Johnson, Dr. John Kendall, Sr. (1875-1945)

JOHNSON, BRANDON

Posted By: Deb Van Sant (email)
Date: 11/30/2008 at 20:39:57

Rites Monday for Dr. J.K. Johnson Sr.

Died May 5 in Des Moines

Prominent Jefferson Osteopathic Physician for 47 Years; Active in Civic Affairs

Death came early Saturday, May 5, to Dr John Kendall Johnson Sr, 70, at Des Moines General hospital, where he had been four days. Dr Johnson, the first osteopathic physician in Greene county and a practitioner here 47 years, had been active in many community activities.

He was born Feb 25, 1875 at Kirksville, Mo, the son of John B and Mary Ann Johnson. He was educated in the public schools there and was graduated as a doctor of osteopathy from the American School of Osteopathy at Kirksville in 1898.

He came to Jefferson in that year and has been practicing here since. He and Edith May Belle Brandon were married Nov 9, 1901, at Boone. Their son, John, who is a practicing osteopathic physician with his father, is his only survivor.

"Doc" Johnson became a member of the Methodist church at Kirksville in boyhood. In Jefferson he was a member of Morning Star lodge, AF and AM, Keystone chapter, RAM and the Lions club; he was a member of the district and national osteopathic societies and past president of the Iowa Society of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons.

He served as a member of the board of education for nine years, was a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and was chairman of the Greene county Republican committee for ten years.

The funeral services were at 2pm Monday, May 7, at Slininger's funeral home, with the Rev. Levi P Goodwin of the Methodist church in charge. The rites were brief and were in charge of the Masonic lodge. Serving as pallbearers were EL Wilson, WA McDonald, BS McCully, G William Dunlop, AD Brandt and Harry Richardson. Burial was in the Jefferson cemetery.

Mrs Johnson preceded her husband in death May 13, 1939.

From: The Jefferson Bee, Tuesday, May 8, 1945