Page:History of Southeast Missouri 1912 Volume 1.djvu/648

 578 HISTORY OF SOUTHEAST MISSOURI tin has mined in British Columbia and many other districts. They have one son, Edgar Anthony Martin, born September 14, 1911. Charles Pope Poston, il. D. Other men's services to the people and state can be meas- iired by definite deeds, by dangers averted, by legislation secured, by institutions built, by commerce promoted. The work of a doc- tor is entirely estranged from these lines of enterprise and yet without his capable, health- giving assistance all other accomplishments would count for naught. Man's greatest prize on earth is physical health and vigor. Nothing deteriorates mental activity as quickly as prolonged sickness — hence the broad field for human helpfulness afforded in the medical profession. The successful doctor requires something more than mere technical training — he must be a man of broad human sympathy and genial kindli- ness, capable of inspiring hope and faith in the heart of his patient. Such a man is Dr. Charles Pope Poston, who for the last quar- ter of a century has enjoyed distinction and success as a skillful physician and surgeon of Bonne Terre and vicinity. The years have told the story of a useful career due to the possession of innate talent and ac- quired ability along the line of one of the most important professions to which a man may devote his energies, — the alleviation of pain and suffering and the restoration to health. The Poston family is one noted for its gifted physicians, the father of the sub- ject, Dr. Henry W. Poston, of Irondale, hav- ing been a well-known pioneer doctor, and one of his sons. Dr. Harry Poston, well maintaining the honored prestige of the name. As a citizen he is interested in the success of good government and aids in the promotion of business and social harmony by a straightforward course as a citizen. Dr. Poston is a native of the state, his birth having occurred at Irondale, Washing- ton county, on the 28th of September, 1854. He is a son of Dr. Henry W. and Casandria (Ashburn) Poston, natives of Missouri and Kentuck>% respectively. Dr. Henry W. Pos- ton practiced at Irondale for about thirty- five years and was a credit to his profes- sion. He died when sixty-four years of age, and he was also a farmer, active Democrat and Presbyterian. Dr. Henry Poiston was a native of St. Francois county, Missouri, and his father, Henry, was a native of North Carolina and came to Missouri, St. Francois county, in 1806. He was a civil engineer and farmer, and owned quite a large tract of land, operating same with slaves. When it came to choosing a life work young Charles Pope Poston decided, ith little difficulty, to follow in the paternal footsteps. He had received his preliminary education at Iron- dale and Westminster College at Fulton, Mis- souri, and took his medical course at AVash- ington University in St. Louis. Since his graduation he has practiced at Bonne Terre, and there and in the surrounding country he enjoys the highest general confidence. It is of such men as he that Alexander Pope penned his famous couplet, "A wise jjhysi- cian, skill'd our wounds to heal, is more than armies to the public weal." Dr. Pos- ton specializes in gynecology and internal medicine and has been chief surgeon for the St. Joseph Lead Company, and for the Mis- sissippi River & Bonne Terre Railwa.y Com- pany for thirty-five years, when he resigned, and his son Harry P. was appointed to that position. Dr. Poston married on the 26th day of September 1883, the young woman to become his wife and congenial life companion be- ing Miss Mahala Cunningham, of Farming- ton. Their union has been blessed by the birth of nine children, seven of whom are living at the present time. The.v are as fol- lows: Hany P., M. D., of whom mention is found on other pages of this woi-k), Marie Louise, Charles H., Florence N., Virgil, Frank D. and Stanly. The older children are all college graduates. Dr. Poston subscribes to the articles of faith of the Democratic party, with which he has been affiliated since his earliest vot- ing days. He is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity and emulates in his own living those fine ideals of moral and social justice and brotherly love for which the order stands. Andrew T. Schultze. In these days of intensified farming agricultural reports tell us that a comfortable living may be made from ten acres of good land, planted to ad- vantage. Whether our average farmer would agree to this we know not, but all will agree tliat a comfortable living, with some for lux- uries, can be obtained from several hundred acres of rich southeastern IMissouri land, than which there is no better in the Ihiion. The