Abraham JOHNSON, one of the pioneers of Ringgold County, located in Roscoe Township in 1856. He was born in Rock Castle County, Kentucky, August 2, 1818, and when he was about seven years of age his parents, Robert and Anna JOHNSON, settled in Putnam County, Indiana, where he grew to manhood, and was there married, in 1839, to Lucinda WOODS, a native of Kentucky, born in 1819.

They lived in Putnam County ten years after their marriage, and then moved to Champaign County, Illinois, where they lived five years, and in 1854 moved to Iowa, and lived about eighteen months in Monroe County, moving thence to Ringgold County. He located on the farm where he now lives, on section 20, Riley Township, in 1862. His homestead contains ninety-five acres of choice land, and he also owns thirty acres of timber land in Missouri, near the State line.

Mr. and Mrs. JOHNSON have had a family of eight children, of whom six are living - James, of Mt. Ayr; Mrs. Mary J. McCLURG; John H., of Nebraska; Mrs. Sarah E. DRAPER; Jeptha S. and Mrs. Martha A. BAYLISS (sic). William died in childhood, and Mrs. Kittie Ann WALTER, aged twenty-three years. Mr. JOHNSON and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

In politics he is a Republican. Mr. JOHNSON's father died in Putnam County, Indiana, in 1837, and in 1849 his mother accompanied her sons, Adam and William, to Union County, Iowa, where she died in 1875. Mrs. JOHNSON's mother died when she was ten months old, and she was reared by an older sister, Mrs. Nancy WASS, of Indiana. Her father married a second time, and moved to Louisville, Kentucky, where he spent the last days of his life.

NOTE: Abraham JOHNSON died at the age of 72 years, 6 months and 2 days on February 4, 1890, Riley Township of Ringgold County, Iowa. Lucinda (WOOD) JOHNSON died at the age of 78 years April 8, 1897. Abraham and Lucinda were interred at Mount Zion Cemetery, Ringgold County, Iowa.

Martha A. "Mattie" (JOHNSON) BAYLESS was born in 1859, and died at the age of 27 years, 7 months and 15 days on December 5, 1886, with interment at Mount Zion Cemetery, Ringgold County, Iowa.

Mary J. (JOHNSON) McCLURG died at the age of 55 years, 6 months and 3 days on July 3, 1896 with interment at Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa.

Kittie Ann (JOHNSON) WALTER, wife of Peter W. WALTER, was born in 1842, and died in childbirth at the age of 23 years, 15 days on November 3, 1865 with interment at Caledonia Cemetery, Ringgold County, Iowa. The child also died. Peter W. WALTER, son of Abraham WALTER and Martha (FREED) WALTER, was born February 8, 1842 in Ohio, and died January 9, 1924. Peter married second August of 1867 to Elizabeth SWIM and they were the parents of Alfred, born June 11, 1868, Lotts Creek Twp., Ringgold County, Iowa; Lulu; Howard; Minnie, and Clyde.

Sarah E. (JOHNSON) DRAPER was born in 1850, married in 1869 to Isaac DRAPER who was born in 1839, New York, and died in 1882. Sarah and Isaac were the parents of four known children:
1) Everett DRAPER, born circa 1871, Riley Twp., Ringgold Co. IA
2) Burton DRAPER, born circa 1873, Riley Twp., Ringgold Co. IA
3) Dallas DRAPER, born circa 1876, Riley Twp., Ringgold Co. IA
4) Roscoe DRAPER, born circa 1879, Riley Twp., Ringgold Co. IA

  SOURCES:
Biography & Historical Record of Ringgold County, Iowa, Pp. 347-48, 1887.

1880 Federal Census, Riley Twp., Ringgold Co. IA

WPA Graves Survey

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2009

Biographical Sketches Pages Index: A - F,   G - L,   M - R,  S - Z

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