My Genealogy Hound

Dr. James W. Burney, physician, surgeon and druggist, Des Arc, Ark. In a comprehensive work of this kind, dealing with industrial pursuits, sciences, arts and professions, it is only fit and right that that profession on which, in some period or other of our lives—the medical profession—all are more or less dependent, should be prominently noticed. It is the prerogative of the physician to relieve or alleviate the ailments to which suffering humanity is prone, and as such he deserves the most grateful consideration of all. A prominent physician and surgeon, who, by his own great abilities, has attained distinction in his profession, is Dr. James W. Burney. This gentleman owes his nativity to Williamson County, Tenn., where his birth occurred on November 1, 1830, but he was reared principally in Maury County, of that State. He came west, to Mississippi, in 1850, located at Mount Pleasant, and in 1855 commenced the study of medicine, under the instruction of Dr. J. D. Sale, one of the most prominent physicians of Northern Mississippi. In the winter of 1856-57 he took his first course of lectures at the Memphis Medical College, and in March, of the last-named year, located at Des Arc, where he associated himself with Dr. J. C. Goodwin, with whom he commenced the practice of medicine. The following year, in July, he volunteered his services in the terrible epidemic of yellow fever, then scourging Vicksburg, Miss., rendering valuable assistance in fighting the same. In 1859 the Doctor returned to Des Arc, resumed his practice, and on September 13, of the same year, was united in marriage to Miss Lucy C. Adams, a native of Tennessee, who was reared and educated in Memphis, and the daughter of H. S. Adams, a planter in Mississippi, a soldier in the War of 1812, and a participant in the battle of New Orleans. In 1861 the Doctor enlisted in the Confederate army as lieutenant in Col. Patterson’s regiment, and the following year was promoted to the captaincy of Company K, Col. Matlock’s regiment, by Gen. Hindman. He remained in active service up to 1864, when he resigned his commission and returned to Des Arc. He participated in the battle of Prairie Grove, and was in many severe skirmishes. After returning to Des Arc he engaged actively in the practice of his profession, in which he continued up to the present time. He went to Philadelphia and completed his course, graduating from the Medical Department of that renowned university in the class of February, 1870. Before and since his graduation he has enjoyed an extensive practice, proving conclusively that he is one of the most successful and skillful physicians in the State. He engaged in the drug business in 1881, and still continues that industry. Dr. Burney lost his first wife on August 6, 1878, and on December 7, 1880, he selected for his second wife Mrs. Hattie (Johnson) Richardson, a native of Alabama, but who was reared in Arkansas, and the daughter of Hanp Johnson. The fruits of this union have been two children: Alfred and Robert, aged, respectively, eight and six years. The Doctor was first vice-president of the first medical society formed in Prairie County, and is president of the board of examiners of this county, discharging the duties of this, as in all other important positions to which he has been called, with honor, fidelity, ability, and to the satisfaction of all concerned. He is a Master Mason, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. For the past ten years the Doctor’s name has been prominently mentioned by his friends in connection with a seat in our State legislature, but owing to private business and his extreme modesty, he has never given his consent to become a candidate for the position, although a prominent leader in the Democratic party. Chairman of the County Democratic Executive Committee during the dark days of reconstruction, he was ever at the helm, and landed the old scar-worn party safely and successfully to victory over all opposition. The Doctor’s father, John Burney, was a native of North Carolina, and was reared in Guilford County, where he married Miss Matilda Young, a native also of North Carolina, and who was reared in the same county. The father moved to Tennessee about 1820, and was there engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was also a mechanic, and died in Henry County. His wife survived him a few years. Their family consisted of nine children, six sons and three daughters, three sons and three daughters now living, the three elder sons being deceased: J. T., R. W. and J. M. Burney. Those living are Mrs. E. P. Warren (of Mississippi), Mary B. Burney (on the old home place in Maury County), Mrs. Sallie Glenn (of Tennessee), Thomas P. Burney (of Maury County, Tenn.), Prof. A. M. Burney (president of the Howard Female College, at Gallatin, Tenn.) and Dr. James W. Burney (the oldest of the three brothers, living at Des Arc, Ark., actively engaged in the practice of medicine and the drug business). He has practiced medicine a greater number of years than any other man ever did in Prairie County. He never smoked a cigar, never took a chew of tobacco, never shaved his face nor never drank whisky. At this date (January 1, 1890) his weight is even 200 pounds, and he is six feet in height, stout and active, as all may be who will lead a temperate life.