Dr. James Alba Johnston Collection (Byron), 1875-1949 | Northern Illinois University

Printer-friendly |

Collection Overview

Title: Dr. James Alba Johnston Collection (Byron), 1875-1949

ID: RHC/RC/181

Extent: 5.75 Linear Feet

Date Acquired: 05/29/1987

Subjects: Byron (Ill.), Johnston, Dr. James Alba, Medical care

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

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.

Collection Historical Note

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.

Subject/Index Terms

Byron (Ill.)
Johnston, Dr. James Alba
Medical care

Administrative Information

Repository: Northern Illinois University

Access Restrictions: There are no restrictions on access to the collection.

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

Acquisition Source: Mrs. Robert (Cleo) Boger

Acquisition Method: Mrs. Robert (Cleo) Boger donated the Dr. James Alba Johnston Collection to the Northern Illinois Regional History Center on May 29, 1987.

Separated Materials: A list of Dr. Johnston’s medical instruments which have been separated out of the collection is at the back of this inventory.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series I.: Business and Personal Papers],
[Series II.: Volumes],
[Oversize UA 11: EDWARD C. PAGE MUSEUM COLLECTION (UA 11)],
[All]

Series I.: Business and Personal Papers

Box 1

Folder 1: Biographical; Certificates and Correspondence, 1936, 1949, 1894-1896, 1937-1939
Folder 2: Orders and Inventories for Opium, etc., 1931-1947
Folder 3: Public Health Notices and Legislation, 1937-1941
Folder 4: Cash Book - Dodge & Oakland, Nebraska, 1875, 1889, 1894-1897
Folder 5-6: Ledger - Dodge, Nebraska, 1889-1890
Folder 7: Expenses, 1941-1948

Box 2

Folder 1: Advertisements: Allergies & Skin Problems, 1906, 1934
Folder 2: Advertisements: Cancer, Arthritis, & High Blood Pressure, 1937-1938
Folder 3: Advertisements: Gastro-Intestinal Problems, 1927-1936
Folder 4: Advertisements: Nutrition, no date
Folder 5: Advertisements: Pharmaceutical Products, 1915, 1937
Folder 6: Advertisements: Venereal Disease & Sexual Problems, 1937
Folder 7: Advertisements: Vitamin & Mineral Products, 1934-1939
Folder 8: Reprints, Clippings & Circulars, 1900-1938
Folder 9: Handwritten Notes, no date

Browse by Series:

[Series I.: Business and Personal Papers],
[Series II.: Volumes],
[Oversize UA 11: EDWARD C. PAGE MUSEUM COLLECTION (UA 11)],
[All]