10082. Dr. Joseph P. Widney, 1841-1938 biography

Dr. Joseph P. Widney 1841 - 1938 Dr. Joseph P. Widney was an accomplished surgeon, topographer, clergyman, scholar-educator and author. He was born at Piqua, Ohio on December 26th, 1841. During the Civil War he served as a Medical Corpsman for the Ohio Volunteer Infantry, receiving a early medical discharge before migrating to California in 1862. He earned the degree of Doctor of Medicine at Toland Medical College in San Francisco in 1866 before re- enlisting in the Army as a Military Surgeon in 1867. On February 14th, 1867 Dr. Widney marched from Drum Barracks, California accompanying recruits of Co. "I" 14th U.S. Infantry, commanded by I st Lieutenant Samuel McConihe, to La Paz, A. T. Arriving in March they established a temporary military camp about two miles below La Paz, along the east bank of the Colorado River. From here Dr. Widney treated patients from La Paz as well as Native Americans living in and around the immediate vicinity of La Paz. - Establishing Camp McPherson, A.T. (Camp Date Creek) - Abandoning their camp on the Colorado River in early May of 1867, Dr. Widney and the 14th Infantry marched some 140 miles northeast arriving at the new military post of Camp McPherson, A. T. (Camp Date Creek) on May 19th, 1867. Here Co. "I" joined Co. "H" 14th U.S. Infantry, commanded by 1st Lieutenant James Weir, who established the post May 11th, 1867 on the south bank of Date Creek. While helping to establish Camp McPherson Dr. Widney not only served as Post Surgeon, but joined many scouting expeditions in the surrounding territory. Surgeon Joseph Widney relocated to Apache Pass, A.T. (Camp Bowie) in July of 1867 serving as post surgeon while helping to construct the post hospital. Dr. Joseph Widney died at his home in Highland Park, Los Angeles, California on July 4th, 1938. He is buried in the Evergreen Cemetery at Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, California.