Ernest D. Williams

ERNEST D. WILLIAMS, M. D. - During the years which mark the period of Dr. Williams' professional career he has met with gratifying success and during the period of his residence in Kansas City, Kansas, he has won the good will and patronage of many of the best citizens here. He is a thorough student and endeavors to keep abreast of the times in everything relating to the discoveries in medical science. Progressive in his ideas and favoring modern methods as a whole, he does not dispense with the time tried systems whose value has stood the test of years. There is in his record much that is worthy of the highest commendation, for limited privileges and financial resources made it necessary that he personally meet the expenses of a college course. In doing this he displayed the elemental strength of his character, which has been the foundation of his success. He now stands very high in the medical profession of the state and is in the fullest sense of the term a self-made man.

Dr. Williams was born in Riley county, Kansas, on the 28th of August, 1870, and he is a son of Johnson S. and Ruth (White) Williams, the former of whom was born and reared in Henry county, Kentucky. Johnson S. Williams came to Kansas in the year 1854, locating as a pioneer settler in Riley county, where he immediately turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. He is still identified with farming in Riley county and his splendid estate is recognized as one of the most modern farms in that section of the state. Concerning the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Johnson S. Williams the following brief data are here incorporated: Ernest D., is the immediate subject of this review; Edith, is the wife of Charles Bailey; Emmett, remains at home with his father on the old farmstead in Riley county; Charles and Walter are twins, the former residing in Riley county and the latter at Douglas, Kansas; and Katherine, is living at Council Grove, Kansas.

After completing the curriculum of the common schools of Riley county, Dr. Williams attended Baker's University for a period of two years, at the expiration of which he was a student for a short time in the Kansas State Agricultural College. He then engaged in teaching school continuing to be identified with the pedagogic profession for a period of five years, during which time he earned enough money with which to defray his expenses as a medical student. In 1896 he was matriculated in the medical department of the University of Kansas, at Rosedale, in which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1899, duly receiving his degree of Doctor of Medicine. He initiated the active practice of his profession at Kansas City, Kansas, in May, 1899, and since that time has controlled a large and lucrative patronage in this city. In connection with his life work he is a valued and appreciative member of the Wyandotte County Medical Society and the Kansas State Medical Society. He is medical examiner for a number of fraternal organizations in this state and holds prestige as one of the best and most skilled physicians and surgeons in this county.

In the year 1901 was solemnized the marriage of Dr. Williams to Miss Lillian St. John, who was born and reared in Riley county, Kansas, and who is a daughter of Ephraim and Alice (Mallory) St. John, of Manhattan, Riley county, Kansas. Mr. St. John is now living virtually retired, enjoying to the full the fruits of his former years of earnest toil and endeavor. Dr. and Mrs. Williams have one daughter, Esther.

In politics Dr. Williams accords an uncompromising allegiance to the cause of the Republican party, believing that the principles of that organization stand for the best standard of government. While he is decidedly loyal and public spirited in his civic attitude the only office for which he has ever had time or desire is that of member of the Kansas City, Kansas, school board, to which he was first elected in 1905 and to which he was re-elected in 1908. In their religious faith he and his wife are consistent members of the Presbyterian church, to whose charities and benevolences he is a liberal contributor. In a fraternal way he is affiliated with the local lodges of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, in each of which he is a most prominent and zealous factor.