Biographical Sketches
BRUMMELL JONES
Physician and surgeon, is one of the distinguished practitioners of the medical profession in Kansas City. He is a gentleman so well known in professional social and literary circles that a brief review of his life will be of exceptional interest. Of marked personality in his youth, he early evinced talents of an uncommon order, and although his early educational advantages were somewhat interfered with by the influence of the late war upon his early life, it in no wise materially checked his rise and progress in the world. He was an indomitable spirit in youth, obstacles he overcame, persistency and courage were strong characteristics in his nature and he always arose equal to the occasion.
The qualities here indicated were undoubtedly inherited by him from his sturdy English and Welsh ancestors. He is a native of North Carolina, born in Davidson county, May 23, 1845, and is a son of Thomas and Lucy (Brummell) Jones, natives of the same state. It is a matter of record that the Brummell family are of English descent, and settled in Virginia about 1750; the Jones family came from Wales in the 17th centure and located in North Carolina. Members of both these families bore a prominent part in the war of the Revolution and the later contests of our country with foreign powers. Charles Lannier, a grand uncle, was a gallant soldier in the war of 1812; Randall Brummell, an uncle, participated in the Mexican war, and died of cholera at Camargo, Mexico, in 1847. Charles Brummell, a lawyer of fine attainments, and the friend of education, was a pioneer in the establishment of the public-school system in North Carolina. The father of our subject was a prominent Methodist minister, notable for zeal and courage in his calling. His whole work was done in his native state; he died in 1856. He wife, a lady possessing many of the graces of ideal womanhood, and a devout Christian, is also dead.
They were parents of 4 children, 2 living: Mrs. W. H. Picher, of Joplin, Missouri; and Brummell, the subject of this memoir. He was educated at Trinity College, where he was in 1861, when the war broke out between the states. Although only 16 years old he enlisted in Company L, 22nd North Carolina infantry, the gallant Colonel J. Johnston Pettigrew commanding. This regiment belonged to General A. P. Hill's division of �Stonewall� Jackson's corps. With his command he participated in many of the most sanguinary battles of the war, second Manassas. Seven Pines, Yorktown, Fredericksburg, Hatcher's Run, and the incessant long-drawn-out struggle of the Wilderness, where he was wounded by a gunshot, having his left hop broken and being shot through the abdomen. He was sent to Charlotteville and subsequently to Lynchburg for treatment, remaining in both places about 6 weeks. The wounds were severe and he was furloughed home, remaining 6 months.
When convalescence was established and he regained his strength, he rejoined his command. On the memorable 2nd day of April, 1865, when Richmond and Petersburg fell, he belonged to the rear guard that covered Lee's retreat. After some narrow escapes he reached Greensboro, North Carolina, and reported for duty. Upon one occasion he stood in the waters of the Appomattox up to his chin, for 10 hours, to escape capture at the hands of a colored cavalry patrol! The Doctor admits the water was a little chilly, it begin in April, but thinks he could have endured it a week rather than capture.
After the close of hostilities he returned to Lexington, North Carolina, where he took up the study of medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. Robert L. Payne. In 1866 he entered Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia. Two years later, in 1868, he graduated, and came immediately to Missouri, first locating in Pettis county, and later in Sedalia, where he successfully practiced 15 years. While here he was health officer of Sedalia and coroner of Pettis county. He was the nominee of his party for re-election to these positions when he took his departure from Sedalia in 1882, to come to Kansas City, where he was built up an extensive and lucrative practice, making a specialty of diseases of the brain and nervous system. For 6 years he was connected with University Medical College of Kansas City, filling the chair of materiamedica and therapeutics and later that of physical diagnosis and clinical medicine.
In 1895 he was elected to the chair of diseases of the brain and nervous system in the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Kansas City. He is chairman of the committee on practice of medicine of the Missouri Medical Association and chairman of the committee on feeble-minded children, Missouri State Teachers' Association, of which latter he is an honorary member. Dr. Jones has long been interested in securing a home for the care and training of feeble-minded children. He lately appeared before the state legislature, which he addressed on this important subject, and awakened so much interest that it is confidently expected that a bill will be passed in the next session authorizing the founding of such a home and school.
Dr. Jones has acknowledged literary ability, and is widely and favorably known as literary circles, devoting the most of this spare moments to Shakespeare and Goethe. During the existence of the Scribblers' Club, he was its president, and he is now president of the Shakespeare Club, one of the most popular in the city, its membership extending to several states and comprising some of the ablest men in the country. He is a forceful, pleasing speaker. He is also a writer of notable ability, having contributed largely to leading magazines and newspapers. Of al the prominent medical societies he is an honored and valued member, and is the medical examiner at the gymnasium of the Young Men's Christian Association. In 1882 he married Miss Miriam Vickars, of Lafayette county, Missouri, a woman of rare attainments. The Doctor has two promising boys, Paul and Frank.
This page was last updated August 2, 2006.