Black Health and Wellness: Dr. Charlie O. Hunter, Dr. Benjamin F. Davis, and Dr. James Stewart Aegle

While compiling the information for this week’s post, continuing with the theme Black Health and Wellness, I noticed that most of the medical professionals practicing in Maury County were not native Tennesseans, but almost all received their training from the Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN. The Meharry Medical College was organized as the Medical Department of the Central Tennessee College in 1876, and was the first medical school in the Southern states to open its doors for the education of African American physicians. By 1912, of those who had graduated in medicine, 95 percent were practicing with an income ranging from $500 to $5,000 per year. 

"DrCharlesOHunter"

Dr. Charlie O. Hunter (1866-1937), a physician and surgeon, was born in Mississippi. Dr. Jones was an active member of the National Medical Association. In addition, he was a Grand Medical Register of the Odd Fellows and Court of Calanthe.

񓞘BFDavis"

Dr. Benjamin F. Davis (1883-1950), originally from Mississippi, graduated from Rust University in 1906 and Meharry Medical College in 1910. He completed post-graduate courses at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of the University of Illinois. He passed the Illinois and Tennessee State Board of Medical Examiners and practiced for a year in Illinois before relocating to Columbia, TN.

"Dr

Dr. James Stewart Aegle (1888-1957), born in Jamaica, British West Indies, was the first African American dentist in Mt. Pleasant. He graduated from Meharry Medical College in 1913. Aegle served in the U.S. Army during World War I. His medical practice was on Olive Street. His wife, Ruby, was a public school teacher.

Author: Jo Ann McClellan, Maury County Historian and African American Heritage Society President

Feb 25

[ARCHIVED] Black Health and Wellness: Dr. Jane E. M. P. Frances

The original item was published from February 25, 2022 8:45 AM to June 7, 2022 12:05 AM

"Jane

Continuing with the theme Black Health and Wellness, we cannot overlook the women who faced gender and racial challenges to become successful physicians, such as Dr. Jane Francis and her daughter, Dr. Irene Francis.

Dr. Jane E. M. P. Frances (1890-1960) was the first African American female physician in Maury County. She established a practice and lived on South Main Street in Mount Pleasant. In addition to her medical practice, she was involved in the mortuary business and owned the Gable Bass Building, a two-story building on Broadway

She was born in British Guiana and immigrated to this country in 1904 with her husband to study medicine. She studied nursing in Philadelphia and, while attending classes during the day, worked as a janitor cleaning classrooms at night. After graduation, she worked as a public health nurse in Atlantic City, New Jersey before entering Meharry Medical College in 1908—just a few months after the birth of her daughter, Irene, in Philadelphia. She earned her M.D. in 1912 and was one of the first to intern at Hubbard Hospital.

On a trip to visit her husband, Ernest, who lived and practiced in another state, Dr. Frances lost her eyesight in an accident, but she continued to practice medicine. Tragically, Dr. Frances lost her life in a fire in her home on South Main Street in Mt. Pleasant on February 28, 1960.

Daughter Irene Susanna Pierre Francis grew up in Mount Pleasant. She received her A.B. Degree from Fisk University in 1927 and went on to teach science and music in Kentucky for several years before returning to Nashville to earn her M.D. from Meharry in 1942. 

"Irene

Like her mother, Dr. Irene Francis interned at Hubbard Hospital and eventually opened two private practices—one in Kingsport, Tenn., the other in Nashville. She held the title of Metro-Nashville school doctor for many years, and became a member of the Board of Trustees at Fisk University.

Dr. Irene Francis died in Nashville Nov. 7, 2000 at 92. She is buried beside her mother at Hills of Calvary Cemetery in Nashville.

 Author: Jo Ann McClellan, Maury County Historian and African American Heritage Society, President

Tag(s): Black History Month