Neil Dugald Buie
Neil Dugald Buie, b April 12, 1879 in Scotland, Arkansas, d February 9, 1948 and buried in Calvary Cemetery in Marlin, Texas - the eldest of twin sons born to Daniel Webster and Sarah Ann (Kelly) Buie. After the death of Sarah, Daniel Buie brought his family to Falls County, Texas - settling first near Lott, where Neil Dugald Buie graduated from high school in 1899.After finishing Sam Houston Normal, Huntsville, Texas, Neil taught school two years at the Briary School in Milam County, Texas, before entering The University of Texas Medical School at Galveston. He transferred to Vanderbilt Medical School in Nashville, Tennessee, and graduated with honors in 1907, with his medical degree. On returning to Falls County, Dr. Buie was first associated in Marlin with Dr. John Walter Torbett until 1910, when he established his own Buie Clinic. Heading a staff of eight to ten doctors, Dr. Buie remained in practice in Marlin; and in 1922, after the death of Dr. Walter Hanz Allen, he assumed the operation of the modern hospital Dr. Allen had built in 1916. This he continued until his death, under the name of Buie Hospital. Under the direction of his son, Dr. Neil D. Buie, Jr., and son-in-law, Dr. Charles H. Cornwell, the hospital was operated continuously until October 1967.
On December 5, 1912 in Marlin, Texas, Dr. Neil Dugald Buie was married to Marian Clarkson, b January 5, 1885 at the of her parents, Benjamin Bed- ford and Fannie (Read) Clarkson. The was located on McClanahan Road, where Highlands Mansion now stands. The family lived there until 1891, when Mr. Clarkson suddenly died, and Mrs. Clarkson moved into Marlin with her four young daughters, to a house on Coleman Street, near relatives.
In 1902, with her cousin, Bess Foster, and friend, Mamie Bartlett, Marian Clarkson went to Nashville, Tennessee to attend Peabody College, where she studied voice and piano for two years - becoming an excellent musician. She often entertained her fellow members of the Wednesday Matinee Musical club, on the piano; and shared her talents generously with other Marlin groups. For a short time, she taught piano to a few students.
Dr. and Mrs. Buie both enjoyed management of their farms, and their became a gathering place for all the relatives. Mrs. Buie was very active in the First Methodist Church of Marlin - teaching Sunday School, playing the organ when the organist was away, and holding many offices in the missionary society.
Dr. Buie was an active member of the old Commercial Club and its successor, the Marlin Chamber of Commerce. He served a year as president of the East Texas Chamber of Commerce, and was one of the motivating forces which brought one of the early Hilton Hotels to Marlin, and the New York Giants' baseball team to Marlin for spring practice. He also worked to- ward getting better roads to Marlin. Active in politics, he was a conservative Democrat who, with his brother-in-law, Senator Tom Connally, wrote the Medical Plank in the 1941 National Democratic Platform.
Dr. Neil Dugald and Marian (Clarkson) Buie had three children:
Fan Read Buie, b October 10, 1915 in Marlin, Falls County, Texas, d August 21,1981 and buried in Cal- vary Cemetery in Marlin - married November 1,1938 in Marlin to Charles Henry Cornwell, M.D., b May 6, 1909 in Roanoke, Texas, d June 4, 1982 in Marlin and buried in Calvary Cemetery in Marlin - a son of William Lee and Margaret (Howe) Cornwell.
Neil Dugald Buie, Jr., M.D., b May 6,1918 in Marlin - married February 7, 1948 to Clarita Fonville, of Houston, Texas - daughter of one of the city's former mayors.
Marian Clarkson Buie, b December 27, 1924 in Marlin, d October 10, 1975, and buried in Calvary Cemetery in Marlin. She was never married, and lived all her life in Marlin.
Dr. Buie was a Deacon in the First Presbyterian Church, while Mrs. Buie remained active in the Methodist Church. He was a member of AOA Honorary Medical Fraternity, Royal Arch Masons, Lions Club, Rotary Club, and Kiwanis Club. He was a Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine, a charter member and past president of Texas Society of Internists, a Fellow of the American College of Physicians, Congress on Medical Education and Licensure, and past president of the Federation of State Medical Boards of the United States. He held numerous offices in the county, district, and state medical societies; and was elected president of the Texas Medical Association in 1941. He served on the Marlin School Board, and as medical editor of the Texas Outlook as well as on the State Board of Medical Examiners, for over twenty years. Sam Houston State University gave him their Distinguished Alumnus Award. when he died, the flag at the State Capitol was flown at half-staff.
A granddaughter and great-granddaughter, Mrs. Ann (Cornwell) Price, and daughter, Emrys Price, are the only descendants now residing in Marlin, Texas.
Some biographies from "Families of Falls County", compiled and edited by the Falls County Historical Commission.
Permission granted to Theresa Carhart by the Falls County Historical Commission, for use on this page.
