Johnson, John H.

JOHNSON, GILLESPIE, MOORE

Posted By: Mary H. Cochrane, Volunteer
Date: 6/30/2019 at 19:31:50

Biography ~ James H. Johnson

"Biographical and Historical Record of
Ringgold and Decatur Counties, Iowa"
(Lewis Publishing Company (1887)), p. 687:

JAMES H. JOHNSON, farmer, reside on section 18, Long Creek Township, where he owns 240 acres of excellent land. He was born in Van Wert County, Ohio, September 35, 1847, son of ABLE and MARGARET A. (GILLESPIE) JOHNSON, natives of Ohio. The father was born in Harrison County, in 1812, and settled in Van Wert County in 1838. The family consisted of father, mother, three brothers and four sisters. They were possessed of more than ordinary intelligence, and have held prominent offices in their county. The father was associate judge of the county, and served as justice of the peace several years. He had three sons in the late war, who served their full term of enlistment and were honorably discharged. They removed to Polk County, Iowa, in 1862, and to Decatur County in 1866, where the mother afterward died. The father is living in Ohio. JAMES H. was reared in his native State, and was sixteen years of age when his parents came to Iowa. He came to Decatur County in 1868. He was married in this county, in 1869, to MINERVA E., daughter of HENRY and EVELINE MOORE, natives of Kentucky, both are deceased. Mrs. JOHNSON was born in Own County, Indiana, October 8, 1846. The children of Mr. and Mrs. JOHNSON are - HENRY F., MAGGIE A., SUSAN B. and MARY E. Mr. JOHNSON enlisted in the army, but his father prevented his serving, owing to his extreme youth. His educational advantages were good. He was reared to the occupation of a farmer, and when he commenced for himself his capital consisted of one horse. His land is principally devoted to grass. He makes a specialty of short-horn cattle. Mr. JOHNSON has served as school director and in other minor office. His ancestry are Scotch-Irish on his father’s side, and German on his mother’s side. Mrs. JOHNSON’s ancestry is German. Postoffice, Van Wert.

Transcription by Sara LeFleur, Decatur County Historical Society Museum, January of 2014