My Genealogy Hound

C. E. Nash, M. D. In recording the names of the faithful practitioners of medicine in this locality, that of C. E. Nash will always be given a prominent and enviable position. There are two ways to gain a reputation, one by the influence of friends, and the other by individual application and true worth. The latter applies to Dr. Nash, who has certainly reached the top round of the ladder in that most noble of all professions. He is a native of Missouri, and was born in St. Louis in 1826. His father, John T. Nash, was born, reared and educated in Virginia, and graduated with honorable distinction from a medical college of that State. He was exceptionally well read and delivered many lectures that received favorable comment in the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, Penn. In 1812 he moved to the State of Missouri, and although wealthy, he became an active medical practitioner simply for the love of the science. He owned a valuable plantation near old Jamestown, and also possessed considerable land on which the site of St. Louis is now situated. Reverses overtook him while in the zenith of prosperity, and he was compelled to resign all his property, his lands being sold at 10 cents per acre. He sold his wedding suit, and even lacked $15 of paying his debts; his death occurring while in the prime of life, and when about forty-five years of age, one hundred miles from home and during a visit to a patient. His demise was deeply lamented by his many warm friends. His wife, Anna (Bland) Nash, was born in Prince Edward County, Va., of Scotch origin, her father having emigrated to America at an early day. She was a cousin of Robert Lee’s mother, also being closely related to John B. Randolph, and a number of the old families of the Old Dominion. Hon. Richard Bland, of Missouri, is a very near relative of Dr. Nash, the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Nash was left destitute with four children to care for, and nobly did she perform the duties imposed upon her. Dr. C. E. Nash was her third son, and at his home in Alabama she died, in 1863, at the age of seventy-two years, the Doctor at that time having charge of a hospital in that State. C. E. Nash’s early youth was spent with his brother-in-law, Robert A. Watkins, with whom he made his home after attaining his eighth year. His early educational advantages were excellent, as Mr. Watkins was the first secretary of the State of Arkansas, holding the position four years, and thus favored the Doctor with an excellent knowledge of business affairs in his office. The records of that time are in his handwriting, and his instructions were received from Mr. Watkins and Gov. Conway. Having had a desire to study medicine, he entered the drug store of Dr. R. L. Dodge with the intention of making that science a study, and after becoming thoroughly prepared became a student at the University of St. Louis, from which institution he was graduated in 1849 as a regularly qualified physician. The remainder of the year, and until 1858 he practiced in Helena, Ark., and at the same time attended to his plantation in Mississippi, just across the river. Upon this he moved in the last-named year, keeping up his practice on the west side of the river in the meantime. During the war he had charge of the Confederate Marine Hospital, located at Salem, Ala., but after the cessation of hostilities and upon returning home he found all the buildings and fences on his plantation a complete wreck. He borrowed money, paid off debts that he had contracted before the war, and continued to manage this farm until 1882, when he sustained heavy losses from overflow. In 1884 he returned to Helena, and in 1886 settled in Little Rock, where he is now following his profession. Dr. Nash’s residence is situated on Scott Street, and besides this he owns considerable property in Helena. He was first married to Miss Mary Frances Epps, who was born in North Carolina, and died in 1880 at the age of fifty-one years, having borne eight children: John T., Alexander E. and Charles E., all deceased, the first two dying at home and the latter in Memphis, Tenn., of yellow fever. The daughters are Mary E. (wife of William B. Lindsey), Anna, Virginia, Shirley (deceased) and Sarah E. His second wife was Miss Fannie Mosley, who was born in Georgia. She is the daughter of Capt. Mosley, who was a well-known and prominent citizen of Jackson, Miss. Mrs. Nash and her sister Mary organized and successfully conducted a female college at Jackson, Miss., for a number of years. They are ladies of culture and refinement, and were very popular as teachers as well as favorites in society, as they now are. Dr. Nash, on his paternal side, is a relative of Francis Nash, of Revolutionary fame, and related to Francis Nash, a soldier in the War of 1812, and also to Judge Nash, of North Carolina. The Doctor is, as he well deserves to be, a popular gentleman and physician, and those who are fortunate enough to secure his services when necessary realize that his coming means the alleviation of their suffering. In social circles he is equally popular, always being surrounded by an attentive and appreciative company, who thoroughly enjoy his sparkling wit, interesting episodes and brilliant repartee.