Samuel L. Joyner, M. D., Bienville Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by Mike Miller

**********************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm
**********************************************

Samuel L. Joyner, M. D. Member of an old and substantial Natchitoches Parish family, Dr. Samuel L Joyner for the past twenty years has practiced medicine and surgery over a wide section of country around Ashland, where he has a country home and where in the intervals of his professional work he enjoys the sports and pastimes of outdoors. He enjoys hunting and is also a fisherman.

Doctor Joyner was born in Bienville Parish, eight miles north of his present home, on September 19, 1876, son of Marion R. and Margaret (Lusky) Joyner.  His grandfather was Andrew Joyner.  Marion R. Joyner was born in Twiggs County, Georgia, and was a child when brought by his stepfather, John Bridges, to Louisiana.  He became a farmer and plantation owner, and also conducted a mill, gin and store at Ashland.  He was a leader in local affairs, serving on the Parish School Board, and was deeply interested in the welfare of the schools, always willing to vote for a school tax.  He had taught when a young man.  He was elected about 1900 and served four years in the Legislature.  He attended a number of parish and state conventions before the primary law went into effect. He was a Scottish Rite Mason, taking his higher degrees in Minden, Louisiana, and was an effective public speaker.  Marion R. Joyner died in 1917, when about seventy years of age.  His wife was a daughter of George Lusky, a Confederate soldier and a native of Alabama.  She was born in Louisiana.  They had a family of thirteen children, eight sons and five daughters.  The sons now living are:  Tillman A.,  John, and  Henry, all farmers in Natchitoches Parish Lane and Harry, both veterans of the World war, Harry being now Connected with the Humble Pipe Line Company, at Wichita, Texas.

Samuel L. Joyner, the oldest son, received his early education in local schools, attending high school at Coushatta and Bienville, and for one term taught a school.  As the oldest son he early became associated with his father in business, remaining until his younger brothers were able to assume responsibilities.  He then entered the Memphis Hospital Medical College, where he was graduated M. D. in 1903.  As an undergraduate he practiced during vacations at Friendship, and after graduating located at Ashland, where he has been an esteemed and skilled doctor.  He is a member of the various medical societies, and in 1920 was appointed a member of the parish police jury.

Doctor Joyner in 1898, before entering medical College, married Miss Courtney Hathorn, daughter of Alonzo Hathorn of Ashland.  She died in 1921.  Four children survive her, the eldest being a daughter named for her father,  Samuel L., and now the wife of Osie C. Motley, a field superintendent of an oil company at Elm Grove.  The daughter,  Ruth, and the sons,  Marion,  Ben and  Robert are all at home  There were two other children:  Harry, who died when five years old, and  Mary, who died at the age of two.  Doctor Joyner married for his second wife Laurie Simon, daughter of David Stemon, of Claiborne Parish.  Mrs. Joyner is a member of the Methodist Church, and he is affiliated with the Masonic Order.

A History of Louisiana, (vol. 2), p. 17, by Henry E. Chambers.  Published by The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, 1925.