month of October, 1835, in one of Joseph Renville's log cabins,
with dirt roof and no floor; and was the first white child born in
Minnesota, outside of the soldier's families at Fort Snelling. His
father, the Rev. Thomas S. Williamson. M.D., was the first ordained
missionary appointed to labor among the Sioux Indians. He came out to
the new Northwest on an exploring expedition in 1834, visiting the
Indian camps at Wabawsha, Red Wing, Kaposia, and others.

He returned in the spring of 1835, with his family and others who were
appointed.

After the arrival of this missionary party, Dr. Williamson and his
colleagues, lived and labored continuously among the Indians the
remainder of their lives. Their work for the Master has not suffered
any interruption, but is still carried on successfully and vigorously
by their successors.

John P. Williamson grew up in the midst of the Indians. He mastered the
Sioux language in early boyhood. As a lad, he had the present sites of
Minneapolis and St. Paul for his playgrounds and little Indian lads for
his playmates. Among these, was Little Crow, who afterwards became
infamous in his savage warfare, against the defenseless settlers in
western Minnesota, in 1862.

He was early dedicated to the work of the gospel ministry. In his young
manhood he was sent to Ohio, for his education. In 1857, he graduated
at Marietta College, and in 1860, at Lane Seminary, Cincinnati. In 1859
he was licensed by Dakota (Indian) Presbytery, and ordained, by the
same body, in 1861. The degree of D.D. was conferred upon him by
Yankton, (S.D.) college in 1890. He recognized no call to preach the
gospel save to the Sioux Indians, and for forty-six years, he has given
his whole life zealously to this great work. He has thrown his whole
life unreservedly into it. And he has accomplished great things for the
Master and the tribe to which he has ministered.

In 1860 he established a mission and organized a Presbyterian church of
twelve members at Red Wood Agency on the Minnesota. These were both
destroyed in the outbreak two years later. He spent the winter of
1862-3, in evangelistic work, among the Sioux, in the prison-camp at
Fort Snelling, where 1,500 were gathered under military guard. An
intense religious interest sprung up amongst them and continued for
months. Young Dr. Williamson so ministered unto them, that the whole
camp was reached and roused, and the major part of the adults were led
to Christ. Ma