Johnson W. Pettijohn, M. D., a pioneer Jackson county physician is a native of Ohio. He was born at Sardenia, Brown county, Ohio, October 27, 1833, and is a son of William B. and Elizabeth (Johnson) Pettijohn, natives of Virginia. The father was a pioneer of Ohio, and followed farming in that State until his death. He was an old time Whig and one of the early Abolitionists of Ohio. He was born in 1807, and died in 1860. Dr. Pettijohn spent his boyhood days on a farm and attended the public schools of Brown county, Ohio, and after receiving a good preparatory education, he entered the medical department of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich., where he began the study of medicine, but finished his course at the Georgetown Medical College, Georgetown, D. C., where he was graduated in the class of 1864, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Shortly after graduating he was appointed assistant surgeon in the United States Army, and later qualified before the examining board, and was assigned to duty in the Nineteenth Regiment, United States infantry. On account of an attack of rheumatism, he resigned, and entered the hospital service, and was assigned to Arlington Hospital. He spent about two and one-half years in the service, resigning in the fall of 1865, but was not relieved until the spring of 1866. He then located at Lynchburg, Ohio, where he was engaged in the practice of his profession eleven years. In 1879, he came to Kansas, locating on a farm in Jackson county, where he followed farming and stock raising, and at the same time continuing the practice of his profession. He was the first physician of the new town of Hoyt, and continued the practice there with unqualified success until 1911, when he retired. He and his son, William R., have operated the farm in partnership since the boy finished school. They have been extensive stock raisers, making a specialty of Herefords for a number of years. They also raise a large number of hogs for the market. Their farm is located two and one-half miles west of Hoyt, and is one of the model farms of Jackson county. Dr. Pettijohn is a Republican and has taken an active interest in politics. He served one term in the State legislature, but decided some years ago that a political career was not to his liking, and he has refused to accept political office in recent years. He was married in 1860 to Miss Francis E., daughter of John and Rebecca (Stone) Ridings, natives of Virginia, where Mrs. Pettijohn was also born. The family removed from Virginia to Hillsboro, Ohio, where the father worked at his trade, which was that of a machinist. He built the first threshing machine which was manufactured in the West. He was also engaged in the mercantile business. Mrs. Pettijohn was educated in the public schools of Ohio and the Hillsboro Female College. To Dr. and Mrs. Pettijohn, was born one child, William R., a sketch of whom follows. The wife and mother departed this life in 1906. She was a noble type of American womanhood and lived a consistent Christian life. Dr. Pettijohn has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for over forty years and is a Royal Arch Mason. He is a member of the County, State, and American Medical Associations, and holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a trustee.