From the 1885 History of Steuben County, Indiana

pages 681-682

Robert H. Johnson, Auditor of Steuben County, Ind., was born in DeKalb County, Ind., March 10, 1838, a son of Amariah and Jane (Wyatt) Johnson, his father a native of Ohio, born in 1809, and his mother of Pennsylvania, but an early settler of Ohio, where they were married and in the fall of 1837 moved to DeKalb County and settled in Jackson Township. The first school-house built in his district and church in his township, were built on the farm of Mr. Johnson. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Protestant church, and strict conformists to its principles. They had a family of twelve children, eight of whom are living -- Robert H., Isaac, Nathan, William, Amariah, Zeruah, wife of M. V. Hettinger, of Michigan; Rebecca, wife of Henry Beams, of Allen County, Ind.; and Libbie, wife of L. B. Shilling, of Auburn. The mother died in 1858, and the father in 1877. Robert H. Johnson was reared and educated in his native county, completing his education at the Newville Academy. He was one of the first to enlist when the Government called for troops in 1861, but as there was an excess of men he was discharged. The following August he enlisted in Company H, Thirtieth Indiana Infantry. He participated in the engagements at Corinth, Lawrenceburg, Ky., Stone River, Chickamauga, Chattanooga and Atlanta, besides numerous other engagements. After the battle of Mission Ridge he veteranized in the same regiment and was appointed Corporal. He was soon afterward promoted to Hospital Steward, and in February, 1865, to First Lieutenant and Adjutant, and served as Adjutant till the close of the war. After the siege of Atlanta the regiment was among the number who took part in the engagement at Jonesboro, and thence in pursuit of Hood. Their last engagement was at Nashville. They then went to Texas, where their services ended. After his discharge from the service he returned to DeKalb County, and for a time engaged in mercantile pursuits, but not being successful, in 1868 he came to Steuben County and settled on a farm in Clear Lake Township. In 1878 he was elected Auditor of Steuben County, and moved his family to Angola. In 1882 he was re-elected. He has been an efficient, reliable officer and has gained the confidence of all fair-minded citizens. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and is also a strong supporter of the temperance cause. Mr. Johnson was married in May, 1866, to Emily A. Platter, daughter of John and Emeline Platter, early settlers of DeKalb County. The have three children -- Edassa, Carl P., and Ira E. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are members of the Christian church.

Submitted by Kim Davoli

E-mail: davoli82@juno.com