Dr. JOHN DAVIDSON FIELDS

Born in Abingdon, Washington County, Virginia, on April 19, 1845, the son of a brick mason and contractor who owned his own brick-making operation, Dr. John Davidson (J. D.) Fields, lived and practiced medicine in Manor from 1869 to the early 1900's.

In the fall of 1861, at the age of 17, he left school to join the Confederate Army. He served in the Kentucky Cavalry with Captain Tom Quirk’s Scouts under General John Hunt Morgan and took part in the fighting at Fort McHenry, Fort Donelson, Corinth, Shiloh, Murfreesboro and Lookout Mountain. In 1864 at Mount Sterling in Kentucky, he was left on the field for dead, but he revived and was taken prisoner. Upon recovering, he escaped and rejoined his comrades. He was said to have been in 47 engagements and skirmishes and was wounded 5 times. He was reported as being killed several times, but always managed to recover and continue on with his companions until the end of the war.

At the close of the war, in June 1865, he made his way to Texas, staying briefly in Austin, north Texas and Webberville, but finally settling in the Manor area.

On October 24, 1866, he married 17 year-old Mary Frances Raney who had journeyed from Rutherford County, TN, to Travis County in 1859. Four children were born to them, but one died just before reaching his first birthday.

This oval family photograph was made around 1890 in Austin. Standing (from left) are William John Fields (1868-1939), Dr. David Blackstone Fields (1879-1937), Eleanor Hibernia Fields McClenahan (1874-1963); seated (from left) are Mary Frances Raney Fields (1849-1947) and Dr. John Davidson Fields (1845-1925).

He attended the Medical College of the University of Louisiana (forerunner of Tulane University). After his graduation in 1869, he practiced medicine at Manor, at one time

operating a drug store in addition to his medical practice.

Lot 10, block 29 in the city of Manor was at one time owned by Dr. Fields in partnership with Dr. R. S. Gregg. It was sold in 1882 and, after changing owners several more times, in 1913 it became the location of Citizens Guaranty State Bank.

In 1883 after having visited the area in connection with his medical duties, Dr. Fields bought a little over 19,000 acres of land in what later became Sutton County where he raised cattle, horses, sheep and goats.

Writing on this photograph says "Dr. J. D. Fields residence - 1884"

An article in the Brenham Daily Banner newspaper on August 20, 1897 said,"It is reported at Austin that Dr. J. D. Fields of Manor contemplates becoming a candidate for congress in this congressional district. He is said to be quite popular and may mix things up mightily if he enters the race."

A second article in the Austin Weekly Statesman on August 26, 1897 said, "Dr. J. D. Fields of Manor called at The Statesman office yesterday and stated that he was not a candidate for any political office at the present time, nor in the future."

The Bryan Daily Eagle newspaper reported on February 6, 1897 that Dr. Fields had been appointed by the governor to the board of managers of the state Lunatic Asylum. The Austin City Directory for 1897-1898 listed him in this position.

The Brenham Daily Banner on April 2, 1889 wrote; "The Texas Farm and Ranch states that Dr. J. D. Fields has been appointed a director of the A & M College at Bryan. His appointment is warmly commended."

The following announcement appeared in The Galveston Daily News on June 6, 1892;

On August 24, 1889 a story in the Galveston Daily News about The State of Texas Farmers' Alliance (which was holding its convention in Dallas) read; "The election of officers was reached this evening and Dr. J. D. Fields of Travis County was elected president on the first ballot by a large majority." He served as a member and as president for several terms of both the Travis County Farmers' Alliance and the State Farmers' Alliance in the late 1800's to early 1900's. Morrison and Fourmy's General Directory of the city of Austin listed him as such in 1897 - 1898.

In 1889 it was said that he was farming and ranching on about 900 acres in Travis County near Manor, 400 of which was in cultivation, and about 500 acres being used as pasture land where he raised Jersey cattle.

In 1897 Dr. Fields journeyed to Tennessee, his wife's home state, to visit the six- month long Tennessee Centennial Exposition being held in Nashville.

On November 4, 1908 the San Antonio Daily Express newspaper carried this announcement; "...Dr. J. D. Fields of Manor, Travis County, left today for Rochester, Minnesota, to enter a famous sanitarium to undergo an operation..." Apparently it was a success since he was mentioned as being back in the Manor / Austin area only a few weeks later.

Somewhere around this same time, Dr. Fields moved from Manor to Austin, although the exact date seems to be unknown.

A book published in 1892 titled "Personnel of the Texas State Government with sketches of Representative Men of Texas" carried an article about Dr. Fields which said, "Dr. Fields is a member of the Christian Church, a Blue Lodge Mason, and a past noble grand of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In local politics he is an independent Democrat, voting for those candidates he considers the best man. In State and National politics, he votes the Democratic ticket straight. After the war when Dr. Fields reached Austin, he had less than $43 in money. He is now an extensive ranch and real estate owner, his fortune being estimated at not less than $125,000. He is one of the most liberal, public spirited, enterprising and influential men in his part of the State."

Dr. John Davidson Fields died on June 27, 1925. The June 28th edition of The Austin American newspaper carried the announcement.