Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1925-11-13
Late~Dr. William T. Brown.

The following paper was read by DR..
Eugene Jones at recent meeting Of the
Montgomery County Medical Society:
A proper appreciation Of the character
of DR.. William Taliaferro Brown is not easy,
but if close companionship and uninter-
rupted friendship of thirty years entities
one to form an estimate. this fact must
stand sponsor. Modest and retiring by
nature, he sought no friendship. but his
seniality and amiability won for him
host of friends. who felt instinctively they
could rely upon his sincerity and feel safe
in his companionship. His was the friend
ship that doubles our joys and halves our
Sorrows"
DR.. Brown was born in Westmoreland
county, Va, on October 8, 1854. and was
consequently in his sixtieth year. His
father. DR.. Benjamin F. Brown, practiced
medicine in that county for forty years
and was held in great esteem, not only by
his patients, but every one in that section
of Westmoreland. so much so. that after
his death they erected monument to his
memory in the church yard at old Yeo-
comico Church. near the Hague, in said
county.
DR.. Brown received his medical educa-
ton at the University of Virginia and the
College of Physicians and Surgeons in
Baltimore. graduating from the last named
school in 1892. In June Of that year he
located at Burnt Mills. where he built up
a large practice.
From cultured mother he inherited
love for good literature and thereby be-
came a well-read man. OF aristocratic
and distinguished ancestry, of courteous
manners and Of most excellent ability, he
was the embodiment of Southern gen.
tleman, a type that, alas. is but seldom
seen in these days of rush and hustle and
aggressive competition. DR.. Brown was
not unlike the physician Will Carlton had
in mind when he wrote these words:
in the night time or the day time he would
rally brave and well.
Though the summer lark was fling or the
HOZen idnCeS leHs
Knowing if he won the battle they would
praise the Makers name,
Knowing if he lost the battle then the
doctor was to blame.
Twas the brave old virtuous doctor,
Twas the good old family doctor.
Twas the faithful old country DOCTOR
Fighting stoutly all the time"
The late Vicc-President Thomas r. Mar
shall paid the following worthwhile tribute
to his father. who was a country doctor,
and feel sure the same can be said of
DR.. Brown:
II think, If service is to be the true mark
of greatness in a people, all the other
wonders of a wonderous age and State
must pale into insignifcance beside the
service and sacrifice of the country doctor
Who now remembers the conditions under
which he sought to minister to minds and
bodies diseasedY Who. now, by any stretch
of the imagination. can bring to view the
awful roads, the inhospitable houses that
were called homes. the lack of furnaces.
bathrooms, hot water, electricity, GAS. mud
everywhere. cracks in the houses; children
waking in the morning with their blankets
covered with snow: huge freplaces where
you roasted on one side and frOze on the
other? And add to it all malaral eli
mate. Chills and fever-fever and chills.
Day in and day out. night in and night out,
storm and sunshine, the country doctor
went his rounds"
DIR. Brown was held in high esteem by
his colleagues in this society. Of which he
was president at the time of his death
his counsel and influence will be missed.
He always stood for that which was clean
honest and just. both in the profession and
among lay people, and. if he erred in judg-
ment it was usually on the side of mercy
He. no doubt. realized the meaning of the
beatitude. BLESSED are the merciful for
they shall obtain mercy"
Cut down while in middle life, with his
intellectual and professional faculties I'M
impaired. shedding sunshine along his path,
After life's fitfuI fever. he sleeps well.
EUGENE JONES.