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EDWARD E. WOODSIDE, M. D. The records of Southern Illinois show that the physicians of that locality are fully abreast of modern scientific progress and discovery and that the men belonging to this most important of all the learned professions rank with the foremost in the land. Edward E. Woodsidc, M. D., who is well and favorably known throughout this part of the state, located in Johnston City for the
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practice of medicine upon the completion of his professional work in College. He is not a new man to Williamson county, for he was born near Creal Springs, February 4, 1876, and took his literary work in the schools of that town. His father, the Rev. William Wesley Woodside, is a merchant in Marion and also engaged in the work of the ministry of the Missionary Baptist church as supply pastor, but for a number of years was a minister with a regular charge.
Rev. William Wesley Woodside was born in Johnson county, Illinois, in 1851, was a farmer's son, and was educated in the common schools. His father, Joseph P. Woodside, established the family name in Illinois, and was himself born in Tennessee, where his father, Peter Woodside, was a settler from Ireland. Joseph P. Woodsidc came to Illinois during the `forties, and passed his life as a farmer in Johnson county. He married Dicy Snyder, who has attained the advanced age of ninety years, and is still living at Marion, Illinois. The children of this union were the Rev. William W. and Mrs. L. P. Yandell, of Marion. William Wesley Woodside engaged in professional pursuits when a young man. He studied law at West Plains, Missouri, and was admitted to the bar there, but subsequently gave up the profession and returned to Illinois, where he engaged in public school work as a teacher of the district schools. When about thirty-five years of age he was converted, and soon thereafter he entered the ministry, carrying on religious work in this section of the state for a number of years, as above stated. In years gone by he was known as a factor in Democratic politics, having been chosen as a candidate for county office on several occasions. Rev. Woodside married Anna Kimmel, a daughter of Joseph Kimmel, a native of Germany and a tiller of the soil. The children born to this union were as follows: Dr. Edward E.; Mrs. John Brooks, of White Ash, Illinois; D. E., of Marion; Elsie, who married Charles Jenkins, of Marion; Mrs. Ray Chamness, of White Ash; Mrs. Effie Moss, of Marion; and Ray Ben and Don, still residing at the parental home.
In preparation for a professional career Dr. Woodside attended the State University of Missouri, where he did much of the scientific work necessary for a medical course, and then entered Rush Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1905. He came to Johnston City and entered at once upon his work as a physician, but has returned almost annually for professional work of a post-graduate nature in Chicago institutions, he is a member of the County Medical Society, of the Southern Illinois Medical Association, of the Illinois State Association and of the American Medical Association. As a citizen of Johnston City Dr. Woodside has done service as a member of the council, and acted in that capacity when the movement for extensive sidewalk improvement took form. His politics are those of the Democratic party, and he is at present president of the board of education.
On September 16, 1901, Dr. Woodside was married in Columbia, Missouri, to Miss Anna Cummings, daughter of Jerry Cummings, who was once well known in Metropolis, Illinois. Fraternally Dr. Woodside is a Master Mason and is also connected with the Knights of Pythias, the Elks, the Owls and the Tribe of Ben Hur. He is a Missionary Baptist in belief and practice. Alert of mind, capable in every respect, possessing the entire confidence of his patients and exercising a large degree of influence in public movements in his locality, Dr. Woodside is a forceful figure in the affairs of Johnston City, and is respected not only in his profession but by all with whom he has been associated in any way.