The Beloved Physician
By Walter E. Daniel
Dr. Isaac E. Green was born in the town of Warrenton, N.C.,
on the 15th day of August, 1852, and died in Weldon on Sunday, the
20th day of April, 1919. His father, who died while the subject of
this sketch was a child of tender years, was a native of Granville county. His mother,
Mrs. Mary Green, was a member of the noted Cook family of Warren and she was a
remarkable woman in many respects, active, vigorous and mentally acute even to
a very old age. This family gave to the Methodist ministry a great preacher,
Reverend Charles Cook, and his distinguished son, Judge Charles A. Cook, became
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of North Carolina.
The writer of these lines remembers as if it were yesterday
on his return to his home for his vacation in June, 1873, that there was
pointed out to him a young doctor who the month before had located here to
practice medicine. The impression then made was of a tall stripling, not 21
years of age, diffident and retiring in his intercourse, but positive and
direct in his manner and courteous and gentlemanly in his bearing. From that
hour until the hands of his friends bore him to his last resting place, he was
the dominant influence of the community.
On the 24th day of November, 1874, he was married
to Miss Helen P. Day, who died May 14, 1902, and for more than 27 years this
woman presided in his home and with their sons and daughters lived the highest
type of wifehood and motherhood. Of this union there are surviving their
children, Mr. Geo. C. Green, Miss Mary Long Green, Mrs. Bessie Fountain, Mr.
DeLeon F. Green, Mrs. Willie Cohen, Mrs. Jessie Hughes and Mrs. Mercer
Murphrey. Two of their children died, one a son in infancy, and a daughter, Miss
Tempe Green, a few years ago, just as she was reaching young womanhood.
On the 10th of February, 1905, he was married to
Miss Margaret W. Brickell and she with three sons, Isaac, John, and Shepherd,
and one daughter, Grace, survive. Fortunate in his choice no one could have
more tenderly cared for our friend than did his faithful and devoted wife to
the end. Thus it will be noted that a large family of sons and daughters are
left to bear his name and perpetuate his virtues.
Dr. Green was one of the most remarkable men that the writer
has ever known. His education both academic and professional, was unusually
broad and thorough. This was largely due to the possession of a most wonderful
memory, trained to the highest degree of accuracy; and he had that quality
which was far better and which the majority of men lack, the power of the
closest concentration and application. It could be said of him in truth that he
never forgot anything. Rules learned at school, dates, names, facts were at his
command. There was hardly a child for the past generation in the homes in which
he practiced whose birthday he could not tell offhand.
His activities were not alone confined to the practice of
his profession to which he was devoted, but he took a large interest in all
public matters affecting his community, his county and the State. It can safely
be said of him that he has helped effectively to promote the political fortunes
of more men than any other man of his time. His delight was to get behind and
support the aspirations of a friend. And from the moment the contest started he
was the embodiment of sleepless energy. There was not task too burdensome, no
obstacle too great, that he did not seek to over-come and carry to a successful
finish that which he had undertaken.
He held many positions of trust. He was superintendent of
Health for his town and county for a long period and until the day of his
death. He was a member of the State Senate in 1895 and a Director of the State
Prison during the administration of Governor Elias Carr.
In any position to which he was called he brought to the
performance of his duties the most careful consideration and intelligent
attention. In cases of epidemics and in the enforcement of Quarantine
Regulations of town and county, he served the people to the highest point,
efficiently never stopping day or night until the dreaded enemy was under
control.
It is not improper to write of his political life. He is
probably as well known in this phase of his many sided capabilities as in any
other. For the 35 years with an occasional interval he held the position of
Chairman of the Democratic Executive Committee of Halifax county. And when it
is written that he was Chairman it means he was the leader of his party. A candidate
always felt safe when he was in charge, absolutely tireless, maintaining a
perfect organization to the minutest detail, he never lost a battle, and it is
doubtful if there is a county in North Carolina, certainly not considering our
size, where there are so few votes in the opposition as in Halifax county. The
secret of his power was his indomitable courage and that he asked so little for
himself. His glory was to help his friends and in this light there are so many who
love to think of him. And what a friend he was! When he gave his friendship, he
was faithful, loyal, withstanding nothing, ready to spend his time and himself,
as true a champion and as knightly a defender as ever drew a sword in a sacred
crusade.
Those of his friends who have been is neighbors and have
enjoyed the inestimable privilege of being taken in the inner circle of his
companionship knew his qualities as a husband and father.
He reared a large family and his interest never flagged.
Through his attainments himself, he looked after and planned the education of
his children, and nothing escaped this supervision, whether it was the task of
the beginner or the scholarship of the collegian. He always dispensed an open
handed hospitality, and there were none more delightful gatherings than his
entertainments of his congenial friends in his home. Surrounded by wife and
children and friends that understood and loved him, these were occasions to be
remembered.
Doctor Green will be thought of by more people as a
physician.
For nearly 46 years he went in and out of the homes of the
people of this section, white and black, carrying healing in his hands. Before
the days of the auto car and good roads, this physician in his buggy at all
hours, night and day, travelled more miles than any other man who has ever
lived within its borders. Is there any more enduring monument? A completed
life, a stately column covered with a capstone that tells mutely of suffering
relieved and the tender mercy of ministration. This is far better than the
hoarding of wealth, a nobler heritage to leave to his children.
If he had considered the money side of his calling, he would
have left a large estate to his family, but nothing was further from his life.
He always heard the call of suffering and payment was the last thing of which
he thought. Until stricken with his last illness, the poor never lacked a
physician. And could a nobler epitaph be written than this: “He served his
people with a devotion that has known no reserve.” He will not be forgotten,
but his memory will be cherished in hundreds of homes where his coming brought
hope and his skill stayed the last enemy.
During the past year, he was stricken with illness, and
friends felt that it was the beginning of the end. Knowing every symptom
himself, he must have realized that his life was gradually drifting in the
shadow. Like many masterful men he was inclined to be impatient in health, he
could hardly brook restraint, and he was passionately devoted to freedom of
action, yet after this, no one ever heard him complain. The writer often marked
the spirit of gentleness that seemed to come over him and his appreciation of
the affection of his friends. He had found the consolation in the salvation of
the blessed Christ and he appeared to have the spirit that “helps our
infirmities.” With a sublime courage and unfailing tenderness he faced the end
and bowed to the divine decree and let us think that before the gentle sleep
that he preceded the end brought relief from suffering to his wasted body, he
felt upon his brow “the breath of the eternal morning,” and that he, so keenly
alive always to the suffering of his fellows, heard the reward of a life so
nobly spent:
“Come, ye blessed of my father.
I was sick and ye visited me.”
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