Johnson - Fountain North - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

F. N. JOHNSON, County Treasurer, Crawfordsville, was b. in Gallatin Co, KY in 1842. He resided there with his parents until he was 12, when they removed to Montgomery County, Indiana and settled in Brown Township, which has been his residence. In 1867 he began clerking for the firm of DAVIS & HANNA, general merchants of Waveland and in 1873 he became a member of the firm, the firm now being Hanna & Johnson. He continued busily engaged in merchandising until 1878, when the Democratic Party, which gave him a majority of 104 votes, elected him to the office of county treasurer. He was elected for 2 years and has since been renominated for a second time. He is a member of Waveland Lodge No 217, IOOF [Independent Order of Odd Fellows] and has been a member of the Christian Church for 20 years and is at present superintendent of that church's Sunday School at Crawfordsville. Jan 10, 1869 he was married to Miss Julia F. DURHAM, a native of Kentucky. She died Jan 6, 1880, leaving two children, Henry F, aged 11 and John A. aged 4. = typed by kbz

Source: Portrait & Biographical History of Montgomery, Parke & Fountain Co IN (Chapman Brothers, 1893) p 525

Waveland is somewhat noted for the representative southern families who in 1854 located in this portion of Indiana. Among the many who left the sunny south to push their fortunes amid the enterprising industries of the northern country was the Johnson family. Barnett Ristine Johnson and Roberta (North) Johnson were born in Kentucky, the former in 1810 and the latter in 1821. They grew to manhood and womanhood in that state, and it was there that the acquaintance of childhood ripened into the affection of more mature years and they became man and wife. The result of this union was a family of six children, one of whom is the subject of this sketch. Unlike many of his boyhood's friends and neighbors, Mr. Johnson received a collegiate education, and the fact that he made good use of his time and the money expended on his mental cultivation is quite evident to all who may hold conversation with him. Upon leaving Waveland College our subject concluded to learn something of the practical life not to be found in books, and with this end in view spent considerable of his time in a blacksmith shop. After acquiring a certain amount of useful knowledge in this branch of industry he learned the carpenter's trade and pursued this vocation for a number of years. In the year 1873 Mr. Johnson entered the field of merchandise, and meeting with more than ordinary success in this field he followed this business for eight years, after which time he received an offer for his business and sold out. In the fall of 1878 Mr. Johnson was elected on the Democratic ticket to the office of County Treasurer, an office he filled creditably to himself and satisfactorily to his constituents. After completing his term as County Treasurer, Mr. Johnson next turned his attention to the need of a bank in Waveland, and in the year 1882 he, in company with W. H. Durham, of Crawfordsville; C. H. Johnson, a brother, assistant cashier, and T. L. Hanna, of Waveland, established a private banking institution in Waveland, of which F. N. Johnson was cashier. Mr. Johnson's first wife was Miss Julia F. Durham, who died after becoming the mother of two children, Henry F. and John C. Johnson. The lady who became his second wife was Miss Mary V. Wiley, a daughter of Dr. Ryland F. Brown, of Indianapolis, who has also borne our subject two children, Thomas B. and Theodore N., twins. Mrs. Johnson is a lad of most affable and courteous manners. Both she and her husband are active members of the Christian Church, of which body her father was a prominent minister. She is justly proud of the record made by her father, Dr. Brown, he having preached his fifty-second consecutive Easter sermon, a record few men can show. Dr. Brown's name will ever be held in kindly remembrance as one that has contributed his full quota to the growth and advancement of the cause he espoused so many years ago, and as a man who has always reflected credit on the profession he chose to adorn. He has always taken an active part in the politics of the community. He stands by his party through evil and good report. He has filled the office of President of the Waveland School Board for fifteen years, and the cause of education has no more eloquent disciple than he. Noted for his business abi9lity, commended for his integrity, emulated for the manner in which he has conducted the affairs of his life, Mr. Johnson ranks with the best citizen of Waveland, and enjoys the friendship and good will of friends and acquaintances alike. = typed by kbz

Source: Waveland Independent Waveland, Montgomery County, Indiana Friday Oct 14, 1898

Mr. and Mrs. FN Johnson are at Chattanooga, Tenn attending the National Convention of the Christian Church. They will visit the points of interest in that vicinity before returning. = typed by kbz

Source: Waveland Independent Waveland, Montgomery County, Indiana Aug 7, 1908

F.N. Johnson has bought the Margaret Rhoads property opposite the Christian Church and begins immediately the erection of a 9-room cottage which he expects to have ready for occupancy by Thanksgiving. T.N. Shepherd will do the building. The present house will be moved to the back of the lots and faced west.  = typed by kbz