Pulaski County GaArchives History .....Doctors 1935
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 July 28, 2004, 11:05 am

THE DOCTORS OF PULASKI COUNTY

   The physicians have been among our foremost citizens. This record is
absolutely correct as to fact, but not definite as to dates, the history of the
present generations are acquired by tradition, supported by collateral facts
such as the records in the office of the clerk of the Superior Court, Masonic
Lodges and Chapter.

   Hawkinsville was surveyed and chartered in 1830. The greatest physician of
this entire section in his day was Dr. R. N. Taylor, who lived in old Hartford
and upon establishment of this town had his home in Hartford taken down and
moved across the river Ocmulgee in a flat and rebuilt here. The same house is
now standing and is owned by Mr. Geo. Budd-near what is known as DeLamar's or
Southern Heights.

   Dr. Frazier and Dr. Oakley practiced here before and during the Civil War, as
also Dr. Laidler, Dr. Clark, Dr. Fort, Dr. A. R. Taylor, Dr. S. W. Taylor, and
Dr. Ryan. Drs. S. W. Taylor and Laidler were in the Civil War. Dr. Clark was
captain 5th Georgia Reserves in the Civil War, and Dr. A. R. Taylor was a
regimental surgeon in the Civil War.

   Just after the war, Dr. E. F. Way moved here and for years did a large and
lucrative practice. He was highly educated and could read Greek as readily as he
could English. He was the father of the late Hon. S. A. Way, druggist, mayor,
and legislator.

   Dr. C. H. Colding came here and practiced for a good many years and moved to
Savannah to be resident physician in the Savannah Hospital.

   One of the most prominent physicians in his day was Dr. T. D. L. Ryan, who
did an immense and successful practice before the war. He spent four years in
the war and then returned and practiced here until he died.

   Dr. S. W. Taylor, after the war, moved to Florida, and returned here in the
early eighties and practiced for about ten years and then moved to Cordele. He
was a good physician and an honest, high-toned man.

   Dr. Laidler was our Mayor just after the war. He moved to Dooly County. Dr.
Herschel V. Johnson, a son of the distinguished Georgian, Herschel V. Johnson of
Civil War time, practiced here for several years after the war, and had the
reputation of being a learned man.

   Dr. Augustus R. Taylor, except for his service as regimental surgeon during
the four years of the Civil War, practiced here.

   Dr. N. P. Jelks was born in Hawkinsville. His father, Col. J. 0. Jelks, moved
to Florida. Dr. N. P. Jelks enlisted in the Confederate

p. 62

army from Florida and as soon as the war closed went to New York, graduating
from Bellevue Hospital Medical College in the class with the eminent surgeon,
Dr. Joseph L. Bryant, and located here, where he practiced the rest of his life.
Dr. A. A. Smith, who, after four years' exposure to the high alto of whistling
minnie balls and the thundering bass of the heavy artillery of the Northern army
as a youthful soldier of the Southern Confederacy, studied medicine and located
here in 1886, and has until recently been most active in the practice. His
recognized ability secured for him the presidency of the Georgia Medical
Association, and for a long time he was one of the examiners of the Georgia
State Board of Medical Examiners.

   Dr. A. W. Purifoy, able and charitable, was always a friend to the poor.

   Dr. E. H. Taylor, after practicing a number of years near Valdosta, located
here. He was a son of Dr. R. N. Taylor, a brother of Dr. A. R. Taylor.

   Next came Dr. F. M. Jordan, a perfect gentleman, an ethical physician, and a
splendid surgeon. He was the first man to introduce the practice of antiseptic
surgery in this community.

   Next in order, as follows (* indicates deceased):
Dr. S. A. Riley,* 
Dr. J. R. Fielder,* 
Dr. W. 0. Cook,* 
Dr. Alex. Mack,* 
Dr. E. C. Brown, 
Dr. W. A. Matthews,* 
Dr. H. Frederick,* 
Dr. J. L. Matthews,* 
Dr. J. J. Stone,* 
Dr. R. G. Stone, 
Dr. J. W. Polhill,* 
Dr. K. A. Carroll,* 
Dr. Gerald Peacock,* 
Dr. J. H. Hendrix,* 
Dr. A. B. Burns,* 
Dr. A. R. Bush, 
Dr. J. M. Horne, 
Dr. E. C. Harris.

  No history can adequately give the facts of the service rendered by this noble
band of physicians. They wrought well in their chosen profession.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from 
"HISTORY OF PULASKI COUNTY GEORGIA"

OFFICIAL HISTORY

COMPILED BY THE HAWKINSVILLE CHAPTER
DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
PRESS OF WALTER W. BROWN PUBLISHING COMPANY
ATLANTA, GEORGIA

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