Johnson - Fountain North
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.
Source: Waveland Independent Waveland, Montgomery County, Indiana May 21,1920 Fountain North Johnson died at his home in Crawfordsville at 4 o'clock on Sat. afternoon, after an illness of two weeks. About a month previous to his demise he suffered a derangement of vision, which was diagnoses caused by cerebral hemorrhage. Two weeks ago he suffered a paralytic stroke that effected his left side and interfered with his speech. On Friday last, about 10 in the morning, a second shock supervened, followed by others and his death at the hour mentioned. The end came peacefully. A short funeral service was held at the home on Monday afternoon, after which the body was brought to the Waveland Christian Church, where Rev. Charles W. Ross, of the Crawfordsville Christian Church, preached the funeral sermon. Interment in Maple Ridge Cem.
The following account of his life had been prepared by Mr. Johnson about a year before his death: "Fountain North Johnson, born near Warsaw, Gallatin County, Ky, Oct 21, 1842 moved with parents to Waveland In Oct 1854; worked 2 summers (1855-56) for "Uncle" Billy Moore at the old Moore Tavern farm, one mi.. NE of Waveland on the Crawfordsville Road. Worked at blacksmithing for sev. years as helper for sev. of the wagon & carriage firms at Waveland, among them Philebaum & Ayres, Reuben Sisco, Frank Foley, HE Roads, Sam & Joe Belton. "I attended the Waveland Public Schools and the Waveland Collegiate Institute. After leaving school, worked with father at Carpentering, plastering, brick laying and such other work was available. Went to Calif. in 1864, returning in 1865. Father died Aug. 29, 1866. I taught school in Waveland 1866- 67. Was clerk in the store of Davis & Hanna for several years and while working for them, was married to Julia F. Durham, Jan. 10, 1869. To this marriage was born two sons, Henry Franklin and John Amos. Bought of WJ Davis his interest of the firm of Davis & Hanna, and continued the business under the firm name of Hanna & Johnson. In 1878, while connected with the firm, I received the nomination for county treasurer on the Democratic ticket and was elected. In the same year, my partner, Mr. Tyre L. Hanna, received the nomination on the Republic ticket for County Commissioner and was elected, which indicates a popular firm. Sold my interest in the firm to my brother, CH Johnson and moved to Crawfordsville in 1879. My wife died Jan 6, 1880. Was a charter member of the Citizen's National Bank of Crawfordsville and was VP. While connected with the bank was marr. to Mrs. Mary V. Wiley, November 16, 1881 and moved to Waveland. To this marr. was born twin boys, Theodore North and Thomas Brown, Sept 2, 1882. Organized the Bank of Waveland in 1882, with WH Durham, Hannah & Johnson and FN Johnson as Stockholders. Was a member of the School board of the town of Waveland when elected County Treasurer. On my return to Waveland, was elected one of the trustees of the town and was largely instrumental in the purchase of the old Waveland Collegiate Institute buildings for public school purposes. On retiring as trustee of the town, was elected trustee of the School Board, in which capacity served as pres. of the Board over 20 years. On account of declining health, from close confinement in the Bank, gave up the active work in 1910, moving to Crawfordsville, but retaining the office of pres. of the Bank to this date. In 1919. I was a member of the Waveland Home Guards when it was ordered to Indianapolis, during the Morgan Raid. The company responded as the 111th Regt of Minute Men promptly, but not in time to participate actively in the Raid, as there were sufficient soldiers and citizens near the raiders to drive them back into Ky. I united with the Christian Church in a meeting held in the old Methodist Church House at Waveland by bros. Priest and Ewing in 1857 and was a charter member of the Christian Church organized in Waveland in 1867, and was associated with its activities until I removed to Crawfordsville in 1910, at which time I placed my letter with the 1st Christian Church of Crawfordsville. I was one of the charter members at Rathbone Lodge Knights of Pythias at Waveland. As to ancestors, my mother, whose maiden name was North, was born in Harrison co Ky in 1821. My grandmother North, whose maiden name was Holmes was born in Virginia and distantly related to the Rolfs, consequently have a tinge of native American blood or Indiana. My father Barnet Ristine Johnson, was born in Trimble co Ky in 1812. His father, whose name was Daniel Johnson was a Revolutionary Soldier. His grandfather his mother's side was John Ristine, an early settler of Ky. My father's mother was a Ristine and aunt of Uncle Ben Ristine of Crawfordsville. I jot this ancestry down, simply as a matter of history, not that it makes man better or worse, but a good ancestry is to one's advantage. I am thankful that I have lived in a country where one's success does not depend on his ancestry, but is limited only by his ability, energy and honesty, and this is not for personal application, for I feel that my success has been very limited. Mrs. Johnson was ill with tonsillitis and was unable to come to Waveland. Besides the sons, there is one step daughter, Mrs. Will Cuppy of Morristown, Pa; two brothers, Charles of Waveland; and Eugene of Piqua, Ohio and one sister, Mrs. Allen E. Eastlack, of Crawfordsville. - transcribed by kbz