SWORDS, Merrick W., M.D., Lafourche, Orleans Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by Mike Miller
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Louisiana:  Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and
Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), p. 424.  Edited by Alc?e
Fortier, Lit.D.  Published in 1914, by Century Historical Association.

Swords, Merrick W., M. D., New Orleans, La., was born at Big Cane, La., in
1883; son of Manon L. and Aola (Wards) Swords, the first-named parent having
been born at Big Cane, where he has continued to reside, and at the present
time holds the office of sheriff of St. Landry parish.  The mother, daughter
of Dr. T. C. Ward, was born at Moreauville, Avoyelles parish.  The paternal
grandfather, James T. Swords, moved from  Georgia and located at Big Cane
previous to the Civil war. He has devoted his energies to the business of
planter, and has represented his district in the Louisiana state legislature
when he felt called upon to do so.  The paternal great-grandfather came from 
Swordstown, Ireland, to America, and located in Georgia, where he resided
until the close of his life.  Marion L. Swords served as assessor of St.
Landry parish for 1 term.  During this time the great fight for white
supremacy took place in Louisiana, and because of his refusal to register
negro voters, it is said, he was arrested and confined in jail by the opposing
faction.  It is related that Mr. Swords has the distinction of being the only
man in Louisiana who has been imprisoned on such a charge.  Merrick W. Swords
received his earlier education in the public schools of St. Landry parish, and
after finishing at the high school he, in 1900, entered the medical department
of Tulane university.  In 1902 he found it necessary to leave the university
for a time, but in 1905 returned, and in 1907 graduated with the degree of M.
D.  After obtaining his medical degree he returned to his home town and there
engaged in general practice until 1910, when he took a post-graduate course in
genito-urinary diseases, under Prof. Hugh H. Young, at Johns Hopkins
university.  Early in 1911 he engaged in practice in New Orleans, and in the
latter part of that year formed a partnership with Dr. H. F. Ader.  This
partnership has continued since its formation.  For 2-1/2 
years Dr. Swords
served as visiting genito-urinary surgeon to Charity hospital and is at this
time chief genito-urinary visiting surgeon at the Presbyterian hospital, New
Orleans.  He is a member of the Orleans parish, the Louisiana State and the
American Medical associations, Benevolent Order of Elks, and the Chess,
Checkers and Whist club.  In 1912 Dr. Swords was married to Miss Lorrie
Cullom.  They have 1 son, Cullom, born in 1905.