John Estle Johnson

As printed in 1902

JOHN ESTLE JOHNSON.

John Estle Johnson is engaged in general farming and stock raising in Green township, and is well known in his community as a breeder of polled Jersey cattle, having originally introduced this fine breed of cattle into Green township. He was born in the village of Clifton, Greene county, Ohio, April 1, 1845, and is a son of Joseph R. and Lydia E. (Estle) Johnson. Joseph R. Johnson was a native of Mason county, Kentucky, having been born near Maysville, March 8, 1819. He was a son of James and Clemency (Donovan) Johnson, both of whom were natives of Virginia and had removed to Kentucky after their marriage, and in the Blue Grass state their son Joseph R. was born. When he was seven years old, his parents removed to Greene county, Ohio, in 1826, settling on the farm now owned by Later they removed to the Gerhard, days.

Charles Birch.

Sebastian farm now owned by where they their remaining James Johnson died December 1, 1830, while his wife, Clemency (Donovan) Johnson, died December 3, 1837.

Joseph R. Johnson was the oldest of the spent children at home at the time of the death af the father. He was then about thirteen years old, but at this early age he became manager of the farm and assisted his mother until she too passed away, seven years later. He then began to work in the mills of Clifton, learning the business and remaining there for twenty-three years. While thus engaged he was married, January 6, 1842, to Lydia E. Estle, who was born in Green township, Clark county, January 30, 1822, and was a daughter of William and Abigail (Little) Estle. By this marriage there were the following children: Clemency married Michael Madden and resides in Kenton, Hardin county, with her husband and two children, Elizabeth and Lulu. The subject of this review is the next in order of birth. Abigail died at the age of eighteen years. Asahel married Lavinia Garlough, resides at Pennington Gap, Virginia, and has six children—M myrtle; Pearl, who married Dr. Graham: Lydia C.; Catherine; Ulalie and Earl. Hannah M., the next member of the family, married Cicero Jacobs and lives at Yellow Springs, Ohio. She is the mother of six children—James, Elmer, Maude, Pearl, Charles and Homer. Ann Maria married Harvey Scranton, and lives in Columbus, Georgia. They have one child, Ethel. Margaret J. married William Forbes and resides in Miami township, Greene county. Three children were born of this union—Nora, Arthur and Curtis.

Jcseph R. Johnson, the father of the subject of this review, in 1860 purchased the farm called the Clark County farm, comprising three hundred and thirty-three acres. Upon this farm he removed in 1861 and later added one hundred acres to his purchase, building thereon a substantial brick residence. There he made his home until he sold the property to John H. Thomas. He then removed to Springfield, Ohio; which was his place of residence until the time of his death, November 6, 1892. His ballot was cast for the Republican party, but he never sought or desired office. He was an earnest Christian man, a member of the First Presbyterian church of Springfield, and was serving as one of its deacons at the time of his death. His wife had passed away twelve years before, her death occurring February 29, 1880. He had been a self-reliant man, who through honesty, industry and economy had made his way in the world. He was faithful in all relations of life and attentive to business. In three years’ time while working in the mills in Clifton, he was absent from his place of. business but a day and a half, and then only upon being called away to Springfield on business. He was truly a self-made man, as he had neither influence or money when he started out upon life’s journey, but it soon became evident that he was one whom obstacles merely served as a whetstone upon which his ambition was kept brightened, and difficulties in his path were brushed aside with ease.

John Estle Johnson of this review was rather delicate in his youth. He worked in the mill somewhat, assisting his father, and had a liking for the miller’s trade, but his family dissuaded him from pursuing: it, as it was thought the dust of the mills would be very detrimental to his health. His schooling also was limited to some extent, owing to his health, and when not attending school he was sent to the home of his grandfather: Estle, where it was thought he would gain strength. He did not attend school’ much alter the age of fifteen. On the 15th of February, 1864, he responded to his country’s

¿call for aid, and at the age of nineteen enlisted in Company F, Eighth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry and was sent for service in Virginia. He was under fire many times. On his first experience in the skirmish line a shell burst very close to him, in front. He was on the skirmish line in the Lynchburg raid, was captured at Beverly, West Virginia, but was soon recaptured. He was later captured again at Beverly, in January, 1863, and was sent to Libby prison, marching over the mountains from Beverly. He was incarcerated in prison until the latter part of February of that year, when he was paroled and sent to Columbus and thence he went home. Later he returned and served with his regiment until he was honorably discharged, July 30, 1865. At the close of the war he returned to his home, where he remained, working on the farm.

On the 26th of November, 1867, he brought his bride to the home farm in Green township, where he now resides. The lady of his choice was Miss Sarah J. Weller, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Wyant) Weller. Since his marriage Mr. Johnson has carried on agricultural pursuits, cultivating his fields and raising a fine grade of stock. His collection of polled Jersey cattle is among the finest in the state. In 1885 he bought a heifer from a thoroughbred Jersey male and a native “mules” cow, or hornless cow, and from this crossing of breeds produced the polled Jersey stock. There has been an association formed for the: breeding of this class of poll led Jersey cattle, for they are considered very valuable. One Jersey cow from Mr. Johnson's breeding took the premium at the Pan-American exposition for richness of butter. She is owned by a brother-in-law of Mr. Johnson, while Mr. Johnson has in his possession her mother and sister? The breeding of fine stock has ever been an interesting subject to Mr. Johnson and he is well versed in matters pertaining to the same. The cattle from this breeding are in great demand and Mr. Johnson derives a good income from the sale of the same.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Johnson has been blessed with five children: Samuel

IW born on the home farm August 20,

1868, for his first wife those Alice Budd, by whom he had four children. His second marriage was with Araminta Sproull, and they now reside in Mansfield, Illinois. Gertrude E., born July 8, 1870, married John Budd, resides at New Albany, Indiana, and has one child. John O., born June 6, 1873, is now cashier for the Northern Pacific Railroad at Whitehall, Montana. He was married November 5, 1902, to Tillie J. Needham, of that place. Joseph R., born May 30, 1875, and Jennie A., born "April 17, 1883, are both at home with their parents.

Mr. Johnson has always been a stanch Republican. He cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1864, when nineteen years old. In 1887 he removed with his family to. Van Wert county, residing in Elgin. There he remained for five years. While living there he was postmaster for one and one-half years, but resigned his position. In 1900 he took the census in Green township, Clark county. He has always worked for his party and its interests, and has served as a delegate to a number of conventions. A member of the Presbyterian church at Clifton, he earnestly upholds its teachings and principles. Fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Springfield Lodge, No. 33, F. € A. M., at Yellow Springs; and also became a member of Mitchell Post at Springfield.. He was a charter member of James A. Elder Post, G.

As printed in A Biographical Record of Clark County Ohio (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.