My Genealogy Hound

Dr. Messer Highfill, physician and surgeon at Marshfield, is a native of Webster County, Mo., born in Jackson Township, Webster Co., Mo., May 6, 1858, and is the eldest in a family of seven children, six now living. His father, J. E. Highfill, was born in West Tennessee August 15, 1836, and is now residing in Jackson Township, this county, having immigrated to this county from his native State when about fourteen years of age. The mother of Dr. Highfill, Nellie (Norton) Highfill, was also born in West Tennessee, March 16, 1835, and died in Webster County, Mo., August 30, 1887. Dr. Highfill was reared on the farm, and first, after finishing at the common schools, completed his education by attending one term at the Waldo Graded School, and also one term at the Ebeneazer Graded School, in Greene County. He first began teaching school in 1877, and continued teaching more or less until 1885. He began the study of medicine in 1877, in the office of Dr. N. H. Hampton, now a resident of Springfield, Mo. Mr. Highfill attended lectures at the Missouri Medical College at St. Louis, and graduated from that institution March 4, 1887. March 29, of the same year, he located in Marshfield, commencing the practice of his profession, and here still continues. He has a good practice, and is a successful physician. In 1885 he was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Hoover, a native of Webster County, born January 10, 1865, and the daughter of George and Sarah Hoover. One child, Willie E., born July 16, 1888, is the result of this union. Dr. Highfill is a Democrat in his political views, and cast his first presidential vote for Gen. Hancock. Mrs. Highfill is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.