Johnson C Smith University - Golden Bull Yearbook (Charlotte, NC)

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Dr. William F. Johnson. President of the Institution from 1886 to 1891, was born in Cadiz, Ohio, March 16, 1838. He was graduated from Jefferson College in 1854 and from Western Theological Semi- nary in 1860. He was licensed and ordained to preach in 1860 and became a missionary to Allahabad, India in 1861. Dr. Johnson resigned the presidency of the Institution in 1891, returned to India, and .served continuously until his retirement on December 4, 1922. Dr. Johnson died in Landour, India, June 29. 1926. Blacksmith shop was located After fourteen years (1870-1884) as President, Reverend Mattoon resigned to accept the newly es- tablished Chair of Theology and Church History. He was succeeded as President by Reverend William A. Holliday who remained for only a year. Reverend Mattoon was recalled to serve as President for an- other year (1885-1886). Reverend W. F. John.son was elected President in 1886.

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iHK Old Colored Presbyterian Church (Now Seventh Street Presbyterian Church) reconstructed on the site of the original The Audience Chamber of this church was the first class room of the institution. After the school located permanently on the outskirts of town, now Beatties Ford Road, the students walked across town to attend Sunday School, prayer meetings, and church services at this church until a campus church was erected in the early twenties.

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The first Negro to become a member of the faculty of the Institu- tion was Dr. George E. Davis, who was born in Wilmington, North Carolina, March 24, 1863 and died in Greensboro, North Carolina, January 11, 1959. He graduated from the Institution in 1883 with the highest honors and was offered a position upon graduation. But the young man had set his heart on being a physician and entered the school of medicine at Howard University. After two years of study at Howard he heeded the urgent request of the Institution and returned as a teacher. In 1885 he became professor of mathematics. He was also secretary and dean of the college of liberal arts. The George E. Davis Science Hall on the campus is a monument to his memory. Dr. George E. Davis on the present site of Berry Hall Two significant steps were taken under the John- son administration. First, Mr. George E. Davis was appointed Professor of Natural Science and thus be- came the first Negro member of the faculty. Second, an Industrial Department was added to the curricu- lum which was later discontinued.