Randolph County Indiana Biographies Surnames Starting with J
Farmland Express, September 21, 1904 - Rev. I. V. D. R. Johnson died at his home in Farmland, Indiana September 21, 1904 after a brief illness. He was born in Washington Twp., Randolph Co., Indiana December 3, 1843. His father, John Johnson came to this county from North Carolina in 1819 at the age of 7 years and married Miss Phoebe Thornburg, a daughter of Joseph and Rachael Thornburg, also a native of North Carolina. From the farm where he spent his early life I.V.D.R. Johnson enlisted in the 67th Indiana Volunteer Infantry under Col. Tom Bennett and served until honorably discharged at Mobile, Alabama , July 1865. He was wounded at Baker's Creek Mills, Mississippi and also fought at Richmond, Kentucy, Chicksaw Bluff, Arkansas Post, Champion Hills, Jackson, Mississippi and many minor engagements. After the war he resumed his work on the farm and married Martha A., daughter of Ezra and Minerva (Rogers) Vandergriff, of New Jersey, on October 28, 1865. To this union were born eleven children; an infant deceased, Phebe A., deceased, Willam G. who now lives at Dayton, Ohio, Sarah E., wife of Wm. H. Meranda, Amanda M, deceased, Effie, wife of Harvey Guthrie of Winchester, Elmer and Edna, deceased, Ora S. and John A., farmers in Washington Twp. and Martha, deceased. Mrs. Martha Johnson died Aug 23, 1884, a devoted member of the Christian church and September 12, 1885 Mr. Johnson married Abigail Osborn, who died in January 1900. In December 1901 Mr. Johnson was married to Margaret Painter who survives him. Mr. Johnson became a minister of the Christian church in 1871 and has had regular work since that time, and he has preached more than 1,000 funeral services. As a soldier he was brave and fearless, as a christian he was always found at his place of duty. Hospitable to a friend and stranger, a kind husband and father and ever willing to aid in any laudable undertaking that has for its aim the elevation and improvement of society, he has won the respect and esteem of the entire community. He was elected treasurer of Randolph County in 1888 and served two years. He was a member of Masonic lodge No. 223 at Farmland , a member of the Odd Fellows and a member of the G.A.R. at the same place. Funeral services will be conducted at the Christian church here today (Friday) at 2 p. m. by Rev. A. O. Harris and Rev. R. P. Arrick.
(The September 28th issue of the Farmland Enterprise has a small picture of I.V.D.R. It further stated that besides his companion he leaves 3 sons, 1 daughter, 16 grandchildren, a step mother and 2 brothers, Elihu, living in Washington Twp. and George W. living in Eaton, Indiana who has worked side by side with the deceased in the gospel ministry for 24 years. He also leaves 3 half brothers and 3 half sisters.)
(Note - Of the four given names for I.V.D.R. I have only been able to discover the first which was Isaac. Elihu T. Johnson, his brother named a son Isaac Van Doren Johnson. My best guess is that I.V.D.R. was named Isaac Van Doren R. Johnson (the jury is still out on the "R".) Throughout his life he used only the four initials. There is some problem with this obituary over the birthplace of his father and mother. Both the 1860 and 1870 Census give the birth of both as being in Ohio.)
From - William G. Cutler's History of the State of Kansas
First published in 1883 by A. T. Andreas, Chicago, IL.
Franklin County --
ALFRED JOHNSON , of Bateman & Johnson, merchants, was born in Randolph County, Ind., August 16, 1833. He learned trade of plasterer, and followed that occupation in connection with farming pursuits for a livelihood. In April, 1856, he came to Kansas, locating in Douglas County, and took an active hand in the troubles of 1856, supporting the Free-state party. In March 1857, he came to Franklin County, and was one of the organizers of the town site of Peoria, where he has since resided. He was the first to engage in mercantile business at this place, carrying a stock of general merchandise up to 1859. In 1861 he became associated with his present partner, William Bateman. In June, 1862, Mr. J. was appointed a recruiting officer, and recruited Company D, of the Twelfth Kansas Infantry of which he was elected Second Lieutenant. Was promoted to First Lieutenant in the fall of 1863, and to Captain early in 1865. Was mustered out in July, 1865. The firm own 1,200 acres of land, and are largely engaged in farming and cattle raising. Mr. Johnson was appointed Postmaster at this place in 1857; held it two years. Was re-appointed in 1872, and is the present incumbent. He was married in Peoria, November 27, 1879, to Florence M. Carey. They have two children--Lela and one infant daughter.
From - William G. Cutler's History of the State of Kansas
First published in 1883 by A. T. Andreas, Chicago, IL.
Franklin County --
DAVID JOHNSON
, farmer and dealer in hogs, P. O. Peoria, was born in West Virginia, September 22, 1819, and seven years later his parents moved to Randolph County, Ind. At twenty-one years of age he learned trade of plasterer, and in connection with farming pursuits, followed that occupation for a livelihood in that County up to September, 1860, when he came to Franklin County, locating in the town of Peoria. He farmed and carried on a hotel business for about twenty-one years. In 1881 he moved to his present farm in Peoria Township. Mr. Johnson has 326 acres of land in the County, is an enterprising farmer, and is also engaged in raising and dealing in hogs, making a specialty of producing the Berkshire breed. During the war he served in the Kansas State Militia. The subject of our sketch was married in Randolph County, Ind., March 12, 1853, to Jane B. Thompson. They have two children--Catherine, now Mrs. George S. Fisher, and John T.