JOHNSON, Dr. Abijah, b 1837; 1905 Bio, Chaffee County, Colorado http://files.usgwarchives.net/co/chaffee/bios/johnsona.txt --------------------------------------- Donated September 6, 2001 Transcribed by Judy Crook from the book: Progressive Men of Western Colorado Published 1905, A.W. Bowen & Co., Chicago, Ill. --------------------------------------- Dr. Abijah Johnson Among the most useful and important callings in life is that of the country physician, and in proportion to its usefulness it is exacting and trying to him who follows it. The Doctor is an essential visitor to every household at times, and a reassurance and suggestion of safety at all except when extremities are at hand. If he be cheerful by nature and knows his patient as he does his profession, he carries about with him an air of encouragement and hope which is in many cases half the battle for life. Who can tell to how many he is health in sickness, solace in sorrow, hope in gloom and even consolation in death! And it is seldom that his services are unappreciated, however meagerly they may be rewarded, for in all parts of our country the local physician is among the most popular and generally well esteemed of all citizens. To this class belongs Dr. Abijah Johnson, of Montrose, who was highly endowed by nature for his profession, and has multiplied his capacity by judicious study, observation and the cultivation of an inspiring and reassuring presence. He was born in 1837, in Wayne county, Indiana, the son of Charles and Nancy (Beeson) Johnson. His father was born in North Carolina, and removed to Indiana with his parents when he was young. There he grew to manhood and remained many years engaged in farming, removing toward the end of his life to Iowa and dying there in 1872, at the age of seventy-five. He was a Quaker in religious affiliation. His wife was a native of Ohio and accompanied her parents to Indiana in early life. There she was married and there in 1849 she died, leaving eight children, all of whom are living, the Doctor being the fifth in order of birth. He was reared in his native county, and educated at its public schools, finishing at the high school, after which he became a teacher and followed that vocation for a number of years. He then entered the medical department of Ann Arbor University, and after a course of instruction at that institution, matriculated at the Brooklyn (New York) Medical College in 1863, being graduated in due time. He began practicing at Fairview, Indiana, remaining two years, then located at Earlham, Iowa, and during the next ten years was actively engaged in a lucrative practice at that place. From there he came to Colorado, settling at Castle Rock in 1880, and five years later removing to Montrose, where he has since resided and conducted a busy and expanding practice, rising to eminence in his profession in this part of the state and becoming a forceful factor in its public life. He is a Republican in politics and has served as chairman of the county central committee and a member of the state central committee of his party, rendering good service and giving material aid in campaigns. He belongs to the Masonic order through lodge, chapter and commandery, and for twenty-five years or more has been prominent in school affairs wherever he has lived, during the last fifteen being a leading member of the local board of education at Montrose. He is also a valued member of the library association. On the last day of the year 1863 he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah A. Street, a native of Maryland, daughter of Jacob and Celia (Wright) Street, of that state. Three children have blessed their union, Britomarte, who is the wife of Olin Spencer; Carl, who is a physician and now vice-consul of the United States in China; and Ross, who is manager of the Trading and Transfer Company of Cripple Creek. Dr. Johnson was the efficient president of the Western Slope Fair Association for several years. =================================================== Contributed for use by the USGenWeb Archive Project (http://www.usgenweb.org) and by the COGenWeb Archive Project USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access.