MAY, Irby B., M. D., Caldwell Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by Mike Miller

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

Louisiana:  Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and
Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), pp. 639-640.  Edited by Alcée
Fortier, Lit.D.  Published in 1914, by Century Historical Association.

May, Irby Benjamin, M. D., of Columbia, his native town, was born Aug. 26,
1872.  His father was Joseph M. May, who was born in Mississippi in 1802,
moved to Louisiana when a young man and followed farming and stockraising. 
His mother was Mrs. Sarah (Kirkland) Merredith, a widow, who became the third
wife of Mr. May.  By his first wife he was the father of 7, and by his second
wife, 2 children.  The children of Mr. May's third marriage were:  Robert M., 
Dr. Irby Benjamin,  Maude, now Mrs. O. W. Ewing, and  Cynthia, twin of Maude,
died in infancy.  Irby B. May spent his boyhood and youth on the farm.  At 18
years of age he lost his father by death, but he remained on the farm  with
his mother and younger brother until he attained his majority.  Following
that, he alternately worked and attended school until he had completed a
common school education.  In 1901, at the age of 29, he entered the medical
department of the University of the South, at Sewanee, Tenn., where he
remained 2 years.  He then went to Indian Territory and practiced medicine 2
years, after which he returned to the university at Sewanee to complete his
studies.  In 1905 he graduated in pharmacy, with the degree of Ph. G., and in
1906 was granted the degree of M. D., graduating with honors.  He was
president of the graduating class, a member of the John S. Cain Medical and
Surgical society in the university, and also a member of the Hayden West
Obstetrical and Gynecological society.  Dr. May has a large practice in
Columbia and vicinity, as well as a large trade in his drug store, which he
operates at that place.  He belongs to the Louisiana State and the Caldwell
parish Medical societies, of the latter of which he is president.  He is a
member of the Masonic order, the Knights of Honor, the Knights of Pythias and
the Columbian Woodmen.  June 10, 1908, Dr. May was married to Miss Bulah,
daughter of W. L. Meyers, of Sewanee, Tenn., and 3 children have been born to
this union:  Irby Lee, a girl, living with her grandparents in Sewanee, Tenn.; 
Cecil Dale and  William Lawrence.  W. L. Meyers is an attorney in Sewanee and
was instrumental in breaking up the blind tiger business in the mountains of
eastern Tennessee.  He is also a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church,
in which he is an active worker and represented the church before the supreme
court in its contest growing out of the union of some of the churches with the
northern Presbyterian church.  Mrs. May is a member of the Cumberland
Presbyterian church in Sewanee, Tenn.  Dr. May's career illustrates in a
splendid way what perseverance and industry will do to lift a man from
difficult situations to higher places in business and social circles.