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| Dr. Thomas Jefferson Bouldin |
So this week's adventure involves Dr. Bouldin - a name I remember my Grandma Nielsen mentioning in the past. This week in talking with the President of the Historical Society (Nestor Montoya) he informed me that someone had come in during the week and donated Doctor Bouldin's old medical books, and one of his ledgers. Mr. Montoya knew I would be excited about it and I WAS!!! And of course I immediately wanted to know MORE about this man! I was so excited that the museum had his photo - because the more I learned about him, the more I wanted to know what he looked like!
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| He made $100 a month for his County Position-1917 |
I knew that he was a local doctor from hearing his name mentioned by the older generation - but what I DIDN'T know was that for years he was the Apache County Superintendent of Health! He traveled all over Apache County attending to sick and injured residents in the early 1900s! He also was in the U.S. Medical Corps during World War I !
He was born in 1879 in Alabama (
on FindAGrave it says he was born in Warren County Tennessee - but everywhere else I have found it lists Alabama as his birthplace.)
As I searched the Census records and historical St. Johns newspapers - I found that he was in the St. Johns area for years (He is listed on the 1910, 1920, and 1930 Census in St. Johns). As far as I can find he had at least 4 children, 3 sons and a daughter. I do know that by 1930 he was divorced (listed on the 1930 Apache County Census for St. Johns that way) but had his 3 sons who were by then in there 20s living with him. He died in 1939 and is buried in the St. Johns Westside Cemetery.
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| Apache County Herald 26 June 1919 |
I found a newspaper article of him treating a Typhoid outbreak - most of the victims were workers on the Lyman Dam. Another worker at the dam, Frederico Gonzales, got his hand smashed and Dr. Bouldin had to amputate two of his fingers.
I will continue to look for more information on him, as my curiosity is definitely aroused!!
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| Some of Doc Bouldin's books that were donated |
Above are some of the books that were donated to the Museum/Historical Society; and below is his ledger, and one of the 'index' pages from the ledger.
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| Dr. Bouldin's Office Ledger-1929 |
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| One of the 'index' pages from ledger-1929 |
I just had to include this little blurb that I found in one of the historic newspaper on the
Arizona Digital Newspaper Program website - The Apache County Herald 10 May 1919:
Wow how times have changed!
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| Photo of Dr. Bouldin's Grave (from FindAGrave.com) |
I just had to include this little blurb that I found in one of the historic newspaper on the Arizona Digital Newspaper Program website - The Apache County Herald 10 May 1919:
In Dr. Bouldin's article "Health Conditions" he mentions the link of Typhoid to the Lyman Dam. My Great Grandfather Andres Saavedra died of Typhoid Oct 13 1918 in St. Johns and he also worked on the Lyman Dam. Andres was a son of Jose M Saavedra who is believed to have been the first resident of the St. John's area when he came to the area to build a bridge across the Little Colorado River for Antonio Baca. Also in your post re: Genaro Acosta-Contractor, Andres Saavedra was a Brother in Law to Genaro and Lazaro Acosta was Andres' Father in Law. Laurie - My contact is crespinpilar@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThank you for the information & your contact info! I am of course familiar with the Saavedra name - especially Jose. Such a wonderful, rich history this area has & I love learning more about it & getting in contact with descendants of these amazing people! We all sure had some tough, hard-working, amazing ancestors! Dolly
ReplyDeleteLove this article! I've been researching Doc Bouldin this year too. That newspaper clipping about the manure makes me happy.
ReplyDeleteAccording to his obituary, in 1931 and 1932 he was state senator from Apache County.
ReplyDelete"AJ" - I have a bunch of newspaper clippings if you are interested. Wow - you have his Obit!? I haven't found that! And haven't seen anything about him being a Senator. Great information. THANKS!
ReplyDeleteI just read his name as Dr. Thomas Jefferson Bouldin. The obit in Scottsboro Ala THE PROGRESSIVE AGE, SEPTEMBER 28, 1939DEATH OF DR. T. J. BOULDIN IN ST. JOHNS, ARIZONA (St. Johns, Arizona Newspaper) Dr. T. J. Bouldjn, prominent Apache county citizen and practicing physician and surgeon of St. Johns for over! thirty years, passed away at his home here last Saturday afternoon. Dr. Bouldin had been in failing health for the past several months and Friday night he suffered heart attacks which took him in death quietly Saturday morning. Dr. Bouldins passing brought a pall of gloom over the entire country and among his many friends throughout the State of Arizona; He was well known and respected by men of his profession and Legislators win became intimate friends while he served Apache county as its State Senator. Monday morning flags were raised and the closing of all business for the day bespoke the esteem the community held for Dr. Bouldin. The day was set aside in honor of OUR DOCTOR. Funeral services were held in the L. D. S. Ward chapel Monday afternoon under the direction of Alberti F. Anderson. Large crowds from every section of the county and many friends from Holbrook and surrounding towns were in attendance to pay their last respects. Beautiful flowers filled Doctors office' to overflowing. Beautiful selections by the choir an the address of Judge Levi S. Udall made a halo of' sadness hang over the large congregation with memories of the many little acts of friendliness kindness and patriotism of Dr. Bouldin. The procession of the mourners to and from the Chapel was under the direction of the American Legion, Gree DeWitt Post ceremony, of which Dr. Bouldin was an active member. Services at the cemetery were performed by the Masonic Lodge of Holbrook, of which Dr. was a member. Doctor was born on August 12, 1878, in Paint Rock, Alabama, which made him 61 years of age at the time of his death. He came of a large and illustrious family. In addition to three; sisters and one brother who are deceased, the following brothers and sisters survive him: B. Prank Bouldin, an attorney, living in Ft. Worth, Texas; Hon Virgil Bouldin, a member of the Supreme Court of the State of Alabama, who lives at Montgomery; G. P. Bouldin, a retired lumberman and father of Mrs. LaVaun Cox, who was here foi the funeral services, of Scottsboro, Alabama; T. B. Bouldin, who is with the International Hardest?: Company, stationed at Buenos Aires; Rev. George Bouldin, who spent his life as a minister in the tar East, being stationed at Yokohama Japan, and Mrs. Betty Pilant, of Wellington, Kansas, and Mrs. Jack Berry, of Buf- A&iG, iuidouurL As a young man Dr. Bouldin married Ora Rorex, who now lives at Knoxville, Tennessee, and :is an issue of this marriage four children survive. They are Wyatt, a son, now in Scottsboro, Alabama; Herman, a son, of Phoenix, connected with the Arizona Highway Department; Mrs. Grant Morris (Helen) and James, a son. both of whom live in San Francisco. Herman, James and Mr. and Mrs. Morris were here for the funeral services. Dr. Bouldin came to St. John's, arriving here September 9, 1919, for the purpose of practising his profession. He was first associated with the late Dr. Roberts, and has continually practised his profession here with us since that time except for the period that he was away in the military service of his country. Not only wgs Dr. Bouldin kud and respected by his many friends here, but it was said of him while he sawed in the Legislature in 1931: "Apache county doesn't need a chamber of commerce if that section of Arizona has many residents who worthy ideals, kindest deeds and most worthwhile efforts; Long will the memory of his good linger amongst us. Of the Oath of Hippocrates Greek Philosopher and the Father of Medicine, we say: Dr. Bouldin vou have kept the faith.
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