Wayne County

Dr. William M. Johnson

1884 Biographical Sketches of Indian Prairie Twp

DR. WILLIAM M. JOHNSON, physician, Johnsonville, was born in Gallatin County, Tenn., June 29, 1829, and is the son of W. B. and Matilda (Ormand) Johnson, both natives of North Carolina, but had become residents of Tennessee previous to marriage. In 1831, they emigrated to Jefferson County, Ill., and it was there both died about 1860. They were the parents of seven children, six of whom yet survive.

Our subject was reared on his father's farm, and received his common school education in the schools of Jefferson County.  After having mastered the common branches, he began teachng school, and continued teaching winters and farming during the summer till 1854, when he commenced the study of medicine under the instructions of Dr. J. Frost, of Jefferson County. He remained with Dr. Frost for one year, and then attended two courses of lectures at the American Medical College, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and has since followed the allopathic school of practice. During his first vacation from medical school, he began practicing medicine in Jefferson County, and after completing his course continued practice at the same location till 1861, when he came to Johnsonville, and where he has ever since had a large practice, at one time having as high as 200 patients under his care, and has booked as high as $1,800 in one month's practice. The Doctor's practice has been very general, and has extended over a broad scope of territory, and in his profession he has ever been very successful.

March 26, 1857, he was married in Wayne County to Miss Mary A. Galbraith, daughter of Wiley and Elizabeth (Harney) Galbraith. Dr. and Mrs. Johnson have eight children ---

  1. Theodore A.
  2. Laura L.
  3. Halleck,
  4. James J.
  5. Idella F.
  6. Charles E.
  7. Lillie B.
  8. Katie O

The Doctor is a member of Blue Lodge, A.F. and A.M., of Johnsonville, and has represented it in the Grand Lodge of the State. He is also a member of the Flora Chapter and the Commandery at Olney, and of the Mt. Vernon Lodge, I.O.O.F.  He is a member of the Wayne County Medical Society, and was its first President; also a member of the Centennial Medical Society of Southern Illinois and of the State Medical Society.

He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.In political matters, he is associated with the Republican party.



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