Dr. Son, is one of the best loved physicians who served the people of St. Francois County. He was born January 2, 1857 to James Monroe and Eliza J. Harris Son. He was one twelve children. When he was 19 years of age he obtained his first teacher's certificate and started teaching mathematics and penmanship in the Central Missouri Rural Schools. On February 10, 1884, he married Ida Leota Lee Carney in Moniteau County, near Enon, Missouri and they raised a family of six girls and three boys, losing two children as infants and a daughter, Della May of meningitis at age eleven. He worked and earned enough money to take up the study of medicine and photography. In 1899 he graduated from St. Louis with his doctor's degree. He immediately chose Bonne Terre as the place where he would begin his medical practice and he has been a part of our community in various positions for the last 42 years.

The nine living children are as follows: Alvin; John of Etterville, MO; Estella Blanch (Mrs. A.E. Moon) of Dodge City, Kansas; James of Columbia, MO; Goldie (Mrs. Bob Womack) of Washington D.C.; Maud (Mrs. Wyman Buckner) of Desloge; Leota (Mrs. Roy Buford) of Flat River; Rowena (Mrs. George Whitney) of St. Louis; Emma (Mrs. Fred Boehm) of St. Louis. Dr. Son is also well-known in the community for his pen and ink drawings. He often gave them to friends and patients who treasured them. Early in 1945, Dr. Son fell on some ice in front of his office and broke his hip. His health gradually declined until his death on July 10, 1945. All businesses in Bonne Terre closed Friday, on the day of his burial, in his honor.

NOTE: More information on the life of Dr. T. A. Son can be found in the article "Abbreviated Biography of Dr. T. A. Son, Bonne Terre, MO" which was published in the Lead Belt News on December 6, 1940 when Dr. Son was 83 years of age.