- J. J. JOHNSON, one of the early settlers of this county,
residing in the town of Clinton, is a
- self-made man, having by his own efforts risen from a humble
position until he is now numbered among the well-to-do farmers
and extensive land owners of Southern Wisconsin. He is a native
of the Empire State, having been born in Cortland County on the
29th day of July, 1811, and is the son of George I. and Bersheba
JOHNSON who were the parents of nine children, all of whom, with
the exception of our subject, have passed away.
- J. J. JOHNSON, whose name heads this sketch, grew to manhood
in his native county where
- he received such educational advantages as were generally
afforded to farmers' sons at that date. In 1837, he there led
to the marriage altar Miss Catherine TROWBRIDGE, a daughter of
Seth and Lucretia (SPOOR) TROWBRIDGE, the former a native of
Connecticut and the latter of the Bay State. In an early day
her parents emigrated to Cortland County, where they were numbered
among the early settlers. Unto them were born thirteen children,
but of that once numerous family, only three are now living.
- In 1855 accompanied by his wife and children, Mr. JOHNSON,
with a view of bettering his
- financial condition, came to the West and settled in Rock
County, Wis., on what is now known as Jefferson Prairie, where
he purchased eighty acres of land. That formed the nucleus of
his present fine farm and to it he added until he landed possession
aggregated 436 acres, 340 of which he still owns, having disposed
of the other ninety-six acres. His pleasant home with its entire
surroundings indicates thrift and refinement, the improvements
are all that is necessary to the model farm of the nineteenth
century and his stock is of the best grades. Mr. JOHNSON's life
has been one of industry, and by his perseverance, energy and
good management, he has accumulated his large property. In political
sentiment, he is now Independent, voting for the men and not
for the party. For many years he supported the Greenback party
and feels a pride in being numbered among its adherents. He
is bitterly opposed to the National Bank system; claiming that
any banking law based upon the indebtedness of a country is detrimental,
and that it is a swindle upon the people.
- For more than half a century Mr. and Mrs. JOHNSON have traveled
life's journey together and
- no couple residing within the boundaries of Rock County are
held in higher regard or are more worthy the respect and confidence
of their friends. Their union has been blessed with four children,
as follows: Ellen is now the wife of Ira HASTINGS, a resident
of Aberdeen, Dakota, and to them have been born four children,
Perrine H., Arthur, Katie and Paul; J. L., who still makes his
home in this county, married Miss Emma ELETHORP and they are
now the parents of six children, Truer, Carrie, Beulah, Pearl,
Maud and Katie; Seth, a resident farmer of the town of Clinton
wedded Miss Emma BABCOCK, by whom he has two children, Robbie
and Harry; Beulah, who is an accomplished lady and a graduate
of Lawrence University, of Appleton, Wis., married DeWitt I.
JOHNSON, and by their union three children have been born - DeWitt
S., Bryant and Beulah. Mrs. JOHNSON, the mother of this family,
who was a most estimable lady, died on the 4th day of November,
1881.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 480-481.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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