Stephen Harris Rushing, M.D., Rapides Parish, La
Submitted by: Suzanne Shoemaker

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Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana
The Southern Publishing Company, Chicago & Nashville,  1890

     STEPHEN HARRIS RUSHING, M. D., is one of the most trustworthy physicians
and surgeons of Rapides Parish, La., and as he has obtained a liberal share
of public favor, it is one of the best proofs of his skill and care.  He
was born near Wadesboro, Anson County, N. C., October 25, 1834, being a son
of Col. James Madison and Susan (Rushing) Rushing (not related), the former
of whom was a successful and prosperous cotton planter and a representative
man of his county.  Both were descended from old and prominent families,
who made names for themselves during the Revolutionary War, and after its
close devoted themselves mainly to agricultural pursuits, though many
became ministers, professional and business men.  In about 1835 the parents
removed to Alabama and settled in Sumter County, where the subject of this
sketch grew to manhood, obtaining in the meantime a good literary education
in Tutwiler College at Green Springs, Ala., after which he began studying
medicine and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia
in 1853.  The next year was spent in practicing on his father's plantation
in Sumter County, but the following year came to Louisiana, spending about
eight months in practicing in Ouachita Parish, after which he traveled
until 1856, at the end of which time he decided to locate at Evergreen,
Avoyelles Parish, where he remained until the opening of the Rebellion.  He
immediately enlisted as a private in the Confederate Army, but was
appointed staff surgeon for brave Gen. Finley in the Army of Tennessee, in
which capacity he served until the surrender.  He then returned to
Evergreen, resumed his practice, and here remained until 1880, when he came
to Alexandria, of which place he has been one of the leading practitioners
ever since.  He has a paying practice in the town and surrounding country,
and as he is painstaking and very faithful in the discharge of his duties
he fully deserves his success.  He was married at Evergreen to Miss
Flavilla J. Duvall, a native of Louisiana and a descendent of an honorable
Maryland family.  The Doctor and his wife have three daughters:  Inez May,
Mary Eliza (wife of Thomas Moore Biossat), and Flavilla Duvall.  The Doctor
has long been a Mason and has passed through all the degrees of the
chapter.  He is a member of the Episcopal Church, of which his two eldest
daughters are also members, but his wife and third daughter are Methodists.
 In connection with his practice he carries on planting, and from his
earliest childhood has been familiar with the culture of cotton.