Johnson, William Parker (1824-1889)

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1824 - 1889

Biographical note

Born in 1824 in Athens county, Ohio to a prosperous farming family, William Parker Johnson studied medicine as a young man under William Blackstone. Johnson married Blackstone's daughter Julia in 1847 and together they had a daughter named Adela in 1848. Johnson enlisted as a surgeon with the 18th Ohio Volunteer Infantry at the start of the Civil War and served until 1864. Five of his seven children with Julia died before reaching adulthood. He had at least two more children after returning from war: Alberta and Louis. During this time, he also served as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives. In 1870, he moved to Indianapolis with Julia, Adela, Alberta, and Louis. Julia died in 1872. Johnson died 17 years later in 1889.

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

William Parker Johnson Letters

 Collection
Identifier: MSS-0173
Abstract

Letters and photographs of Johnson and his family. He was a doctor and surgeon with the 18th Ohio Volunteer Infantry and many letters report conditions of camp, battles, and treating wounded soldiers.

Dates:1861-1864
Found in: Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections