Dr. Joseph F. John

A well known physician and surgeon of Eureka Springs is Dr. Joseph F. John, who was born in Cleveland County, Arkansas, on the 10^th of April, 1875, a son of William Frank and Mary Jane (Chambers) John, both natives of Georgia.

The paternal grandfather, William John, was born in Georgia and came to Cleveland County, this state, in 1855, buying land there, whereon he resided the balance of his life. The maternal grandfather, James Chambers, was likewise a native of Georgia,  who came to Arkansas at an early day. He located in Lincoln County and became a successful planter. A son owns and resided on the place at the present time.

Mr. and Mrs. John were married in Arkansas, the father having come here in 1855 with his parents, locating with them in Cleveland County, and they resided on a farm in that county until death.

To their union six children were born, five of whom are living: James W., a physician and surgeon at Pine Bluff; R. Edgar, now engaged in rice planting at Stuttgart, who was for some time engaged in the practice of dentistry; Dr. J.F., whose name initiates this review; M. Carr, a physician and surgeon at Stuttgart; and Myrtle, who is the wife of Frank Myers, a successful merchant at Stuttgart.

The family was reared in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and fraternally Mr. John was identified with the Masons and the Woodmen. He was very decided on his views of democracy and he was throughout his life an active worker in the interests of the Democratic party. After his preliminary education, Joseph F. John entered the Clary Training School at Fordyce, this state, and he was graduated from that institution in 1899. The following year he enrolled in the University of Arkansas but in 1901 withdrew from that institution and enrolled in the medical department of the University of Nashville.

He received his M.D. degree in 1905 and immediately located in Grady, Arkansas, where he practiced for five years. In 1909 he came to Eureka Springs and has since practiced here, winning for himself a place among the most capable and successful physicians and surgeons of the county.

Since graduation Dr. John has taken postgraduate work in New York and at the Tulane Hospital in New Orleans and he keeps in constant touch with the progressive work that is being done by the most eminent members of the profession, through membership in the State and County medical Societies.

In 1907 occurred the marriage of Dr. John to Miss Lillian Ada Leonard of Petersburg, Tennessee. She received her education in Peabody College at Nashville and at the time of her marriage to Dr. John was engaged in teaching in the schools of Alabama. She is still active in educational work and is now an instructor in the public schools of Eureka Springs. To the union of Dr. and Mrs. John two children have been born: Joada, eight years of age; and Clary, five years of age.

Mrs. John is a consistent member of the Christian church, while her husband is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, South. Fraternally Dr. John is identified with the mason, Knights of Pythias, Woodmen of the world, Modern Woodmen, and Knights and Ladies of Security.

His political allegiance is given to the Democratic party and he is a firm believer in the principles of that party as factors in good government. While heavy demands have been made upon his time and attention in the practice of medicine and surgery, Dr. John has yet found opportunity for cooperation in many public movements whereby the welfare and up building of the city have been promoted.

Submitted by Belinda (Brown) Winston