The Van Buren press., 1904-11-19
ID K. j. A. DIBR L l. l..
Death Followed Illness Of Few Days
With Pneumonia.

From the Arkansas Gazette of Nov
l2th we quote the following regarding
the life of DR.. Jas A. Dibrell, who was
held In high esteem by the older citizens
of Van Buren,, who knew him during
his boyhood days;
DR. james Anthony Dibrell one of the
foremost physicians of Arkansas, died
last night about i 0 clock at his home,
400 Spring street, in this city, after an
illness of only few days, DR.. Dibrell
was taken i'll last Saturday and after
improving during the first part Of the
present week was attacked by pneu
munH. lie grew steadily worse and
hope for his recovery had been aban-
doned yesterday morning.
When the end came all the members
of Dr.. Diurell family, with the excep-
ton OF one sister, Mrs f. X. DuNal Of
Fort smith who is i'll at her home, were
at his bedside. The other members of
the family are his two sons, DR. 3 John
R. and James l.. Dibrell of Little Rock
TWO brothers, DR. Il. r. Dlbrell of Little
Rock and DR.. NJ. 5 Dlbrell of Van Buren !;
three sisters, Mrs Geo. Sparks and Mrs.
Hynes of Fort Smith and Mrs, Shibley
of Van Buren.
DR. Jas A. Dibrell had been for years
one of the leading physicians of Arkan-
sas. He stood in the front rank In his
profession not only in this state, but in
the nation. He had held the highest posi-
ton that could be conferred upon him
by the members of his profession in Ar
kansas, and had been signally honored
by the highest medical association in the
United States. After years of dlstin-
guished service, he was still engaged
actively in the practice of his profession
when attacked by the illness which
ended his life.
DR.. Dibrell had been resident of
Little Rock for forty years and had been
engaged in the practice Of medicine here
during almost that entire time.
DR. Dibrell was a little more than SO
years of age He was born August 20,
! 1916, at Van Buren,, Ark He WAS a
member of medical family. His father,
DR.. Jas. A Dibrell, Sr was one Of the
leading physicians of the state until his
death in 1897. His two sons and two
| brothers are physicians and hold high
positions in the medical profession of
the state,
Dr. Dibrell WAS just prepared to enter
college when the civil war broke out and
all schools in this section of the country
were closed During the war his father
lost all his property and was unable TO
assist his son in securing an education,
| James Dibrell WAS not daunted by these
obstacles but went TO work 10 secure an
education and every dollar that was eX-
pended for that purpose was earned 10y
| himself. He found n friend in Hon JAS,
h Herry, who was then auditor of state,
and by working in the auditors Office
he secured money enough to crafty his
| desire for An education,
He began the study OF medicine with
| MS father in 1865, working during the
day and studying at niEht, In this way
he was able TO take one course Of medl-
cal lectures at the st Louis medical col
lege during the winter OF lSBi.Bo This
WAS followed by one course Of lectures
in the department of medicine at tue
University of Pennsylvania, from which
institution ne graduated March II 1870,
receiving the degree of NJ, d. After his
graduation he took third course Of
lectures at the same institution
DR. Dibrell returned to Little Rock and
began the practice Of medicine in 1870
He had remained in this city continuous
ly since that time and during almost
that entire time had been recognized as
one Of the leading physicians OF the city
aud state During that time he had been
prominently identified with the medical
organization Of the city state and nation,
Dr., Dibrell was elected vice president
of the Arkansas Medical Association in
1902 and served IN that capacity for u
year. lie was one of the founders OF the
medical department Of the University OF
Arkansas In 1878 and WAS one Of the two
deans which the institution has had
During the yellow fever epidemic of
1879 80, and In 1881, DR.. Dibrell was
secretary Of the state board of health,
and he spent large portion OF his time
In sanitary and quarantine work in con-
nection with the sanitary council of the
Mississippi valley, of which he WAS one
Of the vice presidents,
Dft DlDrtII WAS InHTTltu Nv lNllH-
delphia In 1870 to Miss Lallie ReardOn
Of Little Rock, and two children, John
Raleigh and James Lambert Dibrell
both Of whom are still living were born
TO them Mrs, Dibrell died In March,
1899. Those who have known DR. Dibrell
intimately say that one Of the most
beautiful things In his life WAS his devo-
ton TO his wife's mother Mrs, Priscilla
Reardon, who had made her home with
him since h,s marriage, and who still
survives him,
DR., Dibrell was widely known through.
ont the state outside Of his profession,
lie WAS prominently Identified with the
progress of the state In all lines, Altho
he never held any public office outside
of those connected with his profession,
he was regarded as one Of the foremost
citizens OF the state. lie was \ member
of no fraternal organization, but bad u
wide circle of personal friends IN Little
Rock and throughout the state,
From the Little Rock Democrat