Biography

Dr. Lacy Donnell (Don) Wharton was born in Greensboro, NC, in 1869, to William David and Mary Elizabeth “Mollie” Wharton. He was a prominent physician, who was interested in the civic, educational, and religious life of his community.

Wharton was a graduate of Davidson College, University of Virginia, and Tulane University and practiced medicine in Smithfield, NC, for about 35 years.

Dr. Wharton’s first marriage was to Lizzie Wharton on December 26, 1894, and they had a son named William Lacy Wharton (born 1895). Lizzie was the daughter of William P. and Jane N. Wharton. She died on August 24, 1898, and is buried at Bethel Presbyterian Church Cemetery in McLeansville, NC.

On October 22, 1902, Dr. Wharton married Lillian “Lily” Ashley Benton, who was born April 10, 1874, to Walter N. and Virginia Oats Benton. The couple had four sons: David Benton (b. 1903), Lacy Donnell, Jr. (b. 1905), James Gilmer (b. 1907), and Charles Watson (b. 1910). Lillian died July 2, 1958, and is buried in Riverside Cemetery, Smithfield, NC.

Dr. Wharton died June 15, 1931, at his home in Smithfield, NC, and is buried in the Buffalo Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Greensboro, NC.

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