A specialist of eye, ear, nose and throat diseases, Dr. Dotson has had a very successful career both in general medicine and in his special work. A few years after taking his medical degree and beginning practice, his inclination and the trend of his abilities led him to specialize. His training is a product of some of the best clinics and hospitals in the country, and he is rapidly acquiring a position of exceptional distinction.
Walter S. Dotson was born in Macon County, Tennessee, December 13, 1878, a son of Hiram J. and Alice (Cornwell) Dotson. James Dotson, the grandfather, was a native of middle Tennessee and spent his life as a farmer. The maternal grandfather, T. J. Cornwell, a native of this state, had a prosperous career as farmer and merchant, and is now living in Macon County past eighty. He is a man of fine intelligence and education, and gave much attention to the sciences of astronomy and mathematics. Both Hiram J. Dotson and his wife were natives of Macon County, the former born in 1850 and the latter in 1859. The father served during the last year of the war, though only fifteen, and was one of the youngest soldiers of the Union army. While on the road to Nashville a piece of artillery was overthrown and injured him. After the war he became a Macon County farmer, where he still owns a large estate, but is now living in Sumner County. He was the father of eight children, the doctor being the oldest, and educated them all for professional careers with the exception of the youngest, who is still a school boy. The father is a member of the Christian church, is affiliated with the Grand Army, and is Republican in politics though never taking an active part.
Dr. Dotson married, in 1897, Miss Anna Dennis. Her father, the Rev. J. M. Dennis, whose home is at Franklin, Kentucky, is a minister of the Christian church, an evangelist whose work takes him to all parts of the United States. The Doctor and wife have two children, Mabel, now in school, and Walter S., Jr., four years old.
He and his wife are members of the Christian church. He is a chapter Mason, is past master and now senior warden, and is grand lecturer for the order in the Fourth Congressional District. He also holds the office of President in the order of the Lions, and is prelate in the Loyal Order of Moose. He is a past worthy patron in the Eastern Star. In politics a Republican, he is now serving as alderman in Gallatin. Dr. Dotson is a popular member of his profession, is secretary and treasurer of the Sumner County Medical Society, a member of the Upper Cumberland and Middle Tennessee Medical Society, is medical councilor in the Fourth Congressional District for the State Medical Society, and a member of the American Medical Association. Since the above was compiled the doctor has been re-elected to each of the above offices.
Source: Hale, Will T, and Dixon L. Merritt. A History of Tennessee and Tennesseans: The Leaders and Representative Men in Commerce, Industry and Modern Activities. Chicago: Lewis Pub. Company, 1913. Volume 5.
