Dr. K.A. Mayer was one of Wilcox County, Alabama's most interesting citizens

Tomorrow – Sept. 9 – marks the 145^th anniversary of the birth of one of the most interesting men to ever call Wilcox County home – Dr. Kossuth A. Mayer.

Mayer was born on Sept. 9, 1877 and lived much of his long life at Lower Peach Tree before he passed away at the age of 71 in 1949. According to newspaper accounts, he was a “widely known and popular figure” and was “prominent in medical and political circles in the state for a number of years.”

He served as vice president of the Alabama Medical Association for 15 years and also served for many years as a member of the State Board of Censors. He also served with the State Board of Medical Examiners and on the Committee for Public Health at various times throughout his working career. He was also an active member of the Wilcox County Democratic Committee for many years.

Mayer was also a highly active Freemason as was his father. He was a member of the Pine Hill Lodge (which is named K.A. Mayer Lodge in honor of his father), and he also served as the Worshipful Master of the now-defunct lodge at Lower Peach Tree. His father was also a prominent early Wilcox County resident, but that is a story for another day.

At the time of his death, Mayer had been engaged in the practice of medicine for nearly 50 years. He was a graduate of the Memphis Medical School of Tennessee, having received his degree in 1900. He was said to have a “friendly nature” and “always had a good story to tell,” two qualities that every doctor should have.

Mayer was also an avid outdoorsman and was considered one of Wilcox County’s top hunters.

“Dr. Mayer really had something to show for his hunting,” The Wilcox Progressive Era writer Eugene Watts had to say at the time of Mayer’s death. “In his fine home he had many trophies, which were the reward of his hunting ability. These trophies included buck heads, mounted birds, many wild turkey beards, stuff foxes, fine rugs, etc.

“While Dr. Mayer was mostly a big game hunter, he did bird hunt and fox hunt a good deal. It was my pleasure to be on several bird hunts with him back in the Good Old Days when you could find 20 coveys a day. On this particular hunt, we were the guests of Mr. and Mrs. B. Holloman of Coy. Dr. Mayer had two very fine bird dogs named Buck and Trixie. We had a wonderful hunt and a grand time.”

Mayer passed away at his Lower Peach Tree home on March 3, 1949, and his funeral was held at his home the next day. The Rev. J.A. Anthony of the Lower Peach Tree Methodist Church and the Rev. J.H. Bogie of the Camden Presbyterian Church conducted his funeral. After the services at his home, Mayer’s remains were taken to the Lower Peach Tree Cemetery, where he was given a Masonic burial.

In the end, let me hear from you if you have any additional information about Mayer or his father. There may actually be some readers in the audience who personally remember Dr. Mayer. It would be interesting to hear what they remember about this unique Wilcox County personality.