Leander C. Johnson

LEANDER C. JOHNSON is one of the most intelligent and practical members of the farming community, who is building up and carrying on the agricultural interests of Shiloh Township, Jefferson County.

He was born February 20, 1835, at Vernon, Jennings County, Ind., and is the son of the Rev. John T. and Rachael (Prather) Johnson. The former was born in Gallatin, Sumner County, Tenn., August 13, 1805, and was a son of Lewis Johnson, who was born and reared in Louisa County, Va., and was there married to Frankie (Stone) Winn, widow of John Whin.

The grandfather of our subject was but nineteen years of age when he was married, and in the spring of 1819 he came with his family to Illinois, purchasing land and locating in this county. Besides superintending the operations of his farm, he was a preacher of considerable note and had charge of a Methodist Episcopal Church in Jefferson County. His son, John T., joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he continued a faithful and earnest member until his decease.

The father of our subject began preaching the Gospel in 1825, and after traveling for several years over the vast circuits of southern Illinois he was transferred to Indiana, where October 27, 1828, he was married. After traveling for many years in the Hoosier State, the parents of our subject came to Illinois with their only surviving child and located on a part of the old homestead, where they passed away after an active and useful life. The Rev. Mr. Johnson was a genial, companionable man, and as a preacher was plain, but lucid and sympathetic, lie was likewise a good business man, a desirable neighbor and a kind-hearted friend.

Mrs. Rachael Johnson was born in Clark County, Ind., December 25, 1807, and was a daughter of William Prather, who was born in Maryland and located in Clark County in 1799. Later he removed to Jennings County, that state, of which place he was one of the early settlers, and was there elected Judge in 1816. The mother of our subject departed this life January 30, 1894, in this county, after having reared a family of four children, of whom Leander C. is the only surviving member.

Our subject came to this county with his parents when a lad of eight years, his father at that time locating on a quarter-section of land, which was his share of the home farm. Here our subject grew to maturity and received a fair education.

February 17, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, Sixtieth Illinois Infantry, which regiment was accounted one of the foremost in the United States Volunteer service. He acted in the capacity of fifer of his company, and with it passed through all the battles in which it engaged, and was on guard and fatigue duty at Cairo. He was at Corinth when that city was evacuated, went with Sherman's army on the march to the sea, and participated in all the engagements from Chattanooga to Atlanta.

When mustered out of service at Louisville July 31, 1865, Mr. Johnson returned home and assumed the management of the home farm, his father being too old at that time to carry on the work. He has since remained on the home farm, which comprises one hundred and sixty acres of the finest farming land in the county.

Miss Martha J. Piper and our subject were united in marriage August 8, 1860. Mrs. Johnson is the daughter of Elijah Piper, one of the influential citizens of the county, and is widely known as having been Sheriff twice. He was a representative citizen, honest and upright in all his transactions, and as such had many friends throughout his section.

Of the seven children who came to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, six are living, viz.:

Ida A., now the wife of Angus Moss, a farmer of Shiloh Township;
Laura E., who married William C. Blair, the present Police Judge of Mt. Vernon;
Eva R., Mrs. Harry O. Goodale, of that city;
Mary E., the wife of John II. Barnes, of Howell, Ind.;
Ruth A., Mrs. Frank B. Menzer, of Mt. Vernon; and
Martha W., who resides at home.
Charles E. died at the age of three years.

Our subject is a Grand Army man, and as such is a member of Coleman Post No. 508, at Mt. Vernon. He is a Republican in politics, and for eight years held the office of Constable. The family are all members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and occupy a pleasant home, which is made bright and cheerful by the estimable wife and accomplished daughter.

"Portrait and Biographical Record of Clinton, Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, Illinois"
Published by Chapman Publishing Company of Chicago in 1894
Page 394-395
Submitted by Sandy (Whalen) Bauer