From:  Sue Davis   

St. Joseph Valley Register, 28 March 1878, Page 3:
Death of Trustee Johnson
  William Johnson, whose death was announced in the REGISTER of Wednesday, was one of the first settlers in St. Joseph county, having resided in the county over forty years.  He lived near Warren Centre when he died, owning a large amount of land thereabouts.  His death was not unexpected, for he has been but just alive for over a year, and once or twice he has read his obituary in the county papers.  He has been Trustee of Warren township for nearly twenty years, and always preformed his duties well and with scrupulous care.  He is well known to all the people for miles around Warren, as a good, kind-hearted old gentleman, who never missed an opportunity of doing a good deed; and his death will be mourned by many poor people about his home, whom he has often aided in their need.  If there is rest beyond the river, he will be one of the favored ones, if doing good deeds secures an entrance into the many mansions above.  He was about seventy years of age when he died.

South Bend Tribune, March 22, 1878, Page 2:
Death of William Johnson, Trustee of Warren Township
  William Johnson, Trustee of Warren township, died on Tuesday afternoon, at 4 o'clock, of paralysis, a disease with which he had been afflicted more or less, for over two years.  His death was reported on March 29th of last year, and an obituary of him appeared in the TRIBUNE of that date; yet although very low then he recovered enough to be able to attend to his private and official affairs.  For several months, however, Mr. Thurston Miller has performed his duties as township trustee.
  Mr. Johnson came to this county nearly 40 years ago and has always been a resident of Warren.  He always took a prominent part in local politics, first as a whig, then as a republican.  He served in 1852 as township clerk, and in 1855 was elected township trustee, a position to which he has been elected every term since and which he held at the time of his death.  Mr. Johnson married a daughter of the late Christian Smith, and leaves a widow and several children to mourn his loss.  As a husband, neighbor and official, Mr. Johnson ever conducted himself with the strictest honor and integrity, and was held in great esteem by all.  At his death he was in his 67th year.  His funeral took place on Tuesday forenoon, at Warren Centre school house; services by Elder Jas. Miller.  There was a large attendance, notwithstanding the unfavorable weather.

South Bend Weekly Tribune, March 23, 1878:
Death of William Johnson, Trustee of Warren Township
  William Johnson, Trustee of Warren township, died on Tuesday afternoon, at 4 o’clock, of paralysis, a disease with which he had been afflicted more or less, for over two years.  His death was reported on March 29th of last year, and an obituary of him appeared in the TRIBUNE of that date; yet although very low then he recovered enough to be able to attend to his private and official affairs.  For several months, however, Mr. Thurston Miller has performed his duties as township trustee.
  Mr. Johnson came to this county nearly 40 years ago and has always been a resident of Warren.  He always took a prominent part in local politics, first as a Whig, then as a republican.  He served in 1852 as township clerk, and in 1855 was elected township trustee, a position to which he has been elected every term since and which he held at the time of his death.  Mr. Johnson married a daughter of the late Christian Smith, and leaves a widow and several children to mourn his loss.  As a husband, neighbor and official, Mr. Johnson ever conducted himself with the strictest honor and integrity, and was held in great esteem by all.  At his death he was in his 67th year.  His funeral took place on Tuesday forenoon, at Warren Centre school house; services by Elder Jas. Miller.  There was a large attendance, notwithstanding the unfavorable weather.