Benjamin Johnson

JOHNSON, SHANER, YOUNG, SMITH, POTTER, HOUGH, MACY, JESSUP, THOMAS, GREEN, WARN

Posted By: Jeffrey R. Phillips (email)
Date: 6/26/2003 at 07:33:18

!BIOGRAPHY Past and Present of Hardin County, Iowa ed. by William J. Moir. Indianapolis: B. F. Bowen, 1911., page 794
A man of sterling qualities and commendable habits was Benjamin Johnson, now sleeping the sleep of the just, but whose influence for good still lives in the large circle of friends and acquaintenances whom he came into contact with, for he believed in assisting others while laboring for his own advancement and in furthering any worthy public enterprise.

Mr. Johnson was one of the pioneers of northern Hardin county and he was born in New Jersey, the oldest son of Hugh Johnson, who came to this country at the same time as Benjamin Johnson in 1856. Hugh Johnson was born in New Jersey and was the son of Hugh and Mary (Potter) Johnson. He grew up in New Jersey and there married Ann Potter, who was, however, no relation to his mother, although both of the same name. Hugh Johnson and wife located in Wayne county, Indiana, while that country was new and being settled. There his
wife died, leaving three children, namely: Benjamin, of this review; James and Mary. Hugh Johnson then married Caroline Hough, which union resulted in the birth of six children, George, John, Millard, Winfield, Lucinda and Flora.

Hugh Johnson came to Hardin county, Iowa, in an early day and located about three miles east of Iowa Falls, where he bought a farm and made his home the rest of his life. His wife died here and he was again married on August 30, 1860, to Ann H. Macy, who was born on July 11, 1831, near Carthage, Rush county, Indiana, and was reared there, being the daughter of Henry H. and Peninah (Jessup) Macy, the father a native of North Carolina, while the mother was born and reared in Indiana. Three sons were born to Mr. Johnson and wife, Arcasto, Morton and Salmon.

Mr. Johnson lived on his farm until his death, which occurred about 1902, and Mrs. Johnson remained on the home place here until 1910 and is now living in Iowa Falls, having attained the advanced age of eighty years.

Benjamin Johnson grew to maturity in Wayne county, Indiana, and was there married to Hannah E. Thomas,
daughter of Andrew and Cynthia (Green) Thomas. She was born and reared in Wayne county, Indiana, grew up on a farm and lived there until her marriage to Mr. Johnson.

In 1856 Hugh Johnson and family came west and located about three miles east of Iowa Falls, where Hugh Johnson bought a farm, Benjamin Johnson and wife having come with them. The country was new, sparsely settled and undeveloped and they had to do their trading at remote points. They brought their household effects from Dubuque, hauling the same by wagon. The women made the trip from the east by railroad to Dubuque, and went from there by stage coach to Iowa Falls.

Benjamin Johnson and family lived on his father's farm a few months, then lived on the Knapp farm two years, the next four years being spent on the Wisner farm near Eldora. They then bought a place near Eagle City, before, however, there was any "city" there. They reamined on that place about sixteen years and there Mr. Johnson spent his last days, his death occurring on September 14, 1879. He was a member of the Disciples church.

To Benjamin Johnson and wife eleven children were born, of whom eight are living, namely: Hugh L. and Mrs. Cynthia A. Shaner, of Eagle City; Mrs. Emma J. Young of Robstown, Texas; A. A. lives at Kanawha, Hancock county, Iowa; Charles E.; James Lynas lives as Morgan, Wyoming; Mrs. Olevia E. Smith, of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Mrs. Mary E. Smith, of Osseo, Minnesota.

Mrs. Johnson is now the wife of Charles H. Warn, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work.