Notes for William Ferdinand Johnson

Notes for William Ferdinand Johnson

!US Census 1850 (28 October) Missouri, Lincoln Co., District 49, Roll M432_404, Page 459A, House No. 961, Lines 35-42: William F. Johnson (b. 1816 - 34 - in PA - Occ: Farmer - Property Value $1900) married to Isabella (b. 1818 - 32 - in VA). Children listed are: Sarah A. (dau b. 1838 - 12 - in VA); Luther P. (son b. 1840 - 10 - in IA); Ann R. (dau b. 1843 - 7 - in IA); William R. (son b. 1845 - 5 - in IA); John (son b. 1847 - 3 - in IA); and Edgar W. (son b. 1849 - 1 - in MO)

!US Census 1860 (4 August) Iowa, Des Moines Co., Flint River Township, Roll M653_319, Sheet 235, Page 1029, House No. 1673, Lines 1-11: William Johnson (b. 1816 - 44 - in MD - Occ: Farmer - Property Value $8100 + $1810) married to Isabella (b. 1817 - 43 - in VA). Children listed are: Louisa (dau b. 1838 - 22 - in VA); Luther (son b. 1840 - 20 - in IA - Occ: Farmer); Anna (dau b. 1843 - 17 - in IA); William (son b. 1845 - 15 - in IA - Occ: Farmer); John (son b. 1847 - 13 - in IA); Edgar (son b. 1849 - 11 - in IA); Denton (son b. 1851 - 9 - in IA); Christopher (son b. 1853 - 7 - in IA); and Susanna (dau b. 1856 - 4 - in IA)

!US Census 1870 (8 July) Iowa, Des Moines Co., Flint River Township, Roll M593_388, Sheet 6, Page 474B, House No. 38, Lines 10-17: Wm. F. Johnson (b. 1815 - 55 - in PA - Occ: Farmer - Property Value $15,000 + $2,875) married to Mary E. (b. 1830 - 40 - in OH). Children listed are: Edgar W. (son b. 1849 - 21 - in MO - Occ: Farm Laborer); Denton (son b. 1851 - 19 - in IA - Occ: Farm Laborer); Christopher (son b. 1853 - 17 - in IA - Occ: Farm Laborer); Susie B. (dau b. 1856 - 14 - in IA); and Mattie (dau b. 1861 - 9 - in IA). ALSO LISTED is: John Caslon (b. 1855 - 15 - in IL - Occ: Farm Laborer)

!Marshall Co., WV Marriages, 1835-1889 Sorted Alphabetically by Bride; Compiled by T. Vernon Anderson; (Book 1 page 8): Johnson, William married to Parrott, Isabelle on 04 MAY 1837

!Helen Parrott Foreman, "A Parrott-Newell Family History" With annotations by Susanne Wilson Sachs in 1972: - Occupation: Farmer, Stockbreeder

!Portrait and biographical album of Prominent Citizens of Des Moines County, Iowa; Acme Publishing Company; Chicago 1888: WILLIAM F. JOHNSON, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser residing on section 33, Flint River Township, was born in Bedford County, Pa. April 12, 1815, and is a son of Joshua and Sarah (Burbridge) Johnson, the father of a native of Washington Co. Md., the mother of Hampshire County, W. Va. The mother of our subject was the second wife of Joshua Johnson, their marriage being celebrated Jan. 13, 1811, in Hampshire County, W. Va. Six children were born to them: Rosanna became the wife of William Larmer, and both have been called to their final rest; Benjamin, born Nov. 18, 1813, died Sept. 20, 1840; Wm. F., our subject; Louisa, born Nov. 9, 1817, died Sept. 2, 1840; Washington, Born July 1, 1816, died in California in 1866 -his wife, formerly Catherine Cartwright, is still residing in North Bloomfield, that State; Denton, born in May, 1820, died Sept. 28, 1840. Louisa, Denton and Benjamin all died in September, 1840, of typhoid fever. At that time five of the family were sick with that disease, it proving fatal to the three above mentioned.
Joshua Johnson was throughout his life a farmer. He was one of the leading men of Bedford County, Pa., having been elected to the State Senate several terms and serving many years as Justice of the Peace. Charitable, benevolent and kind, he was always ready to aid the needy, comfort the sorrowing, and, to his own disadvantage, often tided a friend over financial difficulties. A kind and indulgent husband, a loving father, a good neighbor, his death, which occurred Dec. 1, 1832, was sincerely mourned by all. His wife departed this life June 7, 1836, on Marshall County, (now) W. Va. She was a devoted Christian woman, teaching her children that the Bible was the only safe guide, impressing upon their minds the necessity of a truthful, righteous and temperate life. She was a woman of good business judgement, refined and intellectual and highly respected by all.
The early life of our subject was spent upon a farm. Such education as could be obtained was received in the subscription schools. At the age of sixteen he was thrown upon his own resources, working for thirty-seven and a half cents per day. On the 4th of May, 1837, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage with Isabella W. Parriott, who was born in Marshall County, now a part of West Virginia, March 9, 1817, and was a daughter of William and Susanna Parriott, of Hampshire County, W. Va. In 1838, Mr. Johnson, with his young wife and one child, Sarah Louisa, born Feb. 27, 1838, made the trip from Wheeling W. Va. to Burlington by boat. Purchasing a claim of 200 acres on section 33, Flint River Township, they began making a home. The old log cabin then erected has long since given place to a fine frame residence, though the memory of it is still dear, for there the children were born, namely Luther, who was born Dec 28, 1839, wedded Mrs. Lockard, for his first wife, and his present wife was Belle Steele; Denton died in infancy; Annie R., born Jan. 7, 1843, became the wife of William White, a resident of Mt. Pleasant, and two children, John and Harry, grace their union; William R. born Feb. 3, 1845, died in January, 1888; John, born Dec. 9, 1846, wedded Miss Littler, of Illinois, and is now shipping clerk on the I. B. & W.R.R, with headquarters at Indianapolis, Ind., Edgar W., born Jan 6, 1849, married Elizabeth Ingram, daughter of John and Sarah Ingram, and to whom were born four children - Grace, Edna, Mattie and Horace; Denton, born March 2, 1851, wedded Miss Frank Parr, of Burlington, and one child, Frederick, has blessed their union; Denton died Jan 4, 1870; Christopher, born Dec. 26, 1852, married Miss McMaken, and to them were born four children: Susan, born April 22, 1856, is a teacher in Boise City, Idaho; Mattie, born Feb 27, 1861, is also a teacher of marked ability, occupying the position of high-school teacher in Boise City. She was offered the same position in the Burlington schools, Des Moines Co. Iowa but, thinking perhaps that the climate would be beneficial to her health, decided to go West.
Mrs. Johnson departed this life April 19, 1863. When quite young she united with the Methodist Church and was very active in church work. Mr. Johnson was again married, Jan 23, 1867, to Miss Mary E. Burke, who was born in Butler County, Ohio, July 13, 1829, and is a daughter of Lyman Burke, a native of Baltimore, Md. Her family emigrated to Des Moines County, Iowa, in the fall of 1851, settling in Flint River Township
Perseverance is the key to the fortress of success and its portals now stand open to Mr. Johnson. Difficulties have been overcome, obstacles have been surmounted, and he is now able to rest after the wearisome labors of former years. Words are too feeble to praise such men, who, through industry, energy and economy, have for themselves a competence and helped to build up a nation. Mr. Johnson is a strong advocate of the temperance cause. The promise to abstain from all intoxicating drinks, given to his mother on bended knees during his childhood, has never been broken. He is now an old man of seventy-three years, but his drink has been only God's beverage - water. He regards this act with more pleasure and consolation than any other of his life. In all his life he has never used tobacco in any farm. Such a record any one might well be proud of. The political principles supported by Mr. Johnson in early life were those of the Whig party. He became a supporter of the Republican party at its organization, has never swerved in his allegiance, and does not believe that the party has outlived its usefulness. During the past six years Mr. Johnson's health has been failing; his work here is nearly completed and he is ready for his Master's call. Mrs. Johnson, too, has been afflicted for the past two years and is unable to do her own work. They are both members of the Methodist Church, and are held in high esteem by all who know them.