Post by Eric Standridge on Nov 14, 2011 11:32:03 GMT -6
Dr. John B. Wear is a well-known physician of Poteau and health superintendent of Le Flore county. He has been practicing at this point since 1897, coming directly from Auburn, Sebastian county, Arkansas, where he was engaged in professional work for seven years. Dr. Wear is a native of Alabama, born in St. Clair county, in the month of September, 1855. Roton G. Wear, his father, was a native of east Tennessee, born in 1832, and was one of several brothers who passed their lives in Tennessee and Arkansas. Of these, Levater and Robert Wear 'n Logan county, Arkansas; John M., in Polk county; and Rev. Jefferson Wear was long engaged in the ministry in eastern Tennessee. Shortly before the outbreak of the Civil war the father migrated to Texas. He was a shoemaker by trade and enlisting in the Confederate army was detailed to the shoe manufacturing departments at Arkadeiphia, Washington and Gilmer. A few years afterward he removed his family to Arkansas, dying near Mena in 1887. His last years were passed as a farmer in connection with the operation of a gin and mill. The elder Mr. Wear married Sarah E. Stevenson, who died in Polk county, in 1902, the mother of the following: Dr. John B., of this sketch; Thomas J., of Sallisaw, Oklahoma; A. E., of Polk county, Arkansas; Francis A., who resides in Sallisaw, Oklahoma; Robert L., principal of the Red Oak (Oklahoma) schools; Mary T., who became the wife of S. C. Thorton, of Sallisaw; and Mrs. S. E. Cotton, also of that city.
Dr. Wear received his early mental training in the public schools and afterward taught for ten years in the country districts, and while thus engaged he studied medical subjects so thoroughly that he was granted a permit to practice before he completed a regular course. He finally entered the medical department of the Arkansas University at Little Rock and received his pro-' fessional diploma and degree in 1888. He then located at Dallas, Arkansas, where he spent one year, and was then at Auburn, Sebastian county, where he continued in active practice until his removal to Poteau in 1897. Within the intervening decade he has established a substantial practice at this point and continues to be an active member of the County, State and American Medical Associations. In 1903 he took a post graduate course at the New Orleans Polyclinic, now a branch of the Tulane University. Besides his large practice Dr. Wear is also part owner of a large drug house, the business of which is conducted under the name of the Noble-Bird Drug Company. In politics a stanch Democrat, he is now serving the public as superintendent of health of Le Flore county by appointment from the Oklahoma commissioner of health. He is a Master Mason; an active member of the Church of Christ; a large property owner and in every way a substantial and influential citizen. On December 27, 1902, Dr. Wear was married in Sebastian county, Arkansas, to Miss Grace Gee.