1914 Biography - Charles McVea

McVea, Charles, M. D., prominent physician and surgeon, and former state senator, residing at Baton Rouge, was born at Clinton, East Feliciana parish, La., Feb. 2, 1869. His parents were Charles and Robert Lucy (Hilliard) McVea. His father was born at Bayou Sara, La., March 4, 1832, and was a son of John McVea, a native of Ireland, who came to America, in 1820, and located at Bayou Sara, La., where he became a prominent merchant. His son, Charles McVea, graduated from Centenary college, then located at Jackson, La., and then he took up the study of law at Clinton, La., where he practiced law with success, followed by an election to the district court as judge. He served several years, with distinction, as district judge, and then for 16 years as judge of the state court of appeals. He was serving in this latter position when he died in 1886. He won the reputation of an able jurist, and was highly esteemed as a citizen. Judge McVea married Miss Robert Lucy Hilliard, who was born in Petersburg, Va., and moved with her parents to Louisiana, when she was a mere girl. Her father, Dr. Robert Cargill Hilliard, was of English and Irish lineage, and a native of Nash county, N. C. He came to Louisiana about 1845, and settled at New Iberia. Unto Judge Charles McVea and wife were born 4 children, one of whom died in infancy. Those living are: Dr. Charles McVea, the subject of this sketch; Mary, the wife of Dr. Edward Dunbar Newell, a prominent physician of Chattanooga, Tenn., and Dr. William Walker McVea, a dentist, of Baton Rouge. The mother died, in 1875, at the age of 34 years. The home of the family was in Clinton, La., and there Dr. Charles McVea was reared. At the age of 13 he entered Magruder's institute, Baton Rouge, and was a student there till 1885, in which year he became a student in the Webb school, Culleoka, Tenn., where he spent 1 year. In 1886 he entered the Louisiana State university, whence he was graduated in 1890 with the degree of bachelor of science. Predilection led him to the study of medicine, and entering Tulane university, he completed the medical course there, graduating in 1893, with the degree of A. D. Dr. McVea began his professional career as a practitioner in Baton Rouge. He rose very rapidly in his profession and soon gained a large and remunerative practice. As a physician and surgeon, Dr. McVea has held the following positions: Assistant superintendent of the state insane asylum at Jackson; surgeon for the Louisiana state university, Baton Rouge; surgeon for the state school for the deaf, and surgeon, for 10 years, for the state school for the blind. He has been honored by an election to the presidency of the East Baton Rouge parish medical society, and also to that of the Louisiana State medical society. Besides being a member of these medical societies, he is also a member of the American Medical association, of the Southern medical society, of the Mississippi Valley medical society, and the association of Military Surgeons of the United States. In politics, Dr. McVea has been honored by election to both branches of the Louisiana legislature. From 1900 to 1904 he served in the lower house, and from 1908 to 1912 in the state senate. His record in the legislature met the most sanquine hopes of his many friends, and gave him rank among the ablest legislators, who have served the state. As a staunch Democrat, Dr. McVea has long been closely identified with the interests of his political party. In fraternal relations, he is a Master Mason, being a Past Master of the "Blue Lodge;" he is also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of the Knights of Pythias, the Woodmen of the World, and the United Workmen. Feb. 5, 1894, Dr. McVea married Miss Pearl W. Lobdell, of Lobdell, La. Unto the marriage were born 2 children, namely: Pearl, Jr., and Bena.

Contributed 2021 Nov 04 by Mike Miller, from Louisiana: Comprising Sketches, edited by Alcee Fortier, published in 1914, volume 3, pages 278-279.