Biographical Sketch of Dr. John James Morrow
October 27, 1861 – December 14, 1949
John James Morrow was born in McMinhville, Warren, Tennessee on
October 27, 1861 to the farming family of Demonstone and Mary
Morrow. In the 1880 census the family was living in Bearden, Marion,
Arkansas.
John J Morrow received his early education in the common schools of
Marion county and later entered the academy at Valley Springs. For
four years he engaged in teaching in the rural schools of Marion
county. 1 After deciding upon a medical career he graduated from the
16 member 1889 class of The University of Arkansas Medical Sciences
Campus. On January 5, 1893 he and Hattie J Curlee were married in
Baxter County, Arkansas. Dr. Morrow is listed in the 1900 census as a
physician practicing in Whiteville, Baxter County. Two children had
been added to the family by that time. Dr. Morrow was one of four
doctors to meet in Mountain Home to organize a medical society in
June, 1902 with Dr. Morrow being elected President. The 1906
American Medical Directory lists John J. Morrow as practicing in Cotter,
Baxter County. In December, 1913 the Medical Society of Baxter County
met and Dr. Morrow was elected Secretary. He was also selected
delegate to the Arkansas Medi-Society. The 1920 census shows Dr.
Morrow practicing in Union, Baxter County. “Dr. Morrow was the
pioneer physician of Cotter.” 1 In 1925 Dr. Morrow was serving as
County Health Officer. The county was under orders to initiate a
vaccination program in the schools and Dr. Morrow offered his service
free to the pupils.
In 1941 The Baxter Bulletin published a front page story of Dr. Morrow
titled “Dr. J. J. Morrow Has 50-Year Record As “Family” Doctor In Ozark
Mountains”. It speaks of Dr. Morrow as “more than a physician, one
who attends to physical ills, a family doctor is philosopher, psychologist,
philanthropist, counsellor and comforter to thousands.” And “Dr.
Morrow has no idea of the exact number of babies he has brought into
the world but it is in the thousands.” 2
Another article “A Country Doctor” begins with “Baxter county’s oldest
practicing physician, Dr. J. J. Morrow, observed his 85 th birthday Sunday
after a life time dedicated to the service of Baxter county people.” and
ends saying “With a broad general knowledge and a desire to serve
rather than make money these doctors have meant much to the life of
the nation and particularly to the rural areas.” 3 In 1949, at the age of
88, Dr. Morrow was honored at a meeting of the Arkansas Medical
Society for having practiced 60 years.
On December 14, 1949 Dr. J. J. Morrow died at the Saltzman Hospital
after an illness of three weeks. Funeral services were held at
Presbyterian Church in Cotter followed by burial in the Cotter
cemetery. Masons were in charge of the last rites at the cemetery.
Doctor Morrow’s photograph furnished by Yellville Masonic Lodge #117
1 Centennial History of Arkansas, Volume 111, 1922, pages 718-719
2 The Baxter Bulletin, Mtn. Home, Baxter, AR, April 11, 1941, page 1
3 The Baxter Bulletin, Mtn. Home, Baxter, AR, Nov. 1, 1946, page 2
John T. Mitchell
February 20, 2021