1892 Biography - J. D. Worthy

Dr. J. D. Worthy, son-in-law of Mr. Palmer, was a prominent and successful physician and surgeon of East Feliciana parish, and was born near Jackson, November 20, 1833. He was the son of Thomas and Maria (Carney) Worthy, the former a native of Georgia, who came to Louisiana when a young man and settled on the place later owned by his son, the Doctor, where he died at an advanced age, a member of the Methodist church. He had a family of four sons and three daughters, all of whom reached maturity, but of whom only Mrs. Sallie Lee the wife of Zach Lee, and Rhoda, the wife of H. Lea, still survive. Of the others, Thomas, William and Scott left families. Rebecca died when about grown. Dr. J. D. Worthy was the third child in order of birth. He graduated from Centenary college, studied medicine at Jackson under Dr. Thomas Jones, graduated in medicine from Tulane university at New Orleans, commenced practice in Bossier parish in 1855, and at the close of the war returned to East Feliciana and engaged quite extensively in planting, relinquishing the practice of his profession for the time being, excepting as to a specialty, in which he has been very successful in his immediate neighborhood and for one year in New Orleans. While in Bossier parish he was married to Mrs. Mary Andrews, daughter of Archibald D. Palmer. This lady was born in East Feliciana parish, May 22, 1836, and was the only child born by Mr. Palmer's third wife. Mrs. Palmer was a native of South Carolina, born March 11, 1802, bore the maiden name of Catherine Williams, but at the time of her marriage to Mr. Palmer was the widow of Mr. Norwood. Mrs. Mary Worthy was reared in East Feliciana, but was educated in St. Michael's school in St. James parish. She was first married to Edwin C. Andrews, who was born in Hinds county, Miss., February 18, 1830, a son of Elisha Andrews, of South Carolina, who early moved to Mississippi, but later came to East Feliciana parish, La., where he was extensively engaged in planting. Edwin C. Andrews was a member of a family of seven children and died at Camp Moore, December 22, 1861, a lieutenant of the Nance guard, Nineteenth Louisville volunteer infantry. He left two brothers: James and Thomas Andrews. Edwin C. was married in 1854 at Clinton, La., moved to Shreveport, and followed planting in Caddo parish. He was the father of two sons: Edward P. and Clarence, the latter of whom died in childhood. To Dr. J. D. Worthy and wife was born one child, Sallie E., now deceased. The Doctor died November 24, 1891, and his widow, Mrs. Mary E. Worthy, August 8, 1892.

Contributed 2021 Nov 04 by Mike Miller, from Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Louisiana, published in 1892, volume 2, pages 297-298.