Dooly-Lee County GaArchives Biographies.....John T. Lamar, MD March 10 1832 - 1901 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Valerie (Johnson) Freeman vcjfreeman@aol.com July 19, 2003, 5:51 pm Author: Unknown MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA CONTAINING HISTORICAL ACCOUNTS OF THE STATE'S CIVIL, MILITARY INDUSTRIAL AND PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS AND PERSONAL SKETCHES OF MANY OF ITS PEOPLE VOL. II ATLANTA, GA. THE SOUTHERN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION, 1895 TERRELL COUNTY JOHN T. LAMAR, physician and planter, Dawson, Terrell Co., son of Nathan and Sarah (Brooks) Lamar, was born in Irwin county, Ga., March 10, 1832. The Lamar family descended from three brothers who came from France early in the history of the colonies, one of who settled in Georgia, one in Maryland, and one in a northern state. His grandfather, James Lamar, was descended from the one who settled in Georgia, married Miss Alsanah Howard, Jan. 20, 1790, moved to Alabama, among its earliest settlers, and became one of its most prominent citizens. He was a successful planter and prospered, and lived in Alabama many years. Bereaved of his wife he returned to Georgia and settled in Columbia county, where he died at an advanced age, a consistent member of the Baptist church. They had the following children: Osborn, who died young; Elizabeth, married a Mr. Barnett, who became quiet prominent in Georgia, and died in Greene county, Ga., aged ninety-six; Nathan; Alsanah, married a Mr. Hatter, settled in Columbia county and died Sept. 22, 1871. John H., died in Alabama when a young man. Dr. Lamar's father, Nathan, was born in Alabama, Oct. 13, 1796, was educated in the common schools and grew to manhood in Columbia county; and lived there afterward some years. Thence he moved to Irwin county among its earliest settlers-and settled in the woods. He continued his residence there until about the time the Cherokee Indians were removed, when he moved his family and lived in Crawford and Houston counties until his death, which occurred in 1847. His wife died in Terrell county at the home of the subject of this sketch in 1889-a consistent member of the Baptist church. Five children were born to them: John T., the subject of this sketch; Henry G., born in 1837, planter, Dooly county; Frances, deceased, married first to a Mr. Shria, who died soon after th war, when she married T. Swearingen, and died in Dooly county in 1878; Elizabeth, died unmarried during the late war; Alsanah, Mrs. Gilmore, Dooly county. Dr. Lamar was principally raised and educated in Houston and Crawford counties in the "old-field" schools-and what education he received was obtained before he was twelve years old. In 1848 his mother removed with her family to the Seventh district, Dooly county, where he worked on the farm until January, 1852, when he went to Americus, Ga., and worked as a mechanic a few months. In May that year he went to Starkville, Lee county, and worked at his trade until 1855. During all these years he employed his nights and all leisure time in study and improving his education. Early in 1855 he began the study of medicine with Drs. C.P. Sutton and James A. Tilman, Starksville, and in the winter of 1855-56 attended a course of lectures at the university of New York. About May 1, 1856, he commenced the practice in Lee county, and in January, 1857, located in Dawson, then a small town, and succeeded in building up a fine practice. In 1858 he attended lectures at the Atlanta Medical college, and after his graduation continued his practice in Terrell and adjoining counties. In April, 1862, he enlisted in a cavalry company, of which Rev. Tom Jordan was captain. This company became a part of what was known as the Second Regiment, Georgia cavalry, Col. William J. Lawton, which was stationed at Atlanta a while, then transferred to Chattanooga, where, with a Tennessee and the Eighth Texas regiments it became a part of what was known as the Forrest brigade of cavalry, and was assigned to the western army. He served with this command until the surrender, a portion of the time as assistant surgeon. In May, 1865, he returned to his family, then living at Botsford, Sumter Co., Ga-having gone there in the summer of war-and resumed the practice of his profession. With no money and no property and a growing family of small children, the doctor alludes to this as the darkest period of his life. In 1870 he moved back to Terrell county, where he successfully pursued his profession until his health failed. He owns several farms ranging from 50 to 350 acres each, in the northern part of the county. Dr. Lamar is a member of the distinguished family bearing that name so prominent in the states of Georgia, Mississippi and Texas, and in the national congress and judiciary; and, in his own right, stands high in his profession. Dr. Lamar was married Aug. 13, 1856 to Miss Nancy, daughter of Silas Mercer, a niece of Rev. Jesse Mercer, the eminent and erudite Baptist divine, and founder of Mercer university. She died July 3, 1858, leaving one son-James N., who died when three years old. Mrs. Lamar was an exemplary member of the Baptist church. In 1860 Dr. Lamar married Miss Sarah A., daughter of Hon. John Lawhon, of Terrell county, who had several times represented the county in the general assembly. Seven children have blessed this union: John N., Terrell county; Henry F., died when sixteen years of age; Leonidas Perry; Theophilus Lawhon; Lucius, a graduate of Atlanta Medical college before he was twenty-one, and two years later, of Tulane Medical college, New Orleans, La.; Lavansia; and Lizzie who is highly accomplished. Dr. Lamar is a democrat, was a member of the I.O.O.F. until his lodge forfeited its charter, is a Master Mascon, has been a Worshipful Master, and is a member of the Grand Lodge. Himself and family are prominent and useful members of the Methodist church. This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/gafiles/ File size: 6.2 Kb