Many of the most successful business and professional men of both
races in West Virginia were born and reared in the Old Dominion.
One of these is Dr. George Nelson Marshall, a prominent physician
and a surgeon of Keystone. Dr. Marshall is a native of Henry
County, Va., having been born on the outskirts of Martinsville,
Va., on February 12, 1865, which was only about 60 days before the
close of the war, which meant so much to the race. His father was
the late John Marshall, a farmer, the son of Peter and Lizzie
Marshall. Dr. Marshall's mother, before her marriage, was America
Preston, daughter of Geo. Nelson and Lucy Preston. Growing up on
the farm, young Marshall went to the local public schools. He went
into the local tobacco factories at an early age, and it was by
this means and by hotel work during vacations that he mad his way
in college. When ready for college he matriculated at Lincoln
University, where he spent five years, and was graduated with the
A.B. degree in 1894. On completion of his literary course he took
up the study of medicine at Leonard Medical College and won his
M.D. degree in 1898. In the spring of 1899 he began the practice at
Keystone, where he has since resided and where he has prospered.
He is a member of the various medical organizations including
the Flat Top, the State and the National Societies.
In politics Dr. Marshall is a Republican and has served on both
the County and State Committees. He is an active member of the
Presbyterian church in which he is an elder. Among the secret and
benevolent orders he is identified with the Masons, Odd Fellows,
Pythians and Court of Calanthe. He is especially prominent in the
work of the Pythians, having been Grand Master of Exchecquer, and
has also served as Grand Medical Director.
On November 2, 1899. Dr. Marshall was united in matrimony to
Miss Lizzie Bridgeford, a daughter of Benjamin and Phyllis
Bridgeford, of Raleigh, N. C. They have two children, Madeline E.
and Annie May Marshall.
While Dr. Marshall has gone quietly about his work he has been a
close observer of conditions and believes that the greatest need of
the race is the right sort of education. His property interest and
investments are all in West Virginia.
