Georgia and Georgians - the Digital Library of Georgia

3124 GEORGIA AND GEORGIANSsoldier who fought at the Battle of King's Mountain. Thus on both sidesDoctor Stephens claims descent from a notable family of the South.Luther Parks Stephens was born in Hall County, Georgia, February 19,1862. In boyhood he attended the local schools and later the North GeorgiaAgricultural College at Dahlonega, which was then under the managementof a famous educator D. W. Lewis. From the instruction of Doctor Lewishe entered Emory College, where he came under the influence and educational care of the late Bishop Attieus G. Haygood. During all this time hewas cherishing a hope of a medical career, and after a period of preliminarystudy while teaching school, he entered the Atlanta Medical College, wherehe continued until graduation. After one year of practice in Walton County,Doctor Stephens located in Atlanta in 1887, and in subsequent years has builtup a large professional business and won public confidence. In the sense ofpursuing any branch of medical science as a specialty, at the expense of timeand consideration to all others, Doctor Stephens declines to be named as amodern physician. As a close student of scientific discovery along every lineand acceptance of the same when his own judgment and knowledge so urge,Doctor Stephens is progressive and his patients profit through his carefulconservatism.He is a member of the staff of Grady Hospital as visiting surgeon, and waspresident of the medical staff one year. Since 1888 he has been a .memberand is ex-president of the Atlanta Society of Medicine and of the FultonCounty Medical Society. He also belongs to the Medical Association ofGeorgia, the Southern and American Medical associations.Doctor Stephens has served the City of Atlanta as a member of thecouncil for two years and also as a member of the board of education. Beforehe began active practice as a physician, in 1885, the citizens of his homecounty, Hall, organized a school and insisted upon Doctor Stephens takingcharge of it, which he did for one year. This school has since been enlargedand is known as Murryville Academy, being one of the prominent preparatoryschools of North Georgia. Doctor Stephens has always taken much interestin the institution, and has assisted in many ways in its growth and prosperity.Doctor Stephens owns a large tract of land in North Georgia, and whenhis professional engagements permit he takes great pleasure in "getting backto the soil." He has long been prominent in Masonic circles in Atlanta. Heis affiliated with Atlanta Lodge, No. 59, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons,of which he is past master, is past high priest of Mount Zion Chapter No.16, Royal Arch Masons, is past eminent commander of Coeur de Leon CommanderyNo. 4, Knights Templar, and past grand commander of the KnightsTemplar of Georgia. In the Atlanta Consistory he has attained the thirtyseconddegree Scottish Rite. His political affiliations have always been withthe democratic party. He is a steward in the Methodist Church, and is otherwise useful in this religious body. Doctor Stephens has witnessed many wonderful changes since he came to make his home in Atlanta, and has watchedwith pride and assisted in every movement for the development of the metropolis of the southeastern states. He is an active member of the UniversityClub.On October 25, 1892, Doctor Stephens married Mary Bell, daughter ofMaj. Madison Bell, a prominent citizen of Atlanta, whose career is sketchedon other pages. Dr. and Mrs. Stephens have four children: Luther, HarwellMadison, Evelyn and Douglas Stephens.T. H. GREGORY. Born in Lawrence County, Georgia, April 30, 1866, leftmotherless a month later, and reared by his grandparents until he was able totake care of himself, T. H. Gregory for a man who was dependent upon hisown exertions and his ambition for his progress in the world, has accomplisheda real success and for years has been one of the leading men of Dooly County,