Johnson - Alfred
Source: Portrait and B Portrait & Biographical Record of Montgomery, Parke & Fountain Counties. IN. Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1893, p. 144.
Alfred Johnson, a representative pioneer and much respected citizen of Montgomery County, well known in early days as a successful tiller of the soil, is one more added to the list of the honored dead who were closely identified with the farming interests of the State, and who were each and all important factors in the march of improvement and general progress in Indiana. Our subject was largely a self-made man. Very early in life he assumed the cares of a home and family, and ever was faithful to the solemn obligations he then entered into. Upright and conscientious in life, he died, as he had lived, a true and earnest Christian gentleman, and was sincerely mourned by the old friends and neighbors of early years, and all who knew him lamented his death.
In the middle of the eighteenth century, the great-grandfather of our subject was recorded as a Hollander, because he spoke the language of the Dutch land well. His son, the grandfather of Alfred Johnson, was named William, and was a trustworthy man, of more than ordinary ability. During the Revolutionary War, William Johnson served in the commissary department, and was well known as an ardent patriot. His son Henry was born in 1778, and spent the early portion of his life within his native State, Virginia. Arrived at mature years, he engaged in business as a livestock dealer, and drove hogs across the mountains from Kentucky to Virginia.
The lady who became his wife was Miss Clara Day, who was also a native of Virginia, and was born in the year 1781. Henry and Clara (Day) Johnson were the parents of a large family; the brothers and sisters were Osa D., the wife of Joseph P. Hultz; Lucretia, who married Thomas Armstrong, and came to Montgomery County in 1830; Alfred, our subject, who was the eldest son; Charity, who became the wife of Bryant Day; William; Presley D., who still survives; and John, located in Iowa. Alfred Johnson, our subject was born in Mason County, Ky., about 1810. He remained in his native place until he had attained early manhood, and was there married to Miss Margaret Dollis, a native of New Jersey.
In 1831, with his father, brothers, sisters and wife, Alfred Johnson came to Montgomery County, Ind., which they made their permanent home. The father lived to a good old age, and passed peacefully away, respected and beloved. Our subject and his wife were happy in their new home, where soon a family clustered around their hearth. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson reared a family of six children. Henry was the eldest-born; Mary, now deceased, was the wife of George Grott; George is now a resident of Pawnee; Emily is the wife of D.B. Harrison; Pamelia married W.R. Dawson, of Putnam County. Margaret, the wife of Alfred Johnson, departed this life December 22, 1892.
William was born in 1845, grew up in the county, and attended the seminary at Ladoga. He well improved his educational advantages, and thus fitted himself for the discharge of the various business duties which have occupied his time. He began buying and shipping stock in 1870, and prospered in this venture, averaging shipments of two cars per week. Mr. Johnson now buys and ships broth grain and stock, and ships manufactured lumber. He has attained a prominent position as a leading business man, and is a progressive citizen, active in public affairs, and has been one of the workers in advancing the various interests of Pawnee. He owns a general merchandise store in the place, conducts the post-office, and is also the proprietor of a profitable sawmill.
In 1873, William Johnson and Miss Mary A. Webb became man and wife. Mrs. Johnson was the daughter of Robert Webb, of Hamilton County, and was a great favorite in her early home, and has a wide circle of friends in the town and county where she now resides. This estimable lady is the mother of two children, Grace and George H., twins. The parents were bereaved by the death of their son Robert A., a boy of more than ordinary ability, and one whose sterling traits of character gave promise of a brilliant and successful career in life. George H. has been an operator in the service of the Western Telegraph Company, and is a bright young man.
Mr. Johnson is a Republican, and is always interested in the management of local and national affairs, but, generally speaking, is not a politician. Our subject was a member of the Disciples Church, and others of his family worshipped in the same house of prayer, but a portion of the family are Baptists - typed by kbz