In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
From Past and present of Randolph County, Indiana : with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the old families (1914)
JOHN I. JOHNSON.
The name of John I. Johnson, of Winchester, is one of the best known in Randolph county, for here his life of fifty-six years has been spent and he has long been prominent in public affairs. In his earlier life he followed blacksmithing, but eventually turned his attention to politics and served in the county offices in a manner that has ever since made him a well-liked citizen. As vice-president and one of the promoters of the Peoples Loan and Trust Company, he has shown himself to be one of our leading business men. He has ever had the good of his locality at heart and has done much to promote its general upbuilding.
Mr. Johnson was born December 23, 1857 in Buena Vista, Randolph county. He is a son of Joshua M. and Amanda C. (Pegg) Johnson, both natives of this county also, and representatives of old pioneer families, the Johnsons coming from North Carolina.
Joshua M. Johnson was born September 13, 1831. He was a son of John and Phebe Johnson. At the age of sixteen years he began life for himself, by going to Williamsburg, Indiana, and beginning the blacksmith's
As printed in Past and present of Randolph County, Indiana : with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the old families (1914). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Their biographies name John I. Johnson: Jonathan G. Johnson (b. 1898)
The printed record stops around 1914. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.