Way Back Wednesday in Calhoun County---March 14-March 20

With Spring on its way that means it’s time for flowers and trees to bloom. The trees and flowers bring with them allergies and doctor’s visits. In the 21st Century, we have state-of-the-art medical facilities and doctors who specialize in all forms of aliments. Early Calhoun County, even without medical facilities, did have the best care available at the time: The country doctor.

One of the earliest doctors to arrive in Calhoun County was Dr. J. C. Francis of Tennessee. In 1837, he and his family settled in Jacksonville where he built a two-room Greek Revival office building on the corner of the town square around 1840. Dr. Francis practiced medicine in Jacksonville along with his eldest son, Miller, and his son’s brother-in-law, Dr. Courtney. J. Clark. The doctors were both physician and pharmacist to their patients. All three were well-known physicians but the practice closed with the death of J.C. Francis in 1888.

Following the arrival of Dr. Francis and his family, came Dr. Atkinson Pelham. By 1838, Dr. Pelham had settled in Alexandria where his wife, Martha, gave birth to the most famous of their eight children, John. Dr. Pelham continued to practice medicine in the county until his death in 1880. The Pelhams were descended from some early colonial patriots from Williamsburg, Va.

These country doctors served the surrounding communities until the arrival of the Noble Iron Works Company in 1872. Samuel Noble hired Dr. Richard Procter Huger of South Carolina as the company physician and Dr. J. L. Wikle of Georgia as the company pharmacist. After the Nobles opened the company town to the public in 1883, both physicians settled in town. Dr. Huger, whose second wife was the niece of Samuel Noble, established a practice near his home on 18th Street and Wilmer Avenue as well as served in the early city government. Dr. Wikle also remained and built his pharmacy at 1010 Noble Street. He, like Dr. Huger, was also active in local politics until his death.

Another early physician and pharmacist that arrived in Anniston was Dr. Charles E. Thomas. Dr. Thomas, who attended Tuskegee, opened his drug store at 124 West Tenth Street to serve the African-American community. Like many medical professions of the time, Dr. Thomas also treated patients in his office at the drugstore. Dr. Thomas continued practicing medicine and operating his drug store until his passing in 1933.

For many years, these country and city doctors were the lifeline of Calhoun County citizens. Hospitals to treat the local citizens did not come about until the early 20th Century and are the topic for next week’s edition of Way Back Wednesday in Calhoun County Blog.

To learn more about the history of Calhoun County pick up a copy of Images of America: Calhoun County (ISBN 978-0738589985), Anniston (ISBN 978-0738506012), or Anniston Revisited (ISBN 978-1467114752) by Kimberly O’Dell.