Fulton-Wilkes-Clarke County GaArchives Obituaries.....Calhoun, Dr., Abner Welborn August 1910
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Candace (Teal) Gravelle http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00023.html#0005680 September 5, 2006, 12:17 am

"The Newnan Herald and Advertiser"
Newnan, Coweta Co., Georgia

NEWSPAPER Issue of Friday, August 26, 1910

A GREAT MAN GONE; Death of Dr. Abner W. Calhoun

Dr. Abner W. Calhoun, one of Atlanta's foremost citizens and one of the most 
noted physicians in the South, died Sunday morning at 1 o'clock after an 
illness of several months. While his death was not entirely unexpected, yet 
it was not known until a late hour Saturday night that the end was near.

Two years ago, Dr. Calhoun's health began to fail and last January he became 
so much worse that he had to give up the practice of his profession. For 
four or five months prior to his death he became so ill that his life was 
despaired of, but he would rally and give hopes of recovery. Saturday night 
it was seen that he was sinking, and surrounded by his family, he passed 
away as the early dawn was breaking.

In the death of Dr. Calhoun, Atlanta loses one of her best citizens, and the 
world a physician whose work in life was to relieve suffering humanity. 
While his practice was munificent, het he probably did more work free of 
cost to those unable to pay than any other physician in the South. Outside 
of his profession his great deeds of charity, but little known to the world, 
made many thankful hearts utter his name in prayers of benediction.

As an oculist his fame was nationwide and from every part of the country 
patients came to consult him and to be treated by the master eye and hand 
that made him great in the scientific world.

In private life, he was loved by all who knew him. His manners were 
unassuming and he quietly practiced his profession with fidelity, 
faithfulness and charity, as if he believed his call to such a work came 
from God whom he so well served in life.

Dr. Abner Wellborn Calhoun was a native Georgian, being born in Newnan, 
Coweta county, on April 16, 1845. He was 65 years of age at his last 
birthday. His father was Dr. Andrew B. Calhoun of Newnan, one of the leading 
medical practitioners in the state and his mother, Miss Susan Wellborn, was 
a member of an old and prominent family of Wilkes county. Dr. Calhoun was 
the third child and eldest son, Mrs. Devine, wife of the late Dr. K.C. 
Devine of Atlanta and Mrs. Lizzie Caldwell of Newnan being his oldest 
sisters, while Mrs. John Hill of Atlanta and Newnan was his youngest sister. 
His brothers were Judge Andrew E. Calhoun of Atlanta and Ephriam Ramsey 
Calhoun who died at the family home in Newnan. Only two of his six children 
are now living, Mrs. Hill and Judge Calhoun.

Dr. Abner W. Calhoun was a month less than sixteen years of age when he 
became a soldier of the South. In March preceding his sixteenth birthday, as 
a private in the Newnan Guards, he enlisted in the Confederate Army, the 
Guards becoming Company A of the First Georgia Regiment, the same regiment 
with which the Gate City Guard of Atlanta went to the front. He went through 
that four years' struggle as a private and surrendered with General Lee at 
Appomattox. The night before his surrender, because of his clerical ability, 
he was directed by General Gordon to prepare a roll of all able bodied men 
in his regiment and when he handed that roll to General Gordon the morning 
of the surrender, his regiment (it was then known as the Twelfth Georgia 
Battalion) showed 76 men fit for service.

The war over, Dr. Calhoun returned to his old home in Newnan and at once 
resumed his literary studies under a private teacher. Two years later he 
began the study of medicine under his father and subsequently was graduated 
from the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, standing first in his 
class. Again, he returned to Newnan and with his father, began the practice 
of his profession. This he continued with marked success for two or three 
years, when he went to Europe to perfect himself as a specialist, having 
selected eye, ear and throat as his line of work.

After two years in Europe, Dr. Calhoun came home and located in Atlanta, 
associating himself with the late Dr. Westmoreland, then one of the most 
renowned physicians in the South in the general practice of medicine. A year 
or so later, Dr. Calhoun severed is practice with Dr. Westmoreland to embark 
as a specialist, to become the first ear, eye and throat specialist in 
Atlanta. He opened offices on Broad street and there he remained until he 
built on Marietta street, where the Beck & Gregg Hardware Co. is now housed.

Dr. Calhoun met with pronounced success from his entry into his new field 
and within a short time was known not only throughout the South but all over 
the country, his reputation extending across the Atlantic. But he was never 
so busy with his well-to-do patients that he did not take time to treat the 
less fortunate but with all the patience within him. "Never in all my 
practice have I failed to give my attention to a patient bcause he did not 
have the dollar", he once remarked to a friend. "I have treated the rich and 
the poor alike."

Dr. Calhoun was married in 1877 to Miss Lula Phinizy of Athens, daughter of 
the late Ferdinand Phinizy, and she survives him. His first home was on 
Washington and Mitchell streets, now Capitol place, and it was there, that 
four children, two sons and daughters, came to gladden their lives. The 
children are Dr. Phinizy Calhoun, associated with his late father in his 
professional work, Mrs. J.G. Oglesby Jr., Andrew Calhoun, and Miss Harriet 
Calhoun. Only recently Dr. Calhoun had completed and moved into a 
magnificent home on Peachtree street at Fifth St.

Standing six feet, two inches, Dr. Calhoun presented an athletic build. He 
was a picture of health and strength all his life up to a few months ago, 
when his health began to fail. He was a man of most excellent address, and 
would attract attention at any gathering. Vigorous and healthy, his face, 
it's strong features making it handsome, was ever wreathed in smiles. An 
excellent conversationist, he was always interesting to those gathered about 
him, but he was reticent and rarely indulged in conversation except with his 
warmest friends.

Dr. Calhoun's health had been failing for the past year but he refused to 
give up his work and continued in his office until about four months ago, 
when he found himself unable to leave his bed. Gradually, but surely, he 
grew weaker day by day, the malady refusing to yield to the most successful 
and scientific treatments known to the members of the profession in Atlanta.

But Dr. Calhoun some weeks ago, realized that nothing could be done for him, 
that his days were numbered. And as he met every obstacle in life, calmly 
and without fear of the result, so did he face the last minutes. He had 
lived an honest, upright life, always doing all the good he could, 
therefore, the crossing over had no terrors for him.

On account of the illness of Mrs. Calhoun and her daughter Mrs. J.G. Oglesby 
Jr., the funeral, which will take place at 4 o'clock this afternoon will be 
held at the late residence instead of in the church. Rev. Dunbar Ogden, 
pastor of the Central Presbyterian church will conduct the services. The 
interment will be in the Oakland cemetery. Mrs. Calhoun's six brothers, 
Jacob, Leonard, Stewart, Charles, Barrett and Billups Phinizy will act as 
pallbearers.



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