23 Facts About Johnston Lykins

Johnston Lykins was an American Baptist missionary, pioneer, and politician.

Johnston Lykins was a student and teacher in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Johnston Lykins became involved with the missionary work of Isaac McCoy, among the area's native tribes.

Johnston Lykins joined the McCoy mission to the Wea peoples in northern Indiana in 1819.

Johnston Lykins was not yet a Christian, and was hired only as a schoolteacher.

Johnston Lykins spent more time traveling for supplies and assisting the mission's functions than he did teaching school.

Johnston Lykins applied himself diligently to his calling, and by 1824 could read religious discourses in the Potawatomi language.

In 1829, in preparation for major removal westward, Johnston Lykins traveled to study medicine for one year at the prestigious Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky.

In 1831, Johnston Lykins went with them, founding a mission in Missouri near the Shawnee reservation.

Johnston Lykins soon achieved a reputation as an effective physician in Missouri.

Johnston Lykins was co-author and editor of the Sinwiowe Kesibwi, a small newspaper published entirely in the Shawnee language.

In 1843, Johnston Lykins founded a mission in Potawatomi territory at what later became the west side of Topeka, Kansas.

Johnston Lykins's appointment was opposed by the Jesuits and the Potawatomi allied with them, but was granted in 1844.

Johnston Lykins was an enthusiastic participant in these, and made many enemies.

Johnston Lykins left the Potawatomi mission soon after, returning to the Shawnee mission until 1855, when it was closed.

In 1831, Johnston Lykins had already purchased 16 acres in the initial plat for the town of Kansas, Missouri and cofounded the Town of Kansas Company.

Johnston Lykins's property extended south from the Missouri River to Fifth and Broadway.

Johnston Lykins later expanded his holdings to 12th and Washington on Quality Hill.

Johnston Lykins had no degree, but frontier medical training was often casual.

Johnston Lykins completed the final two months of Gregory's term and was elected to another one-year term.

Johnston Lykins resided in Kansas City until his death on August 15,1876, aged 76.

Johnston Lykins married artist and family friend George Caleb Bingham, and they lived at the original Lykins mansion.

The site of the now demolished Johnston Lykins School is at the northern forefront of Johnston Lykins Square Park.