| Repository: | Western Reserve Historical Society |
| Creator: | John, Henry Jerry |
| Title: | Henry Jerry John Photographs |
| Dates: | 1910-1960 |
| Extent: | 0.40 linear feet (1 container) |
| Abstract: | Henry Jerry John (1885-1971) was a Cleveland, Ohio, physician who specialized in diabetes. He was born Jindrich Jeroslav John, In Czechoslovakia, and emigrated to the U.S. ca. 1889. He and his wife founded Camp Ho Mita Koda for diabetic children in 1929. He served in the Army Medical Corps during both world wars. The collection consists of photographs of Dr. John of Cleveland, Ohio; his family, his wood carvings, and of camp Ho Mita Koda for diabetics. Included are portraits of Dr. John in World War I and World War II and a photograph album containing photographs ca. 1930s of Camp Ho Mita Koda in Newbury, Ohio; including campers, camp facilities, and activities. |
| PG Number | PG 119 |
| Location: | closed stacks |
| Language: | The records are in English |
Henry Jerry John was born Jindrich Jeroslav John on March 5, 1885 to Czech parents in the Moravian city of Olomouc. When he was five years old, his parents emigrated to the United States, leaving him in the care of his grandparents. At the age of fourteen, he joined his parents in Oklahoma. His name was Americanized to Henry Jerry John.
In spite of financial difficulties and the fact that he knew little English, Henry John entered the University of Kansas in 1907 to study pharmacy, but changed to pre-med as a sophomore. He graduated in 1911, and a research fellowship enabled him to enroll at the University of Minnesota, where he received his M.A. degree in 1912. While in Kansas, he met Murl Springer, a young man who persuaded John to accompany him to Cleveland, Ohio, to attend the Western Reserve University School of Medicine. In 1916 John received his M.D. degree and began his internship at St. Vincent Charity Hospital in Cleveland.
In 1917, Dr. Henry John, by then a naturalized United States citizen, joined the Army medical Corps. When discharged in 1919, he joined Dr. F. M. Allen in Morristown, New Jersey, who was conducting research on diabetes. While there, John met Dr. John Phillips, one of the founders of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, who asked him to become a member of the medical staff at the Clinic. John accepted the offer and was soon known widely as a specialist in diabetes.
On October 9, 1928, Dr. John married Elizabeth (Betty) Louise Beamon. The following year they donated their summer cabin and land to found Camp Ho Mita Koda ("Welcome Friend" in Sioux), the first non-profit summer camp for diabetic children, which they directed for 20 years.
In addition to his medical career, which included service in both world wars and a private practice established in 1933, Dr. John was known for his literary and artistic talents. He was interested in Czech graphic art and possessed a large collection of it. An interest in Czech literature led to his translation of several works into English. In addition, he was a talented wood carver, making many fine pieces of sculpture and furniture.
Dr. John won many awards and honors for his medical, artistic, and community activities. A few of these include membership in the Western Reserve Medical Association (1927); membership in the Rowfant Club of Cleveland (1937); the Charles Eisenman Award for outstanding work in the community (1937); honorary membership in the Czech Endocrinological Society, Prague (1940); honorary membership in the American Physicians' Art Association (1942), from which he won Art Prizes in 1944 and 1948; honorary membership in the Officers' Club of Lawson General hospital in Atlanta, Georgia (1943); honorary membership in the Czech Medical Society, Prague (1944); president of the Cleveland Diabetes Association (1948); the Cuyahoga Tallyho Award, Cleveland (1950); honorary membership in the Professional Mens' Club, Cleveland (1956); and honorary membership in the Czechoslovak Medical Society. He was also a member of the Manes Art Club in Prague, the Cleveland Art Club, and the New York Art Club.
Dr. Henry J. John died on March 28, 1971.
The Henry Jerry John Photographs, ca. 1910-1960, consist of photographs of Dr. John of Cleveland, Ohio; his family, his wood carvings, and of camp Ho Mita Koda for diabetics. Included are portraits of Dr. John in World War I and World War II and a photograph album containing photographs ca. 1930s of Camp Ho Mita Koda in Newbury, Ohio; including campers, camp facilities, and activities.
The first photograph album contains 37 black and white photographs and measures 8.5 x 11.5 inches. The second photograph album contains 50 black and white photographs and measures 9 x 10.5 inches. The collection also includes approximately 150 loose black and white photographs that measure 8 x 10 inches and smaller.
This collection will be useful to researchers studying the history of medicine in Cleveland and northeast Ohio, particularly the treatment of diabetes in children in the twentieth century.
None.
Related MaterialThe researcher should also consult MS 3621 Henry Jerry John Papers.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
[Container ___, Folder ___ ] PG 119 Henry Jerry John Photographs, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio
These photographs were removed from MS 3621 Henry Jerry John Papers. Gift of Betty John in 1971.
Henry Jerry John Photographs ca. 1910-1960 |
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| Box | Volume | ||||||||||
| 1 | 1 | Album with red cover containing portraits and views, including Henry Jerry John during World War I and World War II; family photographs; and views of Henry Jerry John's wood carvings (also includes newspaper clippings) ca. 1910s-1960 | |||||||||
| 1 | 2 | Album with black cover containing portraits and views of Camp Ho Mita Koda, including group portraits featuring Henry Jerry John, portraits and views of campers and activities, and views of facilities ca. 1930s | |||||||||
| 1 | 1 | Individual portraits of Henry Jerry John dates vary | |||||||||
| 1 | 2 | Group portraits featuring Henry Jerry John dates vary | |||||||||
| 1 | 3 | Portraits and views, Henry Jerry John and family on vacations dates vary | |||||||||
| 1 | 4 | Portraits and views, Camp Ho Mita Koda dates vary | |||||||||
| 1 | 5 | Views, wood carvings by Henry Jerry John dates vary | |||||||||
| 1 | 6 | Unidentified portraits and views dates vary | |||||||||
| 1 | 7 | Portraits of people somehow related to the life of Henry Jerry John dates vary | |||||||||