Thomas H. Johnston

JOHNSTON, HAMMOND

Posted By: Clay County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 11/21/2010 at 10:05:12

The name of Dr. Thomas H. Johnston, of Spencer, has long been a household word to the people of Clay county, where he has for many years occupied a leading place in the ranks of the medical profession. He has conscientiously and ably gone about his work in a manner that has won for him the confidence and esteem of all classes. Thomas H. Johnston was born in Drayton, Ontario, Canada, on the 25th of October, 1871, and is a son of Samuel and Ellen Clarke)Johnston, both of whom were natives of the north of Ireland. For a number of years after leaving Canada, they made their home in Spencer, Iowa, but later moved to Seattle, Washington, where they passed away. They were the parents of the following children: Samuel J., deceased; Benjamin C., of Ontario, Canada; Thomas H.; Ethelda, the wife of Walter W. Hammond, of Seattle, Washington; Bertha, the wife of Lambert Thompson, of Seattle; Alice, the wife of T. M. Murray, of Seattle; William Howard, a physician at Muscatine, Iowa; and Mildred, of Seattle, Washington. Dr. Johnston attended the public schools of Canada, including the high school at Elora, Ontario, after which he obtained a teachers' certificate and taught six years in the schools of Ontario.

Then, having determined to devote his life to the healing art, he matriculated in the medical school of Queens University, at Kingston, Ontario, where he was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1900. He immediately came to Iowa, taking the state medical board examination, and on being licensed located at Webb, Iowa, where he practiced his profession six years. In April, 1906 he came to Spencer, Clay county, where he has engaged in practice to the present time. During this period he has been remarkably successful as a physician and has not only built up a large and remunerative practice, but also has attained an enviable place in the hearts of the people among whom he has labored

On April 10, 1900, Doctor Johnston was united in marriage to Miss Della Hammond, who was born and reared in Ontario, and they are the parents of two children, Hammond Clarke and Madeline.

Politically the Doctor gives his support to the republican party and takes a helpful interest in everything affecting the welfare of his community. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and has attained the thirty-second degree of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite. He maintains professional affiliation with the Monona County Medical Society, the Iowa State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He is a genial and friendly gentleman, kind and sympathetic in his attitude towards those under his professional care, and throughout this community has at all times commanded the respect and confidence of the people.

Contributed by: Debbie Clough Gerischer. Source: Northwestern Iowa, Its History and Tradition, Volume III, 1804-1926.