Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Robert Wilkins Holton, M.D. (1878-1961)

Dr. Robert Wilkins Holton of Terrell, Texas, passed away October 22, 1961.  He was born on April 4, 1878 at Headsville Village (Robertson County).  He was the son of John D. Holton and Eliza Ann Breed Holton.  He was the 10th in a family of 11 children.  Both his parents were schoolteachers, and his father was a Civil War veteran as well as a Baptist minister. 

He received his early education in public and private schools, and taught school for one year before entering the University of Louisville.  He was graduated from the Hospital College of Medicine in Louisville, Kentucky in 1906.  He practiced medicine between school terms, and practiced in Kaufman County for more than fifty years, losing less than 30 days from his practice as a result of personal illness throughout his career. 

Dr. Holton was a pioneer in the construction and administration of hospitals in the county.  He served as a flight surgeon with the Royal Air Force training unit located at Terrell during World War II, as medical administrator of the local Selective Service System, and on the Advisory Committee to Selective Service.

Dr. Holton once estimated that he delivered more than 6,000 babies, mostly in Kaufman County.  He was active in civic affairs, having been a member of the Lions Club, active master Mason, member of the Shrine, member of the school board and a member of the Chamber of Commerce.  He was named General Practitioner of the Year in 1955.

Survivors include his sons Charley Holton and Robert W. Holton, Jr., both of Terrell, and a daughter, Mrs. Marguerite Johnston also of Terrell.  Four grandchildren also survive.

= = = Transcriber is not a relative and has no further information regarding this family.

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