Pike County AlArchives Photo Person.....Willis, Thomas L., M.D., D.D.S. (Sepia Photograph) ************************************************ 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: T. Bradford Willis http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00031.html#0007638 October 4, 2012, 11:00 am Source: John Todd Willis Name: Thomas L., M.D., D.D.S. (Sepia Photograph) Willis Photo can be seen at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/al/pike/photos/willis11377gph.jpg Image file size: 155.6 Kb Thomas L. Willis, M.D., D.D.S. Thomas L. Willis was born on June 27, 1824 in Georgia. It is believed that he was a son of William W. Willis (ca. 1794-1874) and Elizabeth Middlebrook Willis (1795-1862) who are buried in Baptist Rest Cemetery in Brundidge, Pike County, Alabama. William W. Willis served in the Georgia Militia during the War of 1812, and his service and lineal descent through Thomas L. Willis has been accepted by the General Society of the War of 1812. Thomas L. Willis received his medical education at the Medical College of Georgia. His 1849 matriculation ticket, his November 1849 card for institutes and practice of medicine, and his November 1849 card for lectures on obstetrics and diseases of women and infants are still in existence. His hometown was listed as Milltown, Chambers County, Alabama while he was a student at the Medical College of Georgia. On June 17, 1858, Thomas L. Willis and Letitia Barnett Huchison were married in Decatur County, Georgia by the Rev. G. W. Fagg, a Methodist minister. Letitia Barnett Hutchison was born on December 8, 1828 and was the daughter of John Hutchison (1800-1856) and Malinda Penelope Craig Hutchison (1804-1876) who are buried in Attapulgus Presbyterian Cemetery in Decatur County, Georgia. Thomas L. Willis and Letitia Barnett Hutchison Willis had the following known children: Thomas Middlebrook Willis (1859-1937) who married Sallie Ann Parker, Jessie Elizabeth "Bettie" Willis (1861-1934) who married John R. Rabb, and John P. Willis (1864-1884). On the 1860 census, the Thomas L. Willis family is listed in Decatur County Georgia, and his occupation is listed as a physician. They are living next door to Malinda Craig Hutchison. In 1866, the Willis family moved from Pike County, Alabama to Waco, McLennan County, Texas where they planned on residing. While in Waco, they stayed with a relative, Dr. James Madison Willis. Later, Dr. Thomas L. Willis met with a Waco resident to buy a home for his family. While talking with the Waco resident about his property, the man was shot. After this incident Dr. Willis was ready to return to Alabama which he felt was more civilized. His wife, Letitia, persuaded him to remain in Texas for one year. If he was not happy with Texas after that time, she said that they could return to Alabama. Around February 1867, the Willis family traveled by stagecoach to Weatherford, Parker County, Texas where they would reside for the next five years. In Weatherford, he established a medical practice. Later that year, Dr. Willis traveled to Maryland for a six month course in dentistry at Baltimore College of Dental Surgery. He later returned to Weatherford to also practice dentistry. In the August 26, 1871 issue of the Weatherford Times is the following advertisement: DR. T. L. WILLIS, PHYSICIAN AND DENTIST, Offers his professional services to the people of Weatherford and surrounding country. Charges:-Mileage, day, $0.50 Mileage, night, $1.00 Visit, during the day, $1.00 Visit in town, including medicine, $2.00 Obstetrics, $10.00 OFFICE at A. S. Fain's Drug Store, where he can be found during the day, unless professionally absent, July 15, 1871. His Masonic life began in Phoenix Lodge No. 275 of Weatherford, where he was initiated June 23, 1868, passed August 22, 1868, and raised September 26, 1868. He served the Lodge as Senior Steward in 1871. He demitted from Phoenix Lodge on October 28, 1871, and affiliated with Stanfield Lodge No. 217 of Denton on March 23, 1872. He served as Junior Warden in 1875 and went suspended for non-payment of dues on November 10, 1884. In 1872, the Willis family moved to Denton, Denton County, Texas where he continued to practice dentistry. On March 31, 1889, Dr. Thomas Willis passed away, and a graveside service was officiated by the Rev. Mr. Chalk at the Odd Fellows' (I.O.O.F.) Cemetery in Denton on April 1, 1889. Letitia Willis later moved to Abilene, Taylor County, Texas where her son Thomas Middlebrook Willis and his family resided. There she was a member of the First Methodist Church. She later died on January 23, 1925 in Abilene and was buried on January 24,1925 next to her husband at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery of Denton. This information was taken from the book: Thomas L. Willis, MD, DDS, 1824-1889, Pioneer Texas Physician and Dentist, by T. Bradford Willis, DDS, MSD. 2010. The following is an obituary for Dr. Thomas L. Willis from the Dallas Morning News on April 3, 1889, p. 5: Denton, Tex., April 1. -Dr. T. L. Willis died at his residence here yesterday evening of chronic rheumatism. Dr. Willis was one of the oldest citizens of this place, and had practiced his profession for many years, but on account of his health had retired from the practice several years ago. He was a highly esteemed citizen with many friends throughout the state. The remains were interred at 4 o'clock this evening in the presence of a large assemblage of his relatives and friends. The following is an obituary for Dr. Thomas L. Willis from the Texas Courier Record of Medicine, Vol. VI, No. 8, April 1889: DIED-Dr. T. L. Willis, at Denton, March 31st, 1889. Dr. Willis was one of the oldest citizens of Denton, and had practiced his profession for many years, but on account of bad health, had retired from the practice several years ago. Family: Parents: William W. Willis (ca. 1794 - 1874) Elizabeth Middlebrook Willis (1795 - 1862) Spouse: Letitia Barnett Hutchison Willis (1828 - 1925) Children: Thomas Middlebrook Willis (1859 - 1937) Jessie Elizabeth Willis Rabb (1861 - 1934) John P. Willis (1864 - 1884) File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/pike/photos/willis11377gph.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/ File size: 6.5 Kb