My Genealogy Hound

Dr. E. J. Christian, physician, Portland, Ark. J. D. Christian, the father of the subject of this notice, born in Alabama, was one of the early settlers of Ashley County, Ark., and was one of the founders of Marie Saline Landing, on Ouachita River. He was married in Union County of that State to Miss Mary K. Lanson, who bore him six children, two now living: Dr. E. J., and Carrie, wife of J. M. Austin, now a resident of Ashley County. The father was a member of the Masonic fraternity and also the Odd Fellows. During the late war he raised a company, the first taken from the county, and was embodied in the Third Arkansas, that joined the Army of Northern Virginia, remaining in the Confederate service until in May, 1864, when he was discharged on account of ill health. He died of pneumonia in 1865. The mother died in 1875, of cerebro spinal meningitis. Dr. Christian was born in Ashley County, Ark., May 25, 1854, received a good practical education in the common schools of Ashley County, and in 1875 began the study of medicine under Dr. W. J. Locke, now of Petersburg, Ashley County. Ark. In 1876 and 1877 he followed farming and during 1878 and 1879 he read medicine. During the fall and winter of the last-named year he took his first course at Mobile, Ala. In May, 1880, he commenced practicing in Union Township, Ashley County, and soon built up an excellent reputation as a physician. In May, 1881, he came to Portland, was here during 1882, and in 1883 took his second course of lectures at Mobile, graduating in the spring of 1884. He was one of twelve, out of thirty-five applicants that graduated. He then returned to Portland, has practiced here ever since, and is one of the popular and successful physicians of the county. In April and May he took a six weeks’ post graduate course at New Orleans. The Doctor is a member of the K. of P. In politics he always votes with the Democratic party. Under same conditions the Doctor is decidedly of the opinion that the general health is as good on the bayou as in the hills. The disease is mostly of a malarial nature and yields to a thorough course of eliminating tonic and specific treatment.