Henry C. Johnson

    Henry C. Johnson, lumber merchant, is a native of Champaign County, Ohio, was born January 26, 1826, and he is the eldest living child of John and Margaret (Hultz) Johnson, natives respectively of England and Ohio, and of German descent. John Johnson served his adopted country in the war of 1812, and received a severe bayonet wound in the arm from the effects of which he ever afterward suffered. The family moved to Vermillion County, Illinois in 1829, and were among the first settlers of that locality, where they died.

    Henry C. Johnson was reared in Vermillion County, Illinois, receiving only such education as the pioneer schools of that early day afforded -when greased paper was used for windows, the old-fashioned fireplaces for warmth, and puncheons for seats. In 1851, he came to Warren County to follow the occupation of schoolmaster, and for many terms he was engaged in this occupation and farming.

    In 1852, he married Helen M. Cronkhite, and in 1868 moved to Marshfield, Steuben Township, and engaged in the grocery and provision trade for a time, but afterward sold out his store and embarked in the lumber trade. In March, 1881, he removed to Williamsport, where he re-embarked in the lumber business, at which he has since been employed.

    Mr. Johnson is a Republican, a member of the Masonic Fraternity, and he and wife are members of the M. E. Church and the parents of five children -Emma, now Mrs. Z. J. Stinespring; Rebecca J., now Mrs. A. J. Clifton; Mary Ellen; Lora B., now Mrs. F. M. Wolfe and Albert.

Source: Counties of Warren, Benton, Jasper and Newton, Indiana. Historical and Biographical. F.A. Battey & Co., 1883.