Swords, Merrick W., M.D.

Submitted by Mike Miller

Swords, Merrick W., M. D., New Orleans, La., was born at Big Cane, La., in 1883; son of Manon L. and Aola (Wards) Swords, the first-named parent having been born at Big Cane, where he has continued to reside, and at the present time holds the office of sheriff of St. Landry parish. The mother, daughter of Dr. T. C. Ward, was born at Moreauville, Avoyelles parish. The paternal grandfather, James T. Swords, moved from Georgia and located at Big Cane previous to the Civil war. He has devoted his energies to the business of planter, and has represented his district in the Louisiana state legislature when he felt called upon to do so. The paternal great-grandfather came from Swordstown, Ireland, to America, and located in Georgia, where he resided until the close of his life. Marion L. Swords served as assessor of St. Landry parish for 1 term. During this time the great fight for white supremacy took place in Louisiana, and because of his refusal to register negro voters, it is said, he was arrested and confined in jail by the opposing faction. It is related that Mr. Swords has the distinction of being the only man in Louisiana who has been imprisoned on such a charge. Merrick W. Swords received his earlier education in the public schools of St. Landry parish, and after finishing at the high school he, in 1900, entered the medical department of Tulane university. In 1902 he found it necessary to leave the university for a time, but in 1905 returned, and in 1907 graduated with the degree of M.D. After obtaining his medical degree he returned to his home town and there engaged in general practice until 1910, when he took a post-graduate course in genito-urinary diseases, under Prof. Hugh H. Young, at Johns Hopkins university. Early in 1911 he engaged in practice in New Orleans, and in the latter part of that year formed a partnership with Dr. H. F. Ader. This partnership has continued since its formation. For 2-1/2 years Dr. Swords served as visiting genito-urinary surgeon to Charity hospital and is at this time chief genito-urinary visiting surgeon at the Presbyterian hospital, New Orleans. He is a member of the Orleans parish, the Louisiana State and the American Medical associations, Benevolent Order of Elks, and the Chess, Checkers and Whist club. In 1912 Dr. Swords was married to Miss Lorrie Cullom. They have 1 son, Cullom, born in 1905.

Louisiana: Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), p. 424. Edited by Alcée Fortier, Lit.D. Published in 1914, by Century Historical Association.