A doctor who changed Kerr County history

George Robins Parsons, MD (1842-1893)

There are a lot of names from Kerrville’s history which are seldom remembered today – even when the person had a big impact on our community’s story. 

One such name is George Robins Parsons, MD (1842 - 1893).

He had served in the Union Army during the Civil War, and was severely wounded in the Battle of Seminary Ridge. After the war he studied medicine in Chicago.

Dr. Parsons was a pioneer medical doctor in Kerrville, arriving here in 1875. When he came to town, it wasn’t to practice medicine. He came here seeking health for himself.

In the 1870s, it was thought a dry climate would help those suffering from tuberculosis, and that’s why Dr. Parsons came to Kerrville.

Here’s his story in his own words, taken from an article he wrote for the "Southern Journal of Homeopathy" in June, 1892:

"...through a series of unfavorable circumstances, I was attacked with serious hemorrhages of the lungs in 1875, and rapidly broke down in health." A change in climate from his native Illinois was recommend by his doctors. 

"Upon advice of Dr. T. C. Duncan, then editor of the "Medical Investigator," I directed my steps toward San Antonio. Upon an examination of my lungs the doctors in that city shook their heads and told me they thought I had come too late."

Parsons Hall, 600 block of Water Street

One doctor, a Dr. Fisher, "had just returned from an extensive outing in the Health Belt...and recommended Kerrville."

"Acting upon his advice I boarded a freight wagon at San Antonio, the only means of getting there in those days, and to Kerrville I came. I shall never forget the loneliness of that ride, nor the impressions made upon my mind by the realization of the fact that I was going away off from rail and telegraph communication with friends in the north, perhaps to die among strangers in a strange and frontier land. But here I came and here I have been ever since and here I am and here I expect to be until I die. A good many of my Kerrville friends well remember to this day their first meeting with the young doctor from the north with his silk plug hat and his regulation black coat, all of which were strange to this country at that time, and all of which gave me the appearance of a walking cadaver. Many were the sympathies expressed on all sides for the poor fellow, and many were the condemnations of the doctor who had sent him here...[I] was emaciated to a skeleton, and every one I came in contact with expected to see me a charge upon the county."

Dr. Parsons regained his health, and eventually his family joined him here. He wrote about his recovery in newspapers and medical journals across the country. It was because of these efforts Kerrville became known as a healthful place for tuberculosis patients, and many local families can trace their ancestry back to a forebear who came here seeking health as Dr. Parsons had done. This effort changed the history of Kerrville.

In 1876, Dr. Parsons and his wife, Mary Adele Parsons, opened Kerrville’s first sanitorium for tubercular patients, in a building on the corner of Water and Sidney Baker streets, which is now part of Peterson Plaza. Its opening was celebrated with a “Grand Opening Ball.”

In the November 4, 1876 issue of the Frontiersman, Kerrville’s first newspaper, had an invitation to the “Terpsichorean Social.” I looked up terpsichorean; it means ‘relating to dancing.’

“Dr. and Mrs. G. R. Parsons respectfully present their compliments to the citizens of Kerr County and extend to them a cordial invitation to attend the opening of the Sanitorium.

“On account of the distance many will have to come, supper will be served from 5 to 8 p.m., and at 3 a.m., a substantial breakfast will be given…. Tickets $1.50. Horses and teams cared for extra.”

The ball itself was featured in the next issue of the Frontiersman, November 11, 1876:

“The Grand Ball at the opening of the Sanitorium came off last Wednesday evening, and was, as everyone anticipated, a complete success. The dancing was continued until near daylight, and then there were some who seemed not weary of the bewitching pleasure. The supper, which was in connection with the ball, we must admit surpassed our most sanguine expectations. All credit and honor is due to Dr. and Mrs. Parsons for this most enjoyable affair.”

In addition to the sanitorium, the Parsons owned the livery stables, ran a stage coach service to neighboring cities, and even owned the local newspaper for a while.

Dr. Parsons also held several public offices here, including Kerr County judge, and later mayor of Kerrville, the office he held when he died.

From the Galveston Daily News, of November 30, 1893: “Kerrville, Tex., Nov. 29. – Dr. G. R. Parsons, mayor of this city and proprietor of the Kerrville Paper, died at 3:30 o’clock this afternoon.” He left a wife and three children, and is buried in Kerrville’s Glen Rest Cemetery.

"Although a Republican in politics and a northerner, and living in a southern and Democratic community, he enjoyed the confidence of all….”

Until next week, all the best.

Joe Herring Jr. is a Kerrville native who spends his work days in a building built (in part) by Bert Parsons, son of Dr. Parsons. This column originally appeared in the Kerrville Daily Times February 4, 2023.