History of the American Negro: West Virginia Edition

Harry E. Kingslow

west virginia edition 141 As a physician, Dr. Jones has had the opportunity to study conditions in an intimate sort of way and while he recognizes the advantages of education and the development of the economic life, he feels that the greatest need of all is a strengthening of the moral fiber of the race. Dr. Jones has property interests and investments in both Charleston and Washington. Harry E. Kingslow The stories of the young men of limited means and opportunity who have by dint of hard work, courage and economy, struggled up from obscurity to places of large usefulness, constitute an asset which the race cannot afford to ignore. One of these enterprising men whose skill and work have brought him to the front in professional life is Dr. Harry Eugene Kingslow, of Williamson, W. Va. Dr. Kingslow is a native of New Jersey, having been born at Plainfield, on July 19, 1882. His parents were Henry and Katie (Ward) Kingslow. As a boy, young Kingslow pursued his elementary studies in the excellent public schools of Plainfield, and with this foundation proceeded to equip himself for the real work of life. The way was by no means easy, as may be inferred from his own simple story of his struggles. He says, “My father, who was a cook, had his earning capacity greatly impaired by being deaf. My struggles to obtain an education were great and my difficulties many. Being the oldest of five children, I gladly struggled by working and sacrificing in order that I might not be a burden to my parents, who, while willing, were not able to help me much. I worked in drug stores during my summer vacations of Plainfield public schools. I gained all the information possible about conducting the drug business while working as soda fountain attendant and general utility boy, allowing very little to escape my attention. I was ambitious to become a physician, but not seeing my way clear financially to study medicine, I studied pharmacy at Howard University as second 142 history american negro choice. I was never over choice about my work and usually held a job of work till I could get a better one. I did all kinds, from selling books and building lots to serving club sandwiches and other things in the Atlantic City hotels.” In addition to his studies at Plainfield, Dr. Kingslow’s education included attendance at Bluefield Colored Institute, at Institute, W. Va., where he studied for two years; the School of Pharmacy, Howard University , where he won his Phar.D. degree in 1905; Walden University from the literary Department of which he has the A.B. degree, and Meharry Medical College, of the same institution, where he won his M.D. in 1915. He began professional work in Washington in the summer of 1905, and went from there to Charleston, W. Va., as manager of the Gem Pharmacy. In 1907 he went into the drug business at Bluefield, where he remained till he went to Walden University. While pursuing his medical course at Meharry, he taught the theory and practice of pharmacy in the same institution. On completion of his course, he began the practice in Louisville, Ky. He remained there till 1916, when he returned to West Virginia, where he has since resided and where he has built up a practice of which a much older man might well be proud. On August 18, 1918, Dr. Kingslow married Miss Virginia M. Warren , daughter of Truxton B. and Emma (Carter) Warren, of Tazewell, Va. They have one son, Harry Warren Kingslow. Mrs. Kingslow was educated at Oberlin Conservatory of Music and taught at Bluefield before her marriage. In politics Dr. Kingslow is a Republican, and in 1920 was offered the nomination for membership on the city commission of William­ son,which he declined after mature consideration,feeling that it would interfere with his professional work. He is a member of the Baptist church and belongs to the Masons. He is a member of state, national, and the Flat Top Medical Societies. He is medical examiner for the Masons. Dr. Kingslow’s work and study have carried him into various sections and give him a rather unusual opportunity to study conditions. duncan huey kyle 144 history american negro He is of the opinion that the progress of the race may best be promoted by more education for the masses, by...