University of Mississippi - Ole Miss Yearbook (Oxford, MS)

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'Dux-HE-RUN DR.APEl!+' , Sxilf DR. J. WV. JOHNSON '.'Xll's well that ends well. ' 7

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Zin affectionate rememhranre of a lopal son of the ldnihersitp, an untiring serhant of all its interests, a oehoteo anh generous frieno to all its stuoents, this volume is oeoirateo to the memorp of Professor Zlohn mesleg Ilnhnson His future and fortune lies in the movements of his lips- RoY MCKAY. 6

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Dr. W. fofmson N ISSUING this chronicle of the Hotsam and jetsam of the year 1911-12, we reverently set apart this page, with a befitting seriousness, for a brief record of the life of him to whom the volume is dedicated. Dr. Jolm VVesley Johnson was born at Richmond, Mississippi, April 5, 1852. His father, T. H. J. Jolmson, enlisted in the Confederate army and served as a faithful soldier until he lost his life in June, 1862. His mother met the responsibilities thus thrown upon her by teaching school. She prepared her son for entrance into the Pontotoc High School, from which school he entered the University of Mississippi in 1872. He spent four consecutive years here as a student, grad- uating with the degree of B.A. in 1876. Immediately after his graduation he was appointed Tutor and Librarian, serving in the capacity of the former until June, 1881. From 1881 to 1886 he was Principal of Johnson Institute at Booneville, Mis- sissippi. From that position he was recalled to the University and appointed Principal of the Preparatory Department. From 1889 to 1899 he was successively Assistant Professor of Mathe- matics and Natural History, Assistant Professor of Psysics and Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy. During this period he was absent from the University on leave for two years H890-92j, pursuing advanced study in Physics in the universi- ties of Goettingen and Leipsic. In 1892 he received his doctor's degree from the latter university. In 1899 he was made Pro- fessor of Physics: and from 1907 he was Professor of Physics and Astronomy. I-Ie died on August 29, 1911, in the city of Vhicago. His body rests in St. Peter's Vemetery in the town of Oxford with others who in former years gave, as did he, their best energies to the service of the University. As has been said by another, t'Dr. Johnson gave his service for others, and, like most men who so labor, he died early in the strugglcf' According to the measure of earthly life he should have been spared for another half-score of active years. Yet it happens that for five years before his death he was older than any other member of the faculty in the term of his labors. Dur- ing the twenty-eight years of his connection with the institution he gave himself devotedly to its welfare. Popular as he was in the class-room, his interest in the students did not end there. Nothing that touched their interests was foreign to his concern. He was patient with sho1'tcomings and assiduous in his efforts where help and encouragement might be most needed. He was charitable, generous and painstaking with those who might have loitered by the way but for the keen personal interest he mani- fested in their success. To those who did not need that special attention he gave an equal degree of care and service, stimulating enthusiasm for the work of his department. Dr. Johnson's interests and influence were not limited by his department, nor yet by the University. He was active in State educational meetings and was widely known and esteemed by the teachers of the State. He was zealous as a worker in the af- fairs of the community, devoted to his church and to its insti- tutions. His large and tender heart was revealed in his love for children. The children of his friends and the waifs on thestreet appealed to him alike. His gentle nature was manifest, too, in his love for music and for Howers. Indeed, to all things that touch the affections of men he was responsive. Gentleness, charity, devotion and loyalty to the institution he so dearly loved-these traits dwell in our memory as we affectionately join his name to the animal of the year 1911-12. Miss Basics When you grow sincere, you weary me. A Y Y ..4---. -. ....