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JAMES JOHNSON, a retired farmer of Vinton, Iowa, was born October 23, 1843, in Boone county, Indiana, and came to Benton county with his parents in the spring of 1848. He is a son of Albert and Mary (Schooley) Johnson. Albert Johnson was born in 1820, in Lawrence county, Indiana, and was reared in Putnam and Boone counties in the same state. He became a farmer and came to Benton county, Iowa, in 1848. He was a son of Alexander and Sallie (Allen) Johnson, both natives of Ohio, who moved to Kentucky and then to Indiana, and in 1847 to Benton county, Iowa. Albert Johnson entered one hundred and sixty acres of land in Benton county, Iowa, which he improved; he retired from the farm about twenty years before his decease, and engaged in real estate business. He died June 2, 1902. In 1840 Albert Johnson married Mary, daughter of William and Mary (Phillips) Schooley, who was born in Maryland, removed to Ohio, thence to Indiana, and finally to Benton county, Iowa. They had seven children, namely: James; Caroline, wife of John King, of Vinton; S. L. of Harrison township, Benton county; Idella, deceased, wife of S. H. Bunten, also deceased; Harrison, residing in Missouri; and Norah, wife of A. Simmon of Polk township.
James Johnson came to Iowa when four and one-half years old, was reared on a farm, and lived at home until eighteen years of age. In 1861 he entered the Eighth Iowa Infantry, under General Fremont, Steele's brigade, and later was with Sherman's army, and he had the distinction to assist in chasing Hood out of Tennessee. He was taken sick and discharged from the Eighth Iowa Infantry, March 20, 1862, and re-enlisted in the Fifth Iowa Infantry April 12, 1864. He took part in the battle of Columbia, Tennessee, in the Wilson raid and in a number of other engagements. He received his discharge in Nashville, on August 19, 1865, and retiirned to Benton county, Iowa, where he purchased and improved a farm. He remained in the successful conduct of this farm until retiring to Vinton in 1904. He takes an active interest in local public affairs and is a Republican. He has served as county supervisor and school treasurer. He belongs to the Christian church and lends his support to any worthy object or cause, using his influence towards the progress and improvement of the community. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic of Vinton in which he is prominent. His family have always been true patriots, and his paternal grandfather, Alexander Johnson, took part in the war of 1812.
Mr. Johnson married in 1866, Nellie, daughter of Aaron King (deceased), of Benton county, and their children are: Leonard, a farmer; Minnie, wife of L. H. Liebsch, of Polk township; Lillie, living at home; and Ray, living on the old homestead. Mr. Johnson moved to Vnton in 1902.
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