Johnson - John - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

 

JOHN JOHNSON, one of the best known and most popular sons of  old Ireland: as well as a highly respected man, was born near  Dingle, County Kerry, Ireland, September 25, 1832. His parents  were Michael and Ellen Johnson. The story of his life has much of  interest and appeals to the heart in its earlier history, as that  of a brave soldier must ever do.

 Mr. Johnson's boyhood was spent on a farm until, at the age of  fifteen, he went to New Orleans, where a sister was then living.  The following year he came as far north as Cincinnati, and soon  found work on a railroad in Kentucky, continuing at this for two  years, at the end of which time he began to learn the  cabinet-maker's trade at Cincinnati. After mastering this trade,  he worked as a journeyman in Cincinnati till the outbreak of the  war, when he enlisted in Company E, Tenth Ohio Infantry. He was  in the campaign in West Virginia, and much of the time was on  special scouting duty.

 In the opening of the campaign of 1862 Mr. Johnson's command was  placed in the Army of the Cumberland under Gen. Dumont. He was  detailed on special duty connected with the United States Signal  Service, and at Bacon Creek, Ky., was thoroughly drilled in the  work. Col. Thomas J. Kelly, who was formerly an editor of a Union  paper in Nashville, Tenn., and who barely escaped with his life,  had been one of the historical rescuers of the Irish patriots at  Manchester, England, and had become an expert in signal service.  He was detailed to examine and drill this body of men at  Winchester, Tenn., those only being accepted who passed a  satisfactory competitive examination. Young Johnson, being an apt  student with quick perception and natural Irish wit, soon became  proficient and was made Sergeant, with promises of promotion,  which promises, however, never were fulfilled, favoritism being  shown other men by his superior officers.

 Mr. Johnson's corps was attached to Gen. Thomas' headquarters,  and was in close communication with all the movements of that  General's army, rendering valuable service on many occasions. At  one time a private from Illinois had, by diligent attention and  study, picked up the rebel signal code, and after this, when a  position could be obtained where the rebel service could be seen,  their communications could be read and the Federal authorities  acquainted with the dispatches so sent as easily as the rebels  themselves.

 Mr. Johnson continued with his corps till he was captured near  Tuscumbia, Ala., while on an expedition to learn more fully of a  body of rebels who were harassing Gen. Thomas. He was taken to  Capt. Roddy's camp, and soon after to Gen. Bragg's headquarters,  where he had a personal interview with that General. On the day  of his removal, he was convinced that some special move was  contemplated. He overheard a conversation between two Irish  soldiers who were speaking their native tongue, supposing their  secret safe by so doing. They referred to the contemplated  movements of the rebel army towards Mobile and on to Chattanooga.  Being the only prisoner at the date spoken of above, the others  having been sent away the day before, he was treated leniently,  and was soon after paroled and allowed to return to the Union  lines, and to parole camp at Camp Chase, Columbus, and visit his  family in Cincinnati. This parole lasted six months, when he  rejoined the army and continued in the service till his discharge  June 16, 1864. His character and value as a soldier are shown by  the fact that he was highly complimented by Gen. Thomas  himself.

 Mr. Johnson returned to Cincinnati and worked at his trade one  year, then went to Putnam County, Ind., where he stayed a year,  then went to Mace and lived on a farm till he came to  Crawfordsville in 1881. He was elected County Recorder on the  Republican ticket in 1880, and re-elected in 1884. During this  time he began work as a contractor and has continued in that  business to the present time, making it a decided success. He has  built in all about sixty miles of gravel road, besides railway  and levee work for the Government, and the other branches called  for in his business-bridge-building, sewer and pipe-laying, etc.  His work is all well done because he gives it his personal  supervision. He has met with decided financial success. In  addition to his general contracting business, he has invested in  the electric light plant of Lawrenceburg, Ind., where he has  about $16,000 invested.
 In October, 1868, Mr. Johnson married Eliza Kennedy, of  Cincinnati, the marriage taking place in that city. Their family  consists of ten children, three sons and seven daughters. Of the  daughters, one, Hannah, is a teacher, and one a milliner in  Chicago. The family residence is at No. 612 West Main street Mr.  Johnson is a Republican and an active politician, and while in  office served the people well and faithfully even as, when a  soldier, he went forward steadily and bravely in the way of truth  and duty. - typed by kbz