The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1920-03-19

was born in Camden, S. c., IA years
ago and died at Martel, March 9th,
1920. His parents were prominent
IN the town of his birth and died when
he was a small boy, leaving him in
the care of an aunt, who tenderly
cared for him during his boyhood,
giving him the best school facilities
in that day.
On one of her visits with the doc
tor. and his family, while he lived IN
Cotton Plant, this aunt passed away
and all that is mortal lies in st.
Johns cemetery awaiting the resur-
rection morn.
When the Civil war broke out
though only boy the subject OF this
sketch enlisted and served in the
army until its close, and then entered
a medical school in Charleston from
which he graduated. Soon after ne
came TO Florida and commenced
the practice of his profession IN
Cotton Plant, 40 years ago. At that
day there were no railroads and no
towns in Marion county except Ocala
and his practice took in the territory
from Cotton Plant to the Withlacoo-
chez river; thence west over the
Dunnellon section to Inglis, border.
ing Gulf hammock back to Morriston,
Romeo and Blitchton, thus embracing
the entire country west of Ocala. OF
those who lived in this territory
AT that day can today be numbered
with the fingers of one hand.
The subject of this sketch and the
late DIR. Thomas P. Gary, of Ocala,
were great friends and went hand IN
hand in their profession. DR.. Veal had
often spoken to the writer OF DR.
Gary and the valuable aid he had re-
ceiyed from him There is perhaps no
physician in the state today better
posted in the diseases incident TO
Florida than was DR.. Veal.
The night was never too dark, the
day toe cold nor any one too poor or
degraded for him to be found ready
to go and relieve the suffering.
In 1884 DIR. Veal was married to
Hiss Nettie A. Smith, who with her
parents, one sister and brother came
from Connecticut and located in Cot
ton Plant To this union were born
three sons: Fred L., who holds gov.
eminent position in Washington;
Will E., merchant of Wildwood, and
G. r., a farmer of Cotton Plant and
member of the Board of Pubic In
structon OF this county, all of wholp
were present at the death of their
father. Besides these three sons and
their families, the widow and hosts
of friends still survive to mourn their
loss. Especially to the lonely and
heart broken widow would we extend
our heart felt synpathies and com
mend her to an allwise and just God
who has said my grace is sufficient
for thee
The writer having had the same ex
+ .encs six years ago is fully com
petent to realize her grief today. The
writer and the doctor had been neigh
bors of the Good Samaritan type
for 40 years and in all those years we
have strewn flowers in his pathwa,
AID with grief lay them on his grave
To-Day.
With the passing of the deceased
the last one Of the writer's neighbor.
lNof half century ago has passed away
and ne too is. biding the time wher
ne will be gathered with the host,
around the throne of God
Or. Veal had never been a membe
OF any church. but had great respec
for a consistent christian OF ever,
church; was always ready with a con
Fibution if it was to extend the chris
tian obligation. His belief and prac
tice was ito do unto others as W,
would have them do unto u.s.
The charity Of. Dr. Veal was IN
bounded both in money and medicine
and many who are not blessed wit
this worlds goods will sorely regre
his passing.
The funeral services were conduct
ed St. Johns church by Rev. Sar
Scott. Of Brooksville. former paste
OF this church. and man in whor
the doctor had great confidence, afte
which the Masons took charge an
conducted the funeral rites of the o.
der in a solemn and impressive MAJ
er.
st. Johns church was filled and owe
flowing with those who had com
from the surrounding country to pa
Il L.