From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (main entry)
Melton, Manson Arthur, Sr.
(born: September 13, 1882 - died: February 1, 1952)Manson A. Melton, Sr. is a forgotten African American dentist who practiced in Hopkinsville, KY. Born in 1882 in Sumter, SC, he was a 1903 graduate of the HBCU Biddle University (now Johnson C. Smith University) in Charlotte, NC [sources: Manson's WWII Draft Registration card in Ancestry and the 35th Annual Session of Biddle University 1903-1904].
Dr. Melton had practiced dentistry in Hopkinsville since he arrived there in 1912. His office was located at 518 N. Liberty [source: p. 198 in Caron's Directory of the City of Hopkinsville for 1912-13-14]. He was the first, or one of the first, African American dentists in Hopkinsville, practicing long before Dr. John Henry Young. Dr. Melton was one of the earliest college-trained African American dentists in Kentucky. He died at Brooks Memorial Hospital on February 1, 1952 and is buried in Cave Springs Cemetery in Hopkinsville.
Dr. Melton had been in Hopkinsville for 40 years, according to his Kentucky Death Certificate, file no. 116 52 1992, Registrar's no. 84 [source: Ancestry]. Prior to his death and while a hospital patient, Dr. Melton was attended to by Dr. Phillip C. Brooks.
Dr. Melton and his wife Julia R. Ferguson were the parents of Sarah J. Melton, who became the wife of Garland H. Brooks, Sr. and the sister-in-law of Dr. Phillip C. Brooks.