Like the Caseys and Maxeys, the Johnsons one and all have been prominent from the earliest settlement of the county.

Benjamin Johnson, the ancestor of our Jefferson county Johnsons, was a Marylander. John, a son of his, was the father of our pioneers.

Lewis, the son of this John Johnson, was among our very first settlers. He had nine children -

1. Milly,
2. Anna,
3. Lucy, married L.Foster and they lost their house by fire and their infant son was cremated;
4. James E. Johnson was the eldest son of Lewis. He was quite a preacher and improved the farm where John T. Johnson raised his family.
5. John T., the next oldest brother of James, was licensed to preach when but twenty years old. He joined the conference and took regular work.
6. Nicholas lived in Grand Prairie and died there.
7. Elizabeth married G. B. Afflack, of Richview.
8. Nancy married James Barnes, of Richview.
9. Susan married A. Witherspoon, and went to Kentucky.

James Johnson. second son of John, married Clarissa Maxey in Tennessee, and came here in 1818. His eldest son, John, married Sarah Hobbs and they were the parents of our present Dr. A. Curt, James D. and John N. Johnson, Mrs. Henry T. Waters and Mrs. David H. Summers.

He was an enterprising man, a physician, but chose rather to do other business. He merchandised and built several houses in Mount Vernon, among them the Johnson House, the big brick near the Methodist Episcopal church, in 1854. He died, much missed and lamented, in 1858.

John, the youngest brother of Lewis and James, came later, in 1834, and located in Mount Vernon. He died here in 1858.

His children were

1. Doctor T. B., who died in Kentucky in 1870;
2. the wife of Blackford Casey;
3. J. Fletcher;
4. Washington;
5. G. Wesley,
6. J. Benson,
7. a girl and
8. boy who died in childhood, and
9. Adam Clark, the faithful historian of the pioneers of Jefferson county.

John Johnson, "Uncle Jacky," as we knew him in our boyhood days, was ho-n in Virginia, in 1783-born in poverty and left an orphan. By the help of a slave he learned the alphabet, and after he was converted in his teens, he could not read intelligently. But by the light of pine knots he studied the Bible at night, after hard days' work, and on Sunday, at some cabin on the hillside he would proclaim the Gospel with a pathos and power that always carried the hearts of his rustic hearers by storm.

He had a voice of unusual power and could he beard two miles away. His discourses were brief, but always plain, practical and convincing. Yet with all his rugged vigor his heart was as tender as a woman's, with a sympathy that extended even to the insect at his feet. He was to all intents and purposes, a pioneer preacher of the Cartwright order, except that he had none of the great preacher's belligerency. He traveled the country from Ohio to Natchez, in Mississippi, and preached at every opportunity. His allotted work led him through much uninhabited country, among Indians, wild animals and equally wild men, but always trusting in the Lord. He was certainly a great preacher and a very remarkable man. Over sixty years ago we hear him preach from the text "What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" and we have never forgotten the text, the sermon, nor the man. His widow died here in 1895, and his sons are all gone, except Washington S.

The descendants of J. Fletcher and G. Wesley are still in our midst. and rank among our very best people. His death was peaceful, and triumphant. Many of his descendants are valued citizens of Mount Vernon.

"So fades a summer cloud away,
So sinks the gale when storms are over;
So gently shuts the eye of day.
So dies a wave along the shore.

SOURCE: Walls History of Jefferson County 1909
SUBMITTED BY: Misty Flannigan

Descendants of Benjamin Johnson

Generation No. 1

BENJAMIN1 JOHNSON was born in Maryland.

Child of BENJAMIN JOHNSON is:

1. JOHN2 JOHNSON, d. Abt. 1803.

Generation No. 2

1.JOHN2 JOHNSON (BENJAMIN1) died Abt. 1803.  He married (1) BETSEY TYLER.   He married (2) HANAH MEDLOCK.

Children of JOHN JOHNSON and BETSEY TYLER are:

1. LEWIS3 JOHNSON, d. January 1857.
2. JAMES JOHNSON, b. 1778, Louisa Co., Va; d. 1860.
3. BETSEY JOHNSON.
4. JOHN JOHNSON, d. 1858.

Generation No. 3

1. LEWIS3 JOHNSON (JOHN2, BENJAMIN1) died January 1857. He married STONE.

Children of LEWIS JOHNSON and STONE are:

1. MILLY4 JOHNSON, m. ASAHEL BATEMAN, TN.
2. ANNA JOHNSON, m. RANSOM MOSS, 1821.
3. LUCY JOHNSON, m. LAUNCELOT FOSTER.
4. JAMES E. JOHNSON.
5. JOHN T. JOHNSON.
6. NICHOLAS S. JOHNSON, m. MINERVA HOLLIDAY.
7. ELIZABETH JOHNSON, m. T.B. AFFLACK.
8. NANCY JOHNSON, m. JAMES BARNES.
9. SUSAN JOHNSON, m. W. G. WITHERSPOON.

2. JAMES3 JOHNSON (JOHN2, BENJAMIN1) was born 1778 in Louisa Co., Va, and died 1860.

He married (1) MRS. LIVINGSTON. He married (2) CLARRISSA MAXEY August 28, 1810 in TN, daughter of WILLIAM MAXEY and MARY ALLEN.

Notes for JAMES JOHNSON:

16 childen born to this couple. Five were born in TN. SOURCE: Fcts and Folks Jeff Co., Il 1978

More About CLARRISSA MAXEY:

Burial: Old Union Cem. , Jefferson Co., Illinois

Children of JAMES JOHNSON and CLARRISSA MAXEY are:

1. JOHN N.4 JOHNSON, d. 1858, Jefferson Co., IL.
2. WILLIAM FLETCHER JOHNSON, b. November 17, 1817; d. December 08, 1902.
3. LEWIS JOHNSON, b. March 11, 1811, Sumner Co., TN.
4. ABRAHAM C JOHNSON, b. January 19, 1836, Mt. Vernon, Jefferson Co, Illinois; d. December 17, 1917, St. Louis , St. Louis Co, Missouri.

More About ABRAHAM C JOHNSON:
Burial: December 18, 1917, Mt. Vernon , Jefferson, Illinois
5. JANE JOHNSON.
6. HERBERT JOHNSON.
7. HENRY JOHNSON.
8. THOMAS CASEY JOHNSON, b. June 14, 1827, Jefferson Co., Il;
d. September 19, 1898, Jefferson Co., Il.
9. MADONNA L. JOHNSON.
10. EMILY JOHNSON.
11. BETSY JOHNSON.
12. MALINDA JOHNSON.
13. KATY JOHNSON.
14. SALLY JOHNSON.
15. CLARRISSA JOHNSON.
16. GEORGE JOHNSON, b. December 12, 1828, Jefferson Co., Il; d. June 22, 1843.

3. BETSEY JOHNSON(JOHN2, BENJAMIN1) - nothing more is known.

4. JOHN3 JOHNSON (JOHN2, BENJAMIN1) died 1858.

Children of JOHN JOHNSON are:

1. T. B.4 JOHNSON, d. 1870, KY.
2. DAUGHTER JOHNSON.
3. J. FLETCHER JOHNSON.
4. WASHINGTON S. JOHNSON.
5. G. WESLEY JOHNSON.
6. J. BENSON JOHNSON.
7. DAU JOHNSON.
8. SON JOHNSON.
9. ADAM C. JOHNSON.

Generation No. 4

1. JOHN N. 4 JOHNSON (JAMES3, JOHN2, BENJAMIN1) died 1858 in  Jefferson Co., IL. He married SARAH HOBBS December 04, 1834.

Notes for JOHN N. JOHNSON:

1850 Jefferson Co census

1860 Jefferson Co census John Johnson gone by 1860 d. 1855-1860

Children of JOHN JOHNSON and SARAH HOBBS are:

1. JAMES D5 JOHNSON, b. 1838.
2. MARY JOHNSON, b. 1841.
3. CHLOE JOHNSON, b. 1844.
4. ALBA CURTIS JOHNSON, b. 1847.

2. WILLIAM FLETCHER4 JOHNSON (JAMES3, JOHN2, BENJAMIN1) was born  November 17, 1817, and died December 08, 1902.  He married LUCRETIA H HOBBS December 13, 1836.

Notes for WILLIAM FLETCHER JOHNSON:

Obituary William Fletcher JOHNSON

William Fletcher JOHNSON, was born of very pious parents, James and Clarissa MAXEY JOHNSON, in Sumner Co. Tennessee where the present city of Gallatin, now stands, on the 17th day of November 1817.

It is a pleasurable duty to write the obituary of such a man as this. When an infant his parents brought him to this county, settling in what is now Moore's Prairie township, near Lowery's Hill. In the fall of 1818, his parents moved from Moore's prairie and settled on the farm where the only surviving brother, Abraham T JOHNSON has ever lived. Here the subject of this obituary grew to manhood. He was the third son of a family of sixteen children. Eight sons and eight daughters, all of whom are dead but two, Mrs. Jane ARMOUR and Abraham T JOHNSON. He was married to Lucretia H HOBBS, December 13, 1836, and in the following spring settled on the farm where he ever afterwards lived. Here their children were born. John F. who died when about one year old, Martha E, Permelia C., James T., Druscilla J., William Henry, George D., and Mary C. In early life he professed religion. As a class leader he was careful and admonishing, as an exhorter he was especially fervent, instructive and upbuilding. He loved to sing the old Methodist hymns. As a Sunday school teacher and officer, he was ever at his post. As a citizen, he was loyal and true, a neighbor, kind and obliging; as a husband loving and kind. He loved his family and home. When he and Aunt Cretia moved into their humble pole cabin sixty-six years ago, they dedicated it in solemn prayer to Almighty God. As their children, eight in number, were born they dedicated them to God in Holy Baptism. As a steward of the church he was diligent and kind, often paying to the support of the ministry beyond his means, yet God blessed him and he was happy. His house was ever the home of the weary itinerant minister. He sweetly fell asleep in Jesus, at one thirty o'clock, December 8, 1902, aged eighty-five years and twenty one days. A good man has fallen, Peace to his blessed memory. Aunt Cretia, the wife of his youth, preceded him to the better land, May 4 1894. They were the last of the founders of Hopewell church. Virginia R. Black

Notes for LUCRETIA H HOBBS:

OBITUARY

Johnson, Lucretia Hobbs

At the age of 14 years she accompanied her parents to this county.

In 1837 she was united in marriage with W.F. Johnson, who still survives her. Eight children, seven of whom are still living, blessed this union, viz. John F., who died at one year of age, Mrs. Martha Burger, Mrs. P. C. Bates, J. T. Johnson, Mrs. D. J. Mcvey, W. H. Johnson, Geo. D. Johnson and Mary C. Johnson.

With the exception of Mrs. Mcvey who resides near Lamar, Colorado, all of the children reside in this county. The deceased was a sister of Mr. Thos. H. Hobbs of this city.

Her death resulted from the effects of a fall last August in which her hip was broken, and from the effects of which it was impossible to recover. She was a good woman, loved and esteemed by a wide circle of acquaintances and had lived to the good ripe age of 82 years.

The funeral occurred this forenoon at 11 o'clock, Elder J.D. Flint  conducting the services with interment at Hopewell Cemetery.

05-03-1894

Mt. Vernon Register NewsSubmitted by: Misty Flannigan
Aug 8, 1998

Children of WILLIAM JOHNSON and LUCRETIA HOBBS are:

1. JOHN F. JOHNSON.
2. MARTHA E JOHNSON, m. UNKNOWN BURGER.
3. PERMELIA C JOHNSON, m. BATES.
4. JAMES T JOHNSON.
5. DRUSCILLA J JOHNSON, m. MCVEY.
   Notes for DRUSCILLA J JOHNSON: At the time of her mothers obit she was residing in Lamur, CO.
6. WILLIAM HENRY JOHNSON.
7. GEORGE D JOHNSON.
8. MARY C. JOHNSON.

3. LEWIS JOHNSON (JAMES3, JOHN2, BENJAMIN1) was born March 11, 1811 in Sumner Co., TN. He married MARTHA HOBBS.

Notes for LEWIS JOHNSON:

DEATH OF LEWIS JOHNSON

Lewis JOHNSON, one of the pioneers of Jefferson county, died at his home, two miles north of the city at 5 o'clock this morning of uremic poisoning after an illness of less than a weeks duration.

Deceased was born in Sumner county, Tenn., near the present city of Gallatin, March 11th, 1811, consequently his age was 87 years, 9 months and 27 days at the time of his death.

He came to this state with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jas. JOHNSON, in 1818, the year of the admission of Illinois into the Union. In December 1831 he was married to Miss Martha H. HOBBS who died April 23, 1883. Of this union six children were born of whom Serena H. YOST, Lucretia HOLTSCLAW, Charlotte GOODALE and Emory FROST are the surviving members. Chloie died when about 10 years of age and Charlie died while in the service of his country as a soldier during the war of the Rebellion.

Mrs. YOST resides at Bosque, Brazos county, Tex., the other members of the family live in the county.

Nov. 23, 1887 Mr. Johnson ws married to Minerva Lee who survives to mourn his loss. Deceased man was of strong religious convictions and united with the M.E.church in 1822. He was ordained as a minister of the gospel by Bishop SIMPSON in 1850 and labored for many years as a local preacher in this and adjoining counties. Deceased was the oldest member of the family of which Abram C. JOHNSON, William Fletcher JOHNSON, Mrs. John R. SATTERFIELD and Mrs. Jane ARMOUR are the surviving members.

The funeral services will be held at Union school house at 10 o'clock tomorrow morning and will be conducted by Rev. J.F. Harmon. The interment will be at Old Union cemetery. Friends of family invited to the obsequies.

December 1, 1898 Mt. Vernon Register News
submitted by: Sharlet Bigham LaBarbera
Jan 22, 1998

Children of LEWIS JOHNSON and MARTHA HOBBS are:

1. SERENA H.5 JOHNSON.
2. LUCRETIA JOHNSON.
3. CHARLOTTE JOHNSON.
4. EMORY JOHNSON.
5. CLOHIE JOHNSON.
6. CHARLIE JOHNSON.

8. THOMAS CASEY4 JOHNSON (JAMES3, JOHN2, BENJAMIN1) was born June 14, 1827 in Jefferson Co., Il, and died September 19, 1898 in Jefferson Co., Il. He married SARAH FROST January 14, 1847 in Jefferson Co., Il, daughter of JOSEPH FROST.

Notes for THOMAS CASEY JOHNSON:

Thomas Casey Johnson died at his home, two and a half miles north of town, at 7:30 last night of a complication of disease after an illness of two or three months duration.

Deceased ws born on the homestead where he died, June 14, 1827, and was the next to the youngest of a large family of which the surviving members are Lewis, William, and Abe Johnson, Mrs. Betsy Satterfield and Mrs. Jane Armour.

January 14, 1847 he was married to Miss Sarah Frost from which union eight children were born, all of whom are living except one son who died in infancy.

Mr. Johnson was one of the pioneers of the county and was widely known and respected.

The children of the deceased are Mrs. Emma Byard, Mrs. Eliza Petit, Mrs. Laura Beal, Mrs. Alice Cherry, Mrs. Lucy Hershey, Mrs. Ella Rine and John A. Johnson.

The funeral was held at the family residence at 3 o'clock this afternoon under the direction of Rev. J. C. Kinnison and the pastor of the M. E. church at Woodlawn. Interment was at Old Union cemetery.

September 19, 1898 Mt. Vernon Register News
submitted by: Sharlet Bigham LaBarbera
Oct 27, 1997

Children of THOMAS JOHNSON and SARAH FROST are:

1. EMMA5 JOHNSON.
2. ELIZA JOHNSON.
3. LAURA JOHNSON.
4. ALICA JOHNSON.
5. LUCY JOHNSON.
6. ELLA JOHNSON.
7. JOHN A. JOHNSON.

The above family information was compiled by Misty Flannigan (no relation to family) and was taken from Biographies, obituaries , LDS etc