Dr. R. Atkinson

San Marcos

             Roger Atkinson is of old Virginia stock, and was born in Lunenburg county, Virginia, in 18—. His father, Robert Alexander, and his mother, Elizabeth J. Atkinson, were native Virginians. He came to Texas in 1856. and settled at Gonzales, where he went to school. In 1874 begun to study medicine at that place, under the instruction of Dr. John C. Jones, who had the advantage of an European education, and of the practical benefits of a four years service as a military surgeon in the late war; attended lectures at New Orleans in 1874-5 and 6, two courses, and graduated in March, 1876.

             His father, who had been wealthy, became impovished by the disastrous war, and was not able pecuniarily to give his son a medical education. Moreover, for some reason, he was opposed to the choice Roger had made, and gave him no encouragement; but his son had determined to succeed, and in the face of this, and many more obstacles, persevered and did succeed. Today he is one of the most successful and most popular physicians in South Texas. After reading a while in the office of his kind and able preceptor, and preparing himself for lectures, he had to borrow the necessary money to complete his course; and this money, at a heavy rate of interest, he had to pay, and had it to make, after he graduated. Receiving his diploma, he settled at Yorktown, in Dimmit county, and with a stout heart, went to work. Night and day, rain or shine, he answered every call, pay or no pay: he let nothing hinder him in the pursuit of the one object—success in the practice; and for ten years he labored, paying little by little, the loan, with enormous accumulation of interest. But finally he was a free man, and in the possession—besides his diploma —of a practical knowledge of the diseases of Southern Texas. It is a source of gratitude to his biographer to say that long before the father died he had become reconciled to his son's choice of a profession, and was very proud of his success; he proved a "son worthy of his sire."

             He was honored by the Faculty in New Orleans, in 1876, in being selected for appointment as United States Assistant Surgeon, which appointment he declined. Practiced at Yorktown from April, 1876 to March, 1886; since that time in San Marcos, to which place he removed from Yorktown in 1886.

             While doing a general practice, he has a predilection for the obstetric branch, and devotes special attention to the study and practice of diseases of women and children.

             At San Marcos he does a good practice, and is much esteemed by the people as well as by his colleagues in medicine. He is medical examiner for the New York Life Insurance company, the Union Mutual of Maine, etc., and for the order of Knights of Honor. He is also surgeon of two railroads—the International & Great Northern, and the Missouri, Kansas & Texas, and is also City Health Officer, filling now his third term. Is a member of the Texas State Medical Association, and of the Austin District Medical Society.

             In 1879 he was married to Miss Alice Brownley; and they have three children.