The Buxton Family
Caring For Virginia Peninsula Families For Over 100 Years —
A History of the Buxton Family in Hampton Roads
Joseph Thomas Buxton
Joseph Thomas Buxton (1875-1940) was born in North
Carolina and moved to Newport News where he married Helen von Lehn
of New Jersey.
During his early years as a physician, Dr. Buxton was both general
practitioner and surgeon, but his real interest was in surgery.
He became Chief Surgeon of the Newport News General Hospital when
it opened in 1903. When this hospital closed, he decided to build
one of his own. Elizabeth Buxton Hospital, named for his mother,
was opened in 1906. In 1907 he established a school of nursing because
of his interest in nursing education.
He was a great reader, preferring biographical and historical literature.
He belonged to many professional organizations, local, State and
National. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta and Nu Sigma Nu fraternities.
His religious affiliation was with the First Baptist Church. In
World War I he served as captain in the Army Medical Corps.
Loving Newport News, he was intensely interested in its development
and expansion and continued to take an active part in its growth.
His work at the Buxton Hospital was carried on by his son, Dr. Russell
Buxton.
Dr. Russell Von Lehn Buxton
Dr. Russell Von Lehn Buxton (1908-1991) was born
on June 13, 1908 in the Elizabeth Buxton Hospital built by his father
and named for his grandmother.
He was both administrator and surgeon in charge while maintaining
his own large surgical practice, especially during World War II
when both his services and those of the hospital were essential
to the community. The hospital was sold to the Bernadine Sisters
in 1953, and was renamed Mary Immaculate Hospital. After Mary Immaculate
moved to its current Denbigh Boulevard location, Riverside Regional
Medical Center acquired the original hospital facility and it now
serves as the new Riverside Rehabilitation Institute on Chesapeake
Avenue overlooking Hampton Roads in Newport News.
Russell Buxton received many honors throughout his career. He was
a diplomate of the American Board of Surgery, a fellow of the American
College of Surgeons, a member of the American Medical Association
and numerous other surgical and medical societies. He was chairman
of the Committee for Consolidation of the Cities of Newport News,
Warwick and Hampton in 1958 and Consolidation of Warwick and Newport
News in 1959. A member of City Council in 1958, he was instrumental
in founding a private college preparatory school, Hampton Roads
Academy, and was named chairman of the Board of Trustees, and was
an emeritus trustee at his death.
Joseph T. Buxton III
His eldest son Joseph T. Buxton III is the founder
of Joseph T. Buxton III PC, TrustBuilders Elder Law Center.
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