WILLIAM B. JOHNSON, who is engaged in merchandising in Wynoose, is a native
of the Buckeye State. He was born in Lebanon, Warren County, Ohio, February 26,
1846, and is a son of M. H. Johnson, long a resident of Noble, Richland County.
His father was also born in Ohio. He was a cabinet-maker by trade, but later in
life followed farming. In the State of his nativity he married Elizabeth
Compton, and after her death wedded Mary Leffler, who was born in New Jersey. In
Warren County, Ohio, he began farming, but in 1863 removed to Richland County,
locating on a farm north of Noble. He engaged in hotel-keeping and merchandising
in Noble for a number of years, but in 1892 went to Wayne County, where he is
now living at the age of seventy-two years. In politics, he was first a Whig,
but since its organization has been a supporter of the Republican party. In
religious belief he is a Universalist.
In the Johnson family were nine
children, seven of whom are living. Our subject spent his boyhood with his
parents, being reared to manhood on a farm and acquiring his education in the
public schools. He first came to Illinois in the autumn of 1862, but returned to
Ohio, and on the 27th of January, 1863, enlisted in the Fifty-ninth Ohio
Infantry. He ran away from home to enter the service, for he was then a lad of
only sixteen years. He was assigned to Company A, and went to the battle-ground
of Stone River. He joined his regiment at Strawberry Plains and then started on
the Atlanta campaign, during which he participated in the battles of Resaca and
Rocky Face Ridge. At New Hope Church, near Dallas, May 27, 1864, he was wounded,
his left ear being shot off and his head injured. He was then sent to the
hospital in New Albany, Ind., and later went home on a furlough. Subsequently,
he returned to his regiment in Tullahoma, Tenn., where the regiment was
disbanded except Companies I and K, when Mr. Johnson was transferred to Company
I. He took part in the siege of Nashville and the battle of Murfreesboro, and
received his discharge at Louisville, July 19, 1865, being mustered out as
Sergeant.
Returning to Noble, Mr. Johnson was married November 15, 1865,
to Miss Mary B. Newcomer, a native of Ashland County, Ohio. Her parents, Henry
and Catherine (Hershey) Newcomer, were originally from Pennsylvania, and came to
Illinois in 1865. He then located on a farm near Franconia, and has lived in
different parts of the county, but for fourteen years has been a resident of
Decker Township. In 1889 he went to Wynoose and bought out a stock of general
merchandise, and is now doing business along that line and enjoys a good trade.
He has also served as Postmaster of Wynoose, and owns a good farm, which is now
occupied by his son. James H., the eldest of the family, is foreman in the
postal telegraph business; William F. operates a farm; Mrs. Hattie Garland is
living in Greenville, Bond County; and the younger members of the family, Kate,
Lillie, Pearl and Bertha, are still at home.
Although he had not then
attained his majority, Mr. Johnson cast his first Presidential vote for Lincoln
in 1864, and has since been a strong advocate of the Republican party. He
manifests considerable interest in political affairs and does all in his power
for the growth and upbuilding of his party. He has served as Assessor and
Commissioner of Highways, discharging his duties with promptness and fidelity.
Socially, he is a member of Wynoose Post No. 704, G. A. R., in which he is
serving as Quartermaster, and for several years was connected with the Masonic
fraternity of Noble. Mr. Johnson has a wide acquaintance in Richland County and
is a highly-respected man. In his business dealings he has been quite
successful, and as a result of his well-directed efforts has gained a
comfortable competence.
Extracted 12 Apr 2020 by Norma Hass from 1893 Portrait and Biographical Record of Effingham, Jasper and Richland Counties, Illinois, pages 230-231.
| Jasper | Crawford | |
| Clay |
 |
Lawrence |
| Wayne | Edwards | Wabash |
