James M. Johnson

As printed in 1882

JAMES M. JOHNSON (deceased) was born in Virginia October 14, 1812, and was eno of two children whose parents, Micajah and Margarot (Parson) Johnson, brought them from Virginia on horseback in 1815. He was raised principally in and about Port William, Liberty Township, Clinton Co., Ohio. His early life was dovotod to milling, enrpontoring and farming. When nineteen years of age, ho became the subject of Divine grace, and soon united with tho Methodist Episcopal Church. He loved the church of his choice for its republican principles. For many years, he was a Class Leader at Port William, and for several years a local minister. To many of the annual conferences of Ohio he was a delegate, and served on most of their important committees; was also a number of times a member of the General Conference. His religion controlled his daily walk; ho was a man of decision of character, sterling integrity and upright in principle. During his lifo, ho hold many offices bestowed upon him by the people, which he impartially and ably filled. In 1865, he was elected Sheriff of his county, and for his promptness and efficiency was acknowledged to have, had few superior. He was a noble worker in all causes having for their effect the good of humanity. His marriage with Polly Johnson was celebrated March 31, 1833. They were the parents of seven children, three of whom still survive. His death occurred October 4, 1881, after a long and useful life, in Clinton County. Polly is a daughter of John Johnson (deceased), (no relation to J. M. who was born in Virginia 1777, where he matured and married. He was a man of limited means, and labored for his livelihood. This class of people could obtain nothing but oversee tho slaves, and that he did not like. For this reason, he came North, and settled in tho present limits of Liberty Township, Clinton County, Ohio. Early in the present century (about 1807), he entered the land now owned by Silas Matthews. He, wife and three children settled in the deep, unbroken forest, where nothing but the wilds of nature abounded. Their first winter was spent in what is now commonly called a sugar camp tent, warmed by a large log fire in front. He took his farm to a good state of cultivation by the assistance of his noble family, which consisted of clover children, of whom four still survive. Ho was a man of noble character, rugged constitution, and withstood the pioneer privations with great fortitude.

*!1i - f J-H- I. M. JOHNSON, farmer, P. 0. Port William. IIo is a son of John II. Johnson, whose birth occurred in New Jersey five days prior to the celebration of our nation’s freedom. He grew to majority in his native State. About the year 1800, he with, his parents settled in the present limits of Cincinnati, Ohio. On June 7, 1810, he married Christina Curie, who is supposed to have been a native of Virginia, born October 18, 1791. They settled in Union Township, Clinton County, Ohio, in the year 1812, and ever after remained a resident of the county, but, about 1830, purchased the farm now owned by our subject. John H. was one of the early pioneers of Clinton County, and endured the hardships as such; he was a patriot in the Indian war of 1812. He was a man of strong and portly frame, robust constitution, and able to bear all the duties that devolved upon him. The marks of those pioneers’ hand and ax should to-day be regarded as monuments to their lives. His death occurred August 7, 1853, and his wife, too, followed December 22, 1850. Thus ended the earthly career of two noble pioneers of Clinton, the mother county of Isaiah, eno of eleven children, of whom five are now living, and who was born February 28, 1824, in Union Township. He was raised on his father’s farm, but subsequently learned carpentering, to which his time has since been largely given, though living almost entirely on a farm. In early life, his school privileges were very much limited. In the year 1857, ho married Miss Deborah Ferguson, who was born in Greene County, Ohio, in 1838. They are the parents of six children. The political affiliations of Mr. Johnson have ever been with the Whig and Republican parties, which have intrusted to his honor the office of Township Trustee several terms, which duties he has faithfully and impartially discharged. Ho is a man of large stature, and has possessed fair health, but time and hard labor have silvered his hair and left their mark upon his frame. His grandfather, Cornelius Johnson, was a patriot in the war which resulted in our free and independent government.

As printed in The history of Clinton County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, cities, towns, etc.; general and local statistics; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; history of the (1882). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.