Dr. James Alba Johnston Collection (Byron)

Collection

Identifier: RHC-RC-181

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Dr. James Alba Johnston Collection documents medical practice and theory from 1875 to1949. Little biographical information on Dr. Johnston is included in the collection. Material related to Dr. Johnston and his practice can be found in Series I: Business and Personal Papers. This material includes some correspondence, certificates appointing him company doctor for several firms, drug inventories, ledgers and cash books, and public health notices. Advertisements for medical products, article reprints, and Dr. Johnston’s handwritten reading notes complete the series. The major part of the collection are sixty-seven volumes found in Series II. These publications’ contents reflect medical theories current during their publication dates (1890-1944). In addition to general medical and reference works, the volumes cover such topics as electrical and vibratory therapy, sexual problems & childhood diseases, vaccine therapy and pharmaceuticals, and various specialities including geriatrics and surgery.

Dates

created: 1875-1949
Other: Date acquired: 05/29/1987

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions on access to the collection.

Conditions Governing Use

Property rights in the collection belong to the Regional History Center; literary rights are dedicated to the public.

Biographical or Historical Information

Dr. James Alba Johnston was born December 31, 1859 on the family farm northwest of Byron, IL. Dr. Johnston attended Wheaton College where he met his future wife, Carrie Nash of Belvidere, IL. After their marriage in Belvidere on December 23, 1886, the couple farmed near Storm Lake Iowa for several years. Dr. Johnston entered medical school at the University of Nebraska where he received his degree in 1894. He practiced medicine in Craig, Nebraska until December 1897 when the couple moved to Byron, IL. Dr. Johnston was past president of the Ogle County Medical Association, past president and clerk of the Byron Public School Board, and active in the Congregational church. Dr. Johnston practiced medicine and was a civic leader in Byron until his death in April 1949.

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