History of Fulton County, Illinois; together with
Sketches of its Cities, Villages and Townships, Educational, Religious,
Civil, Military, and Political History; Portraits of Prominent Persons
and Biographies of Representative Citizens. Chas. C. Chapman & Co.,
Peoria, Illinois, 1879, page 472, Banner Township
John W. Johnson, farmer, Monterey; P. O., Canton, Ill. His
parents, Abraham and Martha (Crawford) Johnson, were natives of
Pennsylvania; she died in Jan., 1840, and he in Aug., 1871. John W.,
born in W. V., came to Buckheart township in March, 1857, then to the
place where he now resides. He has been Commissioner of Highways and is
now Supervisor. In 1860 he married Miss E. J. Johnson, of Buckheart
Township, who was born in 1840 in Washington Co., Penn. Their children
are Patience Emma, born in 1862; Albert Wilber, born in 1864 and died
in 1869; and Anthony Edgar, born in Feb., 1868. Methodist Protestant.
Republican. Owns 112 acres of land.
Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County,
Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of
prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with
portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States,
and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890;
page 527-528; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
Rev. John W. Johnson. It has been said by a famous poet,
“The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with
their bones.” It is the purpose of the biographical writer to
change this order, which is, alas, too true in many cases, and to
perpetuate the good deeds and worthy efforts of the citizens of the
county. We are therefore glad to be able to present to our
readers the simple facts regarding the gentleman above named, whose
home is on a beautiful farm in Banner Township.
The Rev. Mr. Johnson is a son of Abraham and Martha (Crawford)
Johnson, respected citizens of Virginia, who are now represented by
five living children. Rebecca married Mathew McMillan and lives
in Oho; Robert is married and living in Indiana, so likewise is
William; Anthony M., a twin of the subject of this sketch, married Miss
Price and has five daughters, his home being in Marshall County, W. Va.
The eyes of our subject opened to the light of day November 24,
1837, in Marshall County, W. Va. (then Virginia). He was reared
on a farm and received a district-school education. March 4,
1857, he arrived in this county, where he began work on a farm in
Buckheart Township, laboring by the month about three years. He
finally became the owner of one hundred and forty acres on section 4,
Banner Township, which he has improved with fine buildings, including
all that is needful to the successful prosecution of agriculture and
the convenience of the household. The land is thoroughly tilled
and made to yield abundantly of various fruits of the earth.
In 1880 the Rev. Mr. Johnson received Elder’s orders and was
ordained to preach in the Methodist Protestant Church. He has
done all that in him lay to build up the cause of Christianity, to win
souls to Christ and keep those who have entered the straight and narrow
path from going astray. Believing that the hope of the church, as
of the country, lies in the children, he is especially engaged in
Sunday-school work in the county and having now only local orders, is
able to give much attention to that department of Christian
labor. His fellow-citizens in Banner Township have elected him
Supervisor six terms and bestowed upon him the position of School
Director during a period of probably twenty years; he is at present
School Trustee. His political faith is fixed on the policy of the
Republican party. His character is one of such purity and
earnestness that he is beloved by all who associate with him.
The Rev. Mr. Johnson was happily married, February 13, 1860, to
Elizabeth A., daughter of Robert Johnson, a resident of this county and
formerly a citizen of Washington County, Pa. Mrs. Johnson is of
German descent, is a devoted wife and mother, a true home-keeper and an
excellent neighbor. Her union has been blessed by three children,
two of whom are living. Patience E. was born December 12, 1861,
was married November 15, 1887, to Edgar P. Pool and lives in Canton;
Edgar A., born February 11, 1867, is unmarried, resides with his
parents and is now attending the Canton Commercial College.
