Dale County AlArchives Photo person.....An Editorial, Dr. A.D. Matthews August 5 1957 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/al/alfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Christine Thacker http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00033.html#0008100 June 2, 2004, 12:15 pm Source: The Southern Star Photo can be seen at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/al/dale/photos/gph431aneditor.jpg Image file size: 46.8 Kb 40 Years Ago, Sept. 5, 1957....Reprinted Sept. 3, 1997. An Editorial In Honor Of Dr. A. D. Matthews Upon the dedication of THE DR. A. D. MATTHEWS STADIUM we pause to honor our esteemed physician, citizen, and neighbor ,who has rendered a lifetime of service to the people of Ozark and Dale County. With the possible execution of the ministry no profession gives a man the opportunity to serve God and his fellow man as the practice of medicine does. In his quiet and genial manner Dr. Matthews has long exemplified the honor and high sense of ethics that are associated with his profession. Although he was forced to retire from active practice two years ago after more than 42 years as a practicing physician; he has maintained the keen interest in civic, religious and educational activities of the community that have characterized him as an outstanding citizen. In addition to his medical practice Dr. Matthews has been a member of the Dale County Board of Education since 1921 and has served as its chairman since 1937. Augustus Douglas Matthews was born at Rocky Head, Alabama, on October 9, 1886, the son of Thomas Monroe Matthews and Ellafare (Trant) Matthews, both native Dale Countians. He received his early education in the Rocky Head Elementary School and later graduated from the Baptist Collegiate Institute at Newton, a Junior College. Deciding to pursue the profession of medicine, he entered the Alabama Medical College at Mobile in the fall of 1907. Graduating from Medical School, which had become a part of the University of Alabama by that time, in May of 1911, he went to New York for his internship. During the following year he served on the staff of Bellvue Hospital,Post Graduate Hospital and Lying-in Hospital; at the latter he served as Assistant House Surgeon. While in medical school he became affiliated with Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta pi and was a member of the George A. Ketcham Medical and Surgical Society. After completing his Internship young Dr. Matthews returned to his home county, opening his office in Arlton in 1913. On December 23 of this same year he was married to Tommie Fain. daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Fain of Ozark. This union has been blessed with two daughters: Mrs. W. R. Revel of Selma, the former Catherine Fain Matthews, and Nell Fain Matthews, who died in 1931 at the age of 13. As the young wife of a rural doctor, Mrs. Matthews soon found out that she was an invaluable link between him and his patients. While Dr. Matthews was away on calls that would sometimes carry him over a 20 mile route. over dirt, roads by horse and buggy in all weather conditions, she kept in touch with him by the rural telephone system that was in operation at that time. Many times she recalls relaying urgent calls, sending him from one farm to another, tending, healing and comforting his patients. With the exception of a few months during World War I, when he was commissioned a 1st Lieutenant in the Medical Corps, Dr. Matthews continued his practice in Ariton until 1933, when he moved with his family to Ozark to open his office and establish residence at 408 Broad Street, which has been his permanent home since that time. While in the Medical Corps during World War 1 he was attached to the famous 81st Wildcat Division. He has attended many reunions of this division. It will be remembered as the first division to train at Fort Rucker in World War II, and for its combat service in the Pacific. Through the years he has always been respected and loved by his patients. His steady forbearance was always reassuring to those who sought his aid. Looking back on his career one particular period stands out. Most of you recall those trying months. During the latter part of World War II three of Ozark's able and long established physicians died in the period of a years time. Two of our younger doctors were in the military service. This left Dr. Matthews as the only physician in Ozark and one of three in Dale County at that time. During these trying times he practically worked around the clock, requiring three shifts of nurses in his office. For this service the people should always be grateful that such a man was here to serve. Many changes have transpired in medicine during his 42 years of practice. He can look back on the time that the nearest hospital to Ozark was in Montgomery, some years later in Dothan, and finally our well equipped and modern hospital became a reality to serve Ozark and Dale County. He has always led a very active life. He is past commander and a member of Post 82, American Legion; past president and a member of the Kiwanis Club of Ozark; member and deacon of the Ozark Baptist Church; a member of Ozark Lodge No. 349, F & AM, and also a member of the Knights of Phythias; a charter member and currently an honorary member of the Ozark Country Club; member and past president of the Dale County Medical Society; member of the American Medical Association; and the first Chief of Staff of the Medical Staff of the Dale County Hospital. That this new stadium, which the youth of this city will benefit from for years to come bears the name of THE DR. A. D. MATTHEWS STADIUM, is indeed a fitting tribute. * Augustus Douglas Matthews b oct. 9, 1886 d Feb. 20, 1959,buried Mt Olive Cem. * Tomie Fain Matthews b Oct.16, 1916 d Jan. 19, 1982 "". This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/ File size: 6.0 Kb