- ABIANTHAR JOHNSON, one of the pioneer settlers of this county,
now residing on section 4,
- Johnstown Township, is a native of New York, born in Bethany,
Genesee County, on the 3d of June, 1817, and is the son of Isaac
and Ruth (BROWN) JOHNSON. The family of twelve children of which
he was a member now numbers but four among the living. Winthrop,
the eldest, was born in 1802, and is now living in East Randolph,
N.Y.; Seriel and Oliver are now deceased; Miranda was the wife
of Nathan REED; Anna is also deceased; Abiathar was the fifth
in order of birth; William, who for forty years was a minister
of the Freewill Baptist Church, is now engaged in farming in
Chautauqua County, N.Y.; David, a minister of the Baptist Church,
is living near Agra, in Philips County, Kan.; and four children
died in infancy. Jeremiah BALDWIN, a half-brother of our subject,
died in 1878.
- When Mr. JOHNSON was a little lad of seven years, the death
of his father occurred, and he
- went to live with his uncle, Herman BROWN, a farmer of Genesee
County, N.Y., remaining an inmate of his home until having attained
his twenty-first year. He received such educational advantages
as were afforded by the subscription schools, and in 1837 began
working on a farm near Byron, N.Y., in the employ of Curtis BENNEM,
with whom he remained for five years. At the expiration of that
time his marriage took place, and later he removed to Chautauqua
County, N.Y., where, in connection with his brother, he owned
and operated a farm of eighty acres. He, however, sold his interest
in 1844, and in June of that year emigrated to the West, landing
in Milwaukee, Wis. He then continued his journey by wagon until
he reached Rock County, where he has since made his home. The
farm on which he first located is one where he yet resides, having
there witnessed the growth and progress of the county, enduring
the trials and hardships of pioneer days, and witnessing the
development which has placed Rock County on a par with any in
this great commonwealth. His original farm comprised 101 acres,
only twenty of which was broken at the time of his purchase,
while the only improvement consisted of a rude log cabin. He
has since disposed of a part of it, his farm now comprising only
sixty-one acres.
- On the 24th day of October, 1842, our subject led to the
marriage altar Miss Louisa
- SHUMWAY, daughter of Elijah and Anna SHUMWAY. She as the
fourth in order of birth in a family of six children, but three
of whom are now living: Caroline married Curtis BENNEM; Elijah
is an old pioneer settler, residing in Johnstown Township; Rev.
Willard is a minister of the Christian Church, and is living
in Reedsburg, Wis.; Louisa was next in order of birth; Emily
became the wife of Ephraim CARY, and died in January, 1872; Elvira
married T. P. BARKER, who died Feb. 14, 1878, and her death occurred
on the 20th day of October, 1886.
- To Mr. and Mrs. JOHNSON the following children have been
born, four of whom yet survive;
- Carrie R. is at home with her father; she was a student of
Milton Academy, but on account of ill health was forced to abandon
her studies before completing the course. Miranda Ann is the
wife of W. W. JANES, a resident of Lima, and to them has been
born one child, Nina L.; Orland A. died Oct. 24, 1861; Willard
M. is engaged in operating the home farm, and is the husband
of Laura CARTER, daughter of Thomas and Arvilla CARTER, who are
natives of Chautauqua County, N.Y., but now reside in Rock County;
Alice M. is living at Lima with her sister; David L. died at
the home of his father, May 23, 1878. The mother of these children
was called to her final rest Sept. 29, 1884, at the age of sixty-five
years. She was a loving and considerate wife and mother, and
was held in high esteem by her many friends.
- In political sentiment, in early life, Mr. JOHNSON was a
supporter of the Whig party, and cast
- his first presidential vote for the hero of Tippecanoe. At
the organization of the Republican party, he joined its ranks,
and cast his last ballot for the grandson of that General, who
is now our chief executive. Religiously, he is a member of the
Freewill Baptist Church of North Johnstown. For forty-five years
he has been a resident of this county, gaining the love and respect
of all by his honorable, upright life, and among Rock County's
best citizens he is found in the foremost rank.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 246-247.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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