McWhorter, M. D., MD Union Co, MS

McWhorter, M. D., M.D., may properly be designated the dean of his profession in Union County, having been engaged in active practice at Blue Springs for nearly half a century. Dr. McWhorter was born in Lawrence County, Ala., in 1835, being a son of Cyrus A. and Ruth (Estel) McWhorter, who came to Union county in 1840, at which time the doctor was a child of five years. The father was one of the pioneer planters of the county and was a man of sterling character. He served under General Jackson in the Creek Indian war. He and his wife became the parents of nine sons and four daughters, concerning whom brief record is here entered: William removed to Texas, where he still resides, as does also James H., the next in order of birth, who was a soldier of the Confederacy in the Civil war, having served under Gen. Samuel Johnston, and having been lieutenant in his company. Dr. Benjamin F., was one of the able and honored physicians of Union county and was associated in practice with the subject of this sketch for many years, --up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1889. He attended college at LaGrange, Ala., and later was graduated in the Kentucky School of Medicine, in Louisville, and began the practice of his profession in Union county in 1853, here passing the remainder of his life. Before the division of the two counties he represented Pontotoc county in the State legislature for two terms and later was Union county's representative in the same body for two terms. In the Civil war he was captain of Company K, Thirty-first Mississippi infantry. He married Miss May Gould, daughter of Robert Gould, and they became the parents of seven children, of whom five are living. After the death of his first wife Dr. Benjamin F. McWhorter married Miss Margaret J. Level, and they had one son and one daughter, both of whom are living, as is also the mother. Capt. Samuel W. McWhorter was captain of a company in the Twenty-third Mississippi infantry in the Civil war, was captured by the Union men and was imprisoned on Johnston's island, in Lake Erie, where he died. John McWhorter, who died in Lamar County, Tex., served throughout the Civil war, as a member of the Thirty-first Mississippi infantry. The subject of this sketch was the next in order of birth. Harrison McWhorter was a member of the Thirty-first Mississippi infantry, and was killed in an engagement at Baton Rouge, La. Concerning the daughters it may be said that Telethia is the wife of F. E. Stephenson, of Union county; Angelina is the wife of James Strain, and Jane the wife of John Strain, both prosperous farmers of Union county; and Ruth is the wife of Hon. John P. Robinson, of Blue Springs. Dr. M. D. McWhorter, the immediate subject of this review, was afforded the advantages of the common schools of Union county, passing his youth on the home plantation. He attended college at LaGrange, Ala., and later entered the New Orleans School of Medicine, now the medical department of Tulane university, from which he graduated in 1858, receiving his well earned degree of Doctor of Medicine, and forthwith engaging in the practice of his profession. He is a member of the State medical association of Mississippi, is a stalwart supporter of the principles of the Democratic party, and is a citizen who commands unqualified confidence and esteem. Dr. McWhorter was united in marriage to Miss Sarah F. Gould, daughter of Robert Gould, who was a representative citizen of Union county, and the two children of this union are Samuel M., who is a graduate of the University of Mississippi and who is now a resident of the city of Memphis, Tenn., and Cyrus, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits, being a successful planter of Union County.

© 1997 by Betty Casey All rights reserved. This information may be used by libraries and genealogical societies, however, commercial use of this information is strictly prohibited without prior permission of the owner. If copied, this copyright notice must appear with the information.

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