Charles T. Pepper
Charles Taylor Pepper, M.D. (2 December 1830 – 28 May 1903)[1] was the original inspiration for the Dr Pepper brand, according to the Dr Pepper/Seven Up company. Born in southwest Virginia, he earned his medical degree from the University of Virginia in 1855.
Pepper was a Confederate surgeon during the Civil War, after which he settled down in Rural Retreat, Virginia, where he would meet Wade Morrison, who would later name a soda after Pepper. Although the actual reason behind the name of the soda is attributed to Morrison naming it after Pepper, the actual origin is unknown.[2] Others claim Wade Morrison originally named the soda brand after Dr. Pepper whose daughter he wished to marry; notwithstanding, Morrison married someone else later.