William J. Johnson 1821 - 1909

JOHNSON, CHRISTY, SMITH, WARD, MEEK, BOGLE

Posted By: Rich Lowe (email)
Date: 9/27/2001 at 14:46:51

William J. Johnson was born near Springbore [sic], Warren County, Ohio, on the 1st day of December A. D. 1821. When he was six years of age his father's family moved to Fountain County, Indiana, where he was educated in the schools that these pioneer times afforded. In the year 1836 the family moved to Monmouth, Illinois, and in the fall of that year with his father he came to Van Buren County, Iowa, where they purchased a farm about one mile south of Bonaparte and built a log cabin, and in the following spring the family came to make their permanent home.

Mr. Johnson spent two years on the farm and then came to Bonaparte where he assisted in the construction of the first "Dam" across the Des Moines river, afterwards a mill was erected and entering the same he was employed their 17 years. The last year he was in the mill he received a fall and was seriously injured and from that time was unable to do manual labor.

In 1856 he engaged in the mercantile business at this place in company with his brother-in-law (Thomas Christy) and for a quarter of a century the partnership continued. He was widely known and a friend of everybody.

In 1846 near Douds, this county he was married to Mary J. Christy and to this union were born nine (9) children; Mrs. Geo. F. Smith of Keosauqua, Mrs. Geo. T. Ward of Chicago, Mrs. William Meek of Denver, Colo., J. A. Johnson of Bonaparte, and George B. Johnson of Fort Worth, Texas, are the children still living. James W. the eldest child died Jan. 24th 1865, Mary Ellen died May 1894, and Thomas H. in September 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson celebrated their "Golden Wedding" in March 1896, his wife of fifty years died the following December on Mr. Johnson's birthday, at the age of 75 years.

After the death of his wife he made his home with his grand daughter, Mrs. W. I. Bogle, for several at the old home place, and for the past five or six years he has lived with the family of his son, J. A. Johnson, where all that loving hands could do for his was done and where he died Sunday, April 25th, 1909, at the age of 87 years, 4 months and 24 days. He leaves to mourn their loss three (3) daughters, and two (2) sons, 13 grand-children, one sister, Mrs. Sarah Christy, of Bonaparte, and one brother, T. B. Johnson of California.

Mr. Johnson was always a supporter of "Democratic principles" and was elected Clerk of the Courts of Van Buren County and also held many local offices of trust. In many was he was connected with the early history of the County and was identified with not a few of its early projects and enterprises, and was always willing to do anything for the upbuilding and good of the town and community. "Uncle Billy," as he was familiarly known by everyone, has gone, but his good word for every one and his aid to many less fortunate than himself will be remembered by the people of this community, his children will always have the remembrance of a kind of loving Father, who has gone never to return.

Mr. Johnson was honored by being elected President of the Old Settlers Association of Van Buren County and was present at the last meeting of the Pioneers in August of last year.

Funeral services were held at the home of J. A. Johnson Wednesday afternoon at two o'clock Rev. Jas. Clark of the Presbyterian church officiating. The remains were place in the Bonaparte cemetery beside those of his wife.

The pall bearers were Benj. Ketcham, Thos. Hanback, B. R. Vale, Jno Fitzgerald, W. E. Smith, and W. P. L. Muir, long time friends of the deceased.

Obit. likely from Bonaparte Record - copy found in the Entler scrapbook Collection, vol 5, Iowa State Historical Society Library, Iowa City, IA

[I would like to hear from anyone with connection to this family. - Rich]