My grandfather Joseph was widely known as J.B. Even though I was only ten years old when J.B. died, he had a profound influence on my life. He inspired me to become a doctor. He, in turn, had been motivated by two of his uncles who became doctors: Jasper and George Enoch Kelsey. Both had been doctors in the Confederate army. In April 1888, my grandfather obtained a license to practice medicine in Mississippi, but he wanted to improve his professional capabilities by earning a medical degree. He opened his own practice, first in Barton, Mississippi, and then in nearby Red Banks.

Twentieth-Century Doctor

House Calls to Space Medicine

By Mavis P. Kelsey, Sr.