William Warfield was born in Montgomery County, Maryland, and worked as a bell boy in Washington, D.C., until 1886. He graduated from Morgan College in 1891 and earned his M.D. from Howard University in 1894. He pursued his medical career at Freedman’s Hospital. He began there as an intern and over time was made second assistant surgeon, then first assistant, and finally, in 1901, chief surgeon.

Source:
Who’s Who in Colored America . Ed. Thomas Yenser. 5 th ed. Thomas Yenser: New York, 1940. pg. 541.