. Married June 8, 1941, Jessie E. Gordon. Both are buried in Chatsworth Heights Cemetery.

    Dr. C. L. Bena(?), 1890, lived at Fashion. Born in Murray County.

    Dr. Franklin C. Bentley (1882-1932). Lived at Eton. Born November 13, 1882. Died November 21, 1932. Buried Old Summerhour Cemetery.

    Dr. J. A. Black, 1850s, Spring Place. Gravestone of Mrs. Mary A. Black, in Treadwell Cemetery, indicates she was wife of Dr. J. A. Black, Many unmarked graves near her's, any of which could contain Dr. Black.

    Dr. J. E. Bradford, 1912, lived at Spring Place. James Eldridge Bradford was born in Murray County, in 1886. He married Josephine Lister in 1953. This man is probably best remembered as the last private owner of the Vann House. He agreed to sell it with the provision that it must be restored and opened to the public. Dr. Bradford died in 1966 and is buried in Spring Place Cemetery.

    Dr. R. H. Bradley, 1914, Chatsworth. Robert H. Bradley was born January 16, 1885 and died March 17, 1980. He is buried in Harrison Chapel Cemetery.

    Dr. F. C. Bright. In practice in 1916.

    Dr. Baxter Brown, 1850, resided at Spring Place.

    Dr. Bean Brown, 1881, resided in Bull Pen District.

    Dr. G. R. Brown (1800-1881). Born ____ 1800, died October 1, 1888. Nearby grave marker reads: Mrs. M. L. Brown, wife of Dr. G. R. Brown. Died December 4, 1868, age 54 years. Buried Sumach Cumberland Presbyterian Church Cemetery.

    Dr. S. A. Brown, 1893, lived at Dunn. Born in Whitfield County.

    Although it had long been thought that Dr. Burton was in an unmarked grave in Fidele Cemetery, Gordon County, near a tombstone for his son, Robert Elmore Burton, Jr., a museum visitor, indicating that was a grandson of Dr. Burton, recently wrote to correct this assumption. He reported that Dr. and Mrs. Burton had moved to Kingston, Georgia, after the death of their son, Robert, Jr. The son was killed when a tombstone fell on him as his mother was working to clean or decorate one of the graves. The grandson reported that Dr. Burton practiced medicine and served as mayor of Kingston for many years. He thinks the doctor died in 1959. Dr. Robert J. Burton, Sr. was practicing medicine in 1913 and resided in Chatsworth.

    Dr. Willard P. Carson, 1950, lived in Chatsworth.

    Dr. George L. Chastain, 1882, lived at Spring Place. Born in Lafayette, Georgia.

    Dr. R. P. Cochran, 1903, lived in Cleveland, Tennessee. Born in Tennessee.

    Dr. W. R. Cochran,1890, lived in Earnest, Tennessee. Born in Tennessee.

    Dr. C. W. Cole, 1879, druggist.

    Dr. T. W. Colvard (1868-1945),1894, resided at Cohutta Springs. Born in Forsyth, Georgia. Known to have been practicing medicine in 1924, from information on a birth certificate. Lived at Oakwood Plantation, which often is called Colvard House. Buried Cleveland, Tennessee, according to his grand-daughter, Sarah Colvard Badger.

    Dr. C. G. Cox, 1911, lived at Chatsworth. Born Gilmer County.

    Dr. J. A. Craven, 1889, lived at Holly Creek. He was born in North Carolina.

    Emmitt H. Dickie (1886-1957),1913, resided at Chatsworth. 1913. Gravestone: E. H. Dickie, 1886-1957. Buried in Chatsworth Heights Cemetery

    Dr. R. E. Dillard,1884, lived in Holly Creek. Born in Gordon County.

    Dr. Sam Douthit, Sr. (1828-1898). Buried Sumach Cumberland Presbyterian Church Cemetery.

    Dr. Samuel B. Dwight, 1850, Spring Place. Born at Oak Grove, Georgetown, SC, (no date on marker). Died October 17, 1859 at Hopedale, near Spring Place. Wife: Mary A. Dwight, born November 23, 1799, died April 24, 1868. Both are buried in Spring Place Cemetery.

    Dr. Horace G. Evans, 1876, lived at Spring Place. Born in Louisiana.

    Dr. J. H. Feagan, lived at Chatsworth. Dentist.

    Dr. G. W. Fowler, 1853, Spring Place.

    Dr. Leonard Cicero Furr. Born Habersham County, Georgia. Lived at Crandall. Died June 1, 1913. Buried Sumach Cumberland Presbyterian Cemetery, Murray County.

    Dr. John F. Gilbert, 1890s, lived at Spring Place. Born in Murray County.

    Dr. John William Greene, 1900, resided near Chatsworth.

    Dr. Thomas E. Green, 1909, lived in Chatsworth.

    Dr. L. C. Greer, 1877, resided in Spring Place. He was born in Fannin County.

    Dr. J. Marvin Gregory (1878-1950), 1904, lived at Sumach. Born in Murray County September 6, 18798. Died August 12, 1950. Buried Sumach Cumberland Presbyterian Church Cemetery.

    Dr. James F. Haley, 1860, lived at Spring Place.

    Dr. Business Eastman Hall, born 1873, was a dentist at Spring Place until 1921 when he relocated his practice to Atlanta.

    Dr. Pleas H. Hall, resided at Holly Creek. Born in Murray County.

    Dr. T. H. Hall, served in Civil War, 1884, lived at Holly Creek. Born in SC. Tombstone in Sardis Cemetery: Born March 4, 1837. Died February 29, 1905.

    Dr. C. C. Hammond. Died October 2, 1888. A medical journal reported in 1881 that Dr. Hammond lived at "Cahuttah Springs" (near present day Crandall). Buried Sumach Cumberland Presbyterian Church Cemetery.

    Dr. J. H. Harris, (or J. M.?) 1893, resided at Amzi. Born Murray County. ??Could be John H. Harris, born November 29, 1864. Died February 1, 1922. Tombstone does not contain indication the man was a doctor. This man is in Sumach Cumberland Presbyterian Church Cemetery.??

    Dr. James (Jim) F. Harris (1850-1897). Lived at Pleasant Valley. Buried Harris Family Cemetery, Eton. Born May 22, 1850, died June 6, 1897. Wife was Florida M. Harris, 1853-1894.

    Dr. John Freeman Harris (1854-1920). Born April 15, 1854. Married Mary E. Penderson (1857-1921). He died May 25, 1920. Buried in Spring Place Cemetery.

    Dr. M. W. Harris, 1897, lived at Cohutta Springs. Born in Murray County.

    Dr. John T. Henry (1855-1906). Born February 4, 1855. Died November 24, 1906. Buried in Sumach Cumberland Presbyterian Church Cemetery.

    Dr. R. R. Hightower, 1915, lived at Chatsworth. Dentist.

    Dr. Henry Hill, known to have treated a patient named Jacob Headrick in December 1864.

    Dr. W. F. Holland, 1855, resided at Sumach. Born in Murray County. ?? Could be William Holland, 1845-1890, in McEntire-Montgomery Cemetery. Tombstone does not identify the deceased as being a doctor.??

    Dr. W. A. Hooten, advertised in the Atlanta Constitution, July 1873, that he would be in Cohutta Springs for the summer and was available there to "treat chronic diseases in all forms, especially the eye."

    Dr. E. H. Hope, 1885, lived in Spring Place. He was born in Tennessee.

    Dr. John T. Henry,1887, lived at Sumach. Born in Murray County.

    Dr. F. M. Hubbard. Died March 1878. Probably buried in Eton Cemetery, where several unmarked graves near tombstone for Fannie Keith Hubbard indicates whe was the wife of Dr. F. M. Hubbard; they were married Feb 8, 1876.

    Dr. J. B. Hughes, 1899, lived at Beaverdale. Born in Tennessee.

    Dr. James Hughes, lived at Spring Place.

    Dr. O. G. Hughes, 1899, lived at Hughes. Born in Tennessee.

    Dr. William J. Johnson lived in McMinn County, Tennessee, in 1850. In 1860 he was using the post office at Calhoun, Tennessee. The 1870 Census for Murray County, Georgia, listed him as a physician, age 67, living at Spring Place. It indicated that he had been born in N.C. He was a Mason. His wife, Theresa H. Johnson, was born February 19, 1811, and died December 15, 1890. His tombstone in Spring Place Cemetery shows the following: 1803 - 1882.

    Dr. F. M. Jones, 1888, resided at Cohutta Springs. Born in Murray County.

    Dr. Stanton Jones, 1927, lived at Chatsworth. Dentist. ??Neither of the two possible matches have dentist or doctor on the markers. James Stanton Jones, born January 5, 1909, died June 6, 1986, buried in Chatsworth Heights Cemetery. J. Stanton Jones, born October 5, 1886, died October 23, 1962, buried in Eton Cemetery.??

    Dr. E. H. L. Keister, 1860, Spring Place. Served in Civil War. His tombstone: E. H. L. Keister, 1829-1890. His wife's: Margaret H. Keister, 1841-1927. Buried in Spring Place Cemetery.

    Dr. R. C. Kemp, 1913, resided at Crandall. Born in Acworth, Ga.

    Dr. D. C. Kenner (1816-1903). Born September 23, 1816, near Rogersville, Tennessee. Served in Confederate Army with rank of Captain. Died February 16, 1903. Wife, Shilomar, born in McMinn County, Tennessee, October 24, 1823, died at Spring Place, Georgia, February 3, 1900. Both are buried at Spring Place Cemetery.

    Dr. Thomas J. Leach (1816-1905), became a doctor in 1843, practiced for more than 32 years. Lived near Cohutta Springs. Died October 1, 1905, aged 89 years and 5 days. Wife: Josephine T. Leach, 1830-1889. Both are buried in Sumach Cumberland Presbyterian Church Cemetery.

    Dr. W. S. Lents, 1917, resided at Chatsworth. Optometrist.

    Dr. W. W. Leonard. Parents were M. M. and Mary Cynthia Leonard. He erected a stone to them in Spring Place Cemetery. Unsure whether he might also be buried there.

    Dr. ______ Lovingood. Lived near Dennis Mill.

    Dr. A. E. Main, 1899, lived at Cohutta Springs. Born in Ohio.

    Dr. Houston Mantooth (1836-1910). Buried Mantooth Family Cemetery, Polk County, TN. Tombstone: Born December 27, 1836. Died October 13, 1910. Son of Samuel and Laitha "Pharris" Mantooth.

    Dr. Elias McCutcheon, 1860, resided at Spring Place.

    Dr. Joseph McDowell, 1850, lived at Spring Place.

    Dr. J. A. McGuire, 1892, lived at Wells. Born in Dawson County.

    Dr. B. S. McNeil, 1891, resided at Ramsey. Born in Murray County.

    Dr. O. C. Mills, 1893, Spring Place.

    Dr. J. A. Moore, lived in Chatsworth. Dentist. ??Could be James A. Moore, born December 23, 1893, died June 16, 1972, buried in Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery at Tennga. Gravestone does not indicate dentist or doctor.??

    Dr. J. T. Moreland, 1900, lived at Fashion. Born in Gilmer County. Probably buried in Center Valley Cemetery where there are several unmarked graves near on For Mabel Moreland, whose gravestone identifies her as daughter of Dr. and Mrs. J. T. Moreland.

    Dr. S. C. Morgan, 1903, lived at Eton. Dentist.

    Dr. James N. Mullins, 1948, resided in Chatsworth.

    Dr. E. R. Munford, 1922, resided at Chatsworth. Dentist.

    Dr. William M. Painter,1894, lived at Cohutta Springs. Born in Tennessee.

    Dr. C. M. Park (1854-1888). Born January 9, 1853. Died April 22, 1888. Buried Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery, Tennga.

    Dr. J. F. Park (1858-1925). Born June 20, 188. Died August 27, 1925. Was a Mason. Buried in Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery, Tennga, Ga. Tombstone inscription: "A servant of suffering humanity."

    Dr. Joseph A. Price. Born about 1854. Addresses given as Cohutta Springs in 1882 and Loughridge, Georgia in 1886.

    Dr. Moses Quinn (1836-1890). Died April 16, 1890, aged 54 years and 5 months. Wife: Louvenia Jane Quinn, died December 2, 1889, aged 58 years, 8 months, 2 days. Both are buried in Sumach Cumberland Presbyterian Church Cemetery.

    Dr. John H. Randle, 1901, lived at Cohutta Springs. Born in Gilmer County.

    Dr. D. D. Rea, 1938. Lived in Chatsworth.

    Dr. E. T. Rembert. Wife has tombstone in Spring Place Cemetery: M. Louisa Rembert, Born December 30, 1820, died May 25, 1852. He probably is buried in one of the unmarked graves near her.

    Dr. F. S. Rorex, 1909, lived in Dalton. Born in Florida.

    Dr. B. L. Russell, 1910, lived at Eton.

    Dr. C. C. Russell, 1910, resided at Eton. Born in Pickens County. (Veterinarian).

    Dr. Charlie Russell, resided in Chatsworth.

    Dr. P. P. Sloan, 1860, lived at Spring Place.

    Dr. E. G. Stafford, 1870s, lived at Ramhurst. served in Civil War.

    Dr. Elisha Stafford (same as E. G. Stafford?). Lived near Dennis Mill.

    Dr. John H. Steed,1902, resided at Spring Place. Born in Murray County.

    Dr. Isaac Storie (or Stone?),1912, lived at Crandall. Dentist.

    Dr. J. C. Strawn,1899, lived at Dunn. Born in Murray County. Although no marker was found for the doctor, in Harris Family Cemetery at Eton, there is a marker (near dozens of unmarked graves) that reads: J. C. Strawn, Jr., 1903-1904.

    Dr. E. L. (Lafayette) Tarver, about 1850. Probably buried in one of the unmarked graves in Old Summerhouse Cemetery near grave marker for Jesse Beck Tarver. It includes inscription, son of Dr. E. L. (Lafayette) and Irene M. (Harrison) Tarver. Jesse was born December 13, 1861 and died April 13, 1863.

    Dr. E. M. Townsend, 1916, lived in Chatsworth.

    Dr. W. A. Trevena, lived in Copper Hill, Tennessee.

    Dr. B. B. Vandergriff, 1918, lived at Chatsworth. Dentist.

    Dr. B. E. Vining (1842-1920). Although no tombstone was found, he probably is in one of the unmarked graves near Mrs. B. E. Vining and near marked grave of Dr. John H. Vining, in Center Valley United Methodist Church Cemetery.

    Dr. John H. Vining (1866-1928). Born May 28, 1866. Probably son of Dr. B. E. Vining, listed above. Died August 14, 1928. Buried Center Valley United Methodist Church Cemetery.

    Dr. F. A. Williams. In practice in 1916.

    Dr. B. C. Wills (Wells?), 1903, lived at Spring Place. Born Dallas, Georgia.

    Dr. W. M. (Or was it M.W.?) Wilson,1889, lived at Hughes. Born in Murray County.

    Dr. J. C. Yancey, 1916, lived at Chatsworth. Dentist.


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