My Genealogy Hound

Dr. D. C. Joyner. The people of Mississippi, as well as surrounding counties, are familiar with the name that heads this sketch, and for many years Dr. Joyner has been successfully occupied in the prosecution of his chosen profession. During that time his career as a practitioner and thorough student of medicine has won for him no less a reputation than have his personal characteristics as a citizen and neighbor. He was born in Stewart County, Tenn. (Dover), in 1838, and was reared in Smithland, Livingston County, Ky. He was educated at Bethlehem, and in the Presbyterian Academy, located at Salem, Crittenden County. In 1857 he commenced the study of medicine in the office of Prof. F. L. Sim, of Golconda, Ill., where he studied for two years, and then entered the Louisville University, from which institution he graduated in 1861. Later he came to Mississippi County, commenced practicing on Frenchman’s Bayou, when there were but few planters, and soon built up a very lucrative practice. Not satisfied merely with his profession, the Doctor has engaged in other pursuits, and having built a large store room, sold goods for about fifteen years. He sold out his stock of goods in 1888 to W. H. Pullen & Co., to whom he rents the building, and the Doctor now has a complete stock of drugs in a building which he has erected just across the way, and where he now keeps a full line of all the requisites necessary for a first-class store. He has also been interested in planting cotton, having owned a plantation of 240 acres, of which he put a considerable share under cultivation, but this he has recently sold. The Doctor agrees with other prominent medical men, that Arkansas is as healthy as any other Southern State, and the people are as exempt from disease, if they use the same care, as in other States. Especially does this apply to those who keep all mud holes and stagnant pools filled up or drained off. Dr. Joyner was a Whig in his political preference before the war, and says he is the same now, but since coming south he has allied himself with the Democratic party. During the war he enlisted in the Twenty-third Arkansas, and served most of the time in the State, acting at one time as courier to some of Price’s commanders. His marriage with Miss Medora Ward, daughter of Capt. L. Ward, occurred in Memphis, and soon afterward they moved to Frenchman’s Bayou, where they have lived ever since, with the exception of about six months, when they resided in Arkansas County, near Dewitt. This union has been blessed by six children: Leon, at home and a cripple from birth; DeWitt C, at home; Effie L., Clide V., Constance (Birdie), and Ruth Kerr, an infant. The Doctor is a member of the K. of P., of Progress Lodge, Memphis, Tenn., and is also a member of McGavock Lodge No. 2754, K. of H. Mrs. Joyner is a member of the Methodist Church.