Volume 7, Number 4 - Summer 1980
Two Johnson Families of Taney County, Missouri
By Vera Wood
Isaac N. Johnson and James C. Johnson, brothers and native Kentuckians, came with their families to Taney County, Missouri in 1869. They became well known citizens of the county and left many descendants in the area.
Their father, Henry Johnson, was born February 1, 1800 in Middletown, Middlesex County, Connecticut. He was a son of Calvin Johnson and Abis Roberts-Miller, and a grandson of Seth Johnson, a soldier in the Revolution.
Their mother was Martha Wood, born May 14, 1809 in Cumberland County, Kentucky, a daughter of John Wood & Sarah Crouch, natives of Washington County, North Carolina, (now in East Tennessee) and a granddaughter of Samuel & Sarah Wood, and James & Agness Crouch.
Henry and Martha Johnson were married in 1825 in Cumberland County, Kentucky and made their home on a branch of Wolf River, not far from the Tennessee state line. There they raised a family of eleven: John, William, Calvin, Isaac, Julianne, Abijah, James, Sarah, Moriah, Martha and Laura.
With the outbreak of the Civil War, Tennessee joined the Confederacy and loyal Kentuckians were pitted against their neighbors. A former peaceful valley became a land of terror when Union and Confederate troups came through, fighting and foraging. Bands of guerrillas rode in to plunder and loot for personal gain, and residents who resisted were threatened or murdered. Property of value was carried off or burned, leaving the citizens terrified and destitute. Henry Johnson’s sons took up arms in defense of their homes and the Union. When his son William was ambushed and murdered while home on furlough, it became apparent that soldier’s families bore the brunt of these attacks and that they should seek refuge elsewhere. As they had relatives in Illinois, they headed northward. After a long and hazardous journey they arrived in Sadorus, Champaign Co. early in 1863. Martha Johnson died December 7, 1865 & Laura, her youngest daughter, four months later. Both are buried in Old Sadorus Cemetery. As the older sons were all married with families, Henry Johnson returned to Kentucky with the younger girls. In April of 1869, he married his maiden sister-in-law, Ann Wood. He died April 4, 1885, Ann died July 20, 1901. Both are buried in the Peolia Cemetery near Albany, Kentucky.
Perhaps Isaac and James Johnson read of the wooded, rolling hills and clear streams of southwest Missouri, and of the easily obtained homesteads in that still sparsely populated region. Instead of returning to the land of their birth, they came west for a new beginning in Missouri.
Isaac Newton (Newt) Johnson, oldest of the two brothers, was born September 6, 1833, and in boyhood learned the satisfaction of tilling the soil and remained a farmer throughout his life. He married in Clinton County, Kentucky, October 16, 1860, Nancy Jane Harbor, (born 24 February 1839 to Thomas and Mary (Smith) Harbor,). Their first child, born October 21, 1861, was named Elbert Newton. When the family went to Illinois Nancy Jane rode horseback with her young son on her lap, while Isaac and the other younger men walked in the woods to escape notice if any rebel soldiers should way-lay the travelers. While this family lived in Illinois, three daughters were born: Mariah Ward (Mar.13, 1864), Mary Ellen (Jan. 18, 1867) and Martha (Oct. 4, 1869).
In Taney County, Newt Johnson settled in Swan Township, where he purchased a farm of 80 acres up Hodge Hollow, on which there was a two room log house. This was some three miles west of old Swan Postoffice. In November of 1875, he added 160 adjoining acres when his application for homestead land was approved.
[8]
During the next few years four more children were added to the family; Julia Ann (Sep. 2, 1872), Marion Isaac (Feb. 4, 1875), James Harbor (Dec. 14, 1878) and Laura (Apr. 12, 1884). To accommodate this large family the room made of round logs was torn down and a new house was built around the hewed log part. The other children married but Martha, Julia and Laura, often ref erred to as "the Johnson girls" remained at home to take care of their elderly parents. Martha and Julia doing most of the outdoor work on the farm, while Laura did the housework and prepared meals. Isaac Newton Johnson died January 4, 1916, and his wife, Nancy Jane (Harbor) Johnson died December 12, 1923. Both are buried in Baker Cemetery near Swan,
Their children were;
Elbert Newton Johnson married in 1884, Louisa Clark-Smith (b. Oct.11, 1858 to Wm. Franklin & Martha (Hammond) Clark) Elbert died January 15, 194?, Louisa died January 21, 1943, both are buried in Baker Cemetery, Taney County.
Children:
1. Elijah, m. Elizabeth Thompson,
2. Glessie Bray,
3. Nita Harshaw
2. Lydia, m. Frank Parrill
3. Viola, unmarried
4. Isaac Wesley, m. Neoma Parrill
5. Ella, m. Ira Gibson
6. Elbert,Jr. m. Nellie Gibson
Moriah Ward Johnson married William Dummitt, and 2nd, Rice P. Clements.
Children:
1. Retta Dummitt
2. James Clements
3. Roscoe Clements
4. Lawrence Clements
5. Harry Clements
6. Irl Clements
7. Lora Clements
Mary Ellen Johnson married 1887, John Franklin Morgan (b. Sep. 27, 1854, son of Alfred & Nancy Jane (Mills) Morgan). Mary Ellen died January 20, 1893 leaving three children:
1. James Walter Morgan m. Ella Clark
2. Arthur Love Morgan m. __________
3. Myrtle Morgan m. John Ervin Clark
Marion Isaac Johnson married in 1899, Nellie Couchman, and soon went to the state of Washington to live. Nellie died in 1928 and Marion Isaac 1958.
Their children were James, Myrtle, Velma and Wesley, order of birth not known.
Martha Jane Johnson died 1937
Julia Ann Johnson died 1964
James Harbor Johnson died 1903
Laura Johnson died 1968
The above four were unmarried and died and were buried in Taney County.
James Crouch Johnson, youngest of the brothers was more widely known, being a doctor and public servant for many years in Taney Co. Born August 5, 1840 in Clinton County, Kentucky, he was named for his great-grandfather James Crouch, but was often called J.C. He was of slender build, with fair complexion, blonde hair and mustache. Altho his early life was spent on his father’s farm, he had an inquiring mind and found books more to his liking than a plow. After attending the schools of the county until in his teens, he procured the necessary certificate and taught, until romance entered his life. On July 9, 1860, James C., not yet 20,and his sweetheart Sarah Elizabeth Groce, just 18, rode to nearby Jamestown, Tennessee, where they were married by a Justice of the Peace. Sarah’s younger brother and sister, James and Victoria Groce, went along to witness the ceremony. Sarah Elizabeth was born October 26, 1841 in Clinton County, Kentucky, to Pleasant William Groce and his first wife the former Martha Lee.
The newlyweds made their first home in Clinton County, and on May 9, 1861, a son was born to them who they named Pleasant William Johnson.
James, or J.C., enlisted in the Union Army shortly after the war between the states erupted, and was in the battle of Mill Springs. Never a robust man, the rigors of military life took their toll, and he became ill and was sent home. Upon arrival he learned his older
[9]
brother William had been murdered by guerrilla while home on furlough, and the family was preparing to go to Illinois. He and his family joined them.
While living in Illinois James again taught school and the family was increased by three: Martha Adelaide (Mar. 18, 1863), John Henry (May 11, 1865) & Sarah Elizabeth (June 15, 1867). After James’ mother, sister and a young son, all died in less than two years, he determined the area was unhealthy and desired to leave. Upon hearing of the many opportunities in southwest Missouri, he became anxious to move there.
James Crouch Johnson settled at Swan, in Taney County, which at that time was a flourishing community. There he had a little store and was made postmaster. Being kind hearted, he could not refuse a poor man’s request, which resulted in too much credit and not enough money to pay his own debts. However, he was a man of character who believed in meeting his obligations. Rounding up a number of horses on credit, he hired men to help drive them into Arkansas, where they were sold for enough to pay the debts with a little left for another start. He obtained a farm on Beaver Creek, which he sold to purchase another in what was referred to as Roller Hollow. James, with the help of his ten year old son, Pleasant William, cleared the land and planted fruit trees and crops. There were continuous chores each day and it was soon apparent that he was not happy on a farm. Having been a school teacher, he liked people, and working with the public, so in 1872 he ran for, and was elected, Sheriff and Collector of Taney County. (The offices being combined at that time.) Three more children were born during this period: Laura Olive (Apr.15, 1870), Mahala Ann (Jan.14, 1873) and James Jr. (Aug. 29, 1875).
In 1874, James C. Johnson was elected State Representative from his county, a position he filled three terms. During this time he finished his study of medicine and was awarded a diploma from a St. Louis medical college. This allowed him to become actively engaged in the practice of medicine, a profession which had interested him since childhood. In 1894, he was elected Clerk of the Circuit Court and Recorder of Deeds, serving for a period of eight years. He was induced to again make the primary race for Recorder in 1906, and altho stricken with pneumonia and unable to campaign, he was nominated. He grew steadily worse with complications until November 23, 1906 he passed on. In the eleven months of his last illness "Mammy Johnson nursed "Pappy", hardly leaving his bedside.
Sarah (Groce) Johnson was a good neighbor, admired by young and old, pleasant and uncomplaining, loved by all who knew her. Tho her eyes grew dim, her warm-hearted interest and sympathy remained strong and vital. She lived in the home at Forsyth with her unmarried daughter Laura until her ninety-second year when she suffered a stroke and died 15 January 1934.
James Crouch Johnson and Sarah Elizabeth (Groce) Johnson are buried in Old Forsyth Cemetery, Forsyth, Mo.
Their children were:
Pleasant William Johnson,called Pleas or P.W., married 1880, Mary Victoria Lee, (b. May 13, 1862, dau of Richard and Sarah Elizabeth (Stillings) Lee). Pleas homesteaded 160 acres in Roller Hollow, put up a rough oak, one room cabin with a lean-to kitchen, a barn with a corn crib over the stalls, and fenced the yard and garden area. But, as very little of his acreage was tillable he put in crops on his father’s farm, working hard to eke out a meager living for his increasing family. Altho the people of the Taney County hills were then equally poor, more kindly neighbors could not be found.
[10]
When sickness visited a neighbor, Mary Victoria, and other women would rush to the bedside by day or night. Pleas, and the menfolk helped by turning out with cradles to save the crops. In the fall of 1913, Pleas and wife, with Sons Albert and Henry, went to Olympia Washington, where they made their home until death called, Mary Victoria on Sept. 3, 1927 and Pleas, July 8, 1945.
They had the following children:
1. Dora Alta married J.C.L. McKnight
2. Sara Adelaide m. A. J. Brazeal
3. James R. died young
4. John A.L. died as an infant
5. Mary Elizabeth m. S. Blattner
6. Albert Ray m. Mrs. Anna Merrial
7. Henry Err m. Florence Weatherman
8. Troy died as an infant
Martha Adelaide Johnson married Wesley Cross in 1886. (b. Feb.28, 1855 son of James & Martha Riley-Cross) Martha and West, as he was known, lived near Bradleyville, then moved to Christian County where they remained until West died Nov. 29, 1935 and Martha on May 8, 1939. Their children:
1. John Henry Cross, m. 1st Jessie Blurton, 2nd Josephine Nelson.
2. James Blame Cross, died young.
3. Sarah Elizabeth Cross, married Fred Caudle. (no children)
4. Oliva Cross, m. Morris Coover.
5. Andrew Jackson Cross, m. Lilly Witty.
6. Ross Johnson Cross, died young.
7. Dorsey C. Cross
8. Delpha T. Cross, m. Roscoe McTeer
9. Sallie Johnson Cross m Ray Bozell
John Henry Johnson died aged 2 years.
Sarah Elizabeth Johnson married 1893, Charles M. Bunch (b. 1865, to Simeon and Martha(Jackson) Bunch) They had one son who died as an infant, after which they moved to Roswell, New Mex. where he died in 1943 and Sarah, 1960.
Laura Olive Johnson did not marry, but worked in her father’s office when he was Recorder of Deeds, and continued there after his death. She died 1957.
Mahala Ann Johnson, married 1892, Andrew J. Hicks (b. 186?, Rock Spgs., Georgia, to Thomas and Sarah(Phillips) Hicks). A. J. Hicks taught many years in Taney County schools. The family later went to Oklahoma where Mahala died June 30,1920 and A.J. in 1950.
Their children:
1. Cuma Hicks, m. Arthur C. Bort
2. Troy Hicks, m. Allie Mae West
3. Victor Hicks, in. Caroline Kruinm
James Crouch Johnson, Jr., married 1896, Emma Felton (b. Oct. 1, 1874 to Benjamin and Martha (Abbott) Felton). J.C. Johnson, Jr. served a short term as Postmaster, later moving to Montana then went to Washington state where James, Jr. died April 22, 1952 and Emma died in January of 1971.
Their children:
1. Chauncey F Johnson m Marie Berwert.
2. Raymond W. m. Esther Lloyd
3. Cecil Herman, m. Mary Dunning
4. Gervis Olin, m. Mary Wisniewski
5. LaVerne C., m. Barbara Mantell
6. Beatrice, m. Walter Edwards
7. Van Exie, m. Dorothy M. Holmes
This closes the curtain on the lives and families of two early settlers of Taney County, Isaac Newton Johnson and James Crouch Johnson. Both men were faithful friends to all and their word was their bond, which won them the respect and esteem of their fellowmen.
Researched and Compiled by
William L.(Bill) and Vera Wood
Rt.2, Box 89, Strafford, MO. 65757
From Wood Family Records. Personal Research in Cumberland, and Clinton Counties of Kentucky, and Taney County, Missouri. Champaign County, Illinois State Census for 1865, and DAB Cemetery Records of Champaign County, Ill. Personal Interviews, Correspondence and Cemetery Visits.
[11]
This volume: Next Article | Table of Contents | Other Issues
Other Volumes | Keyword Search | White River Valley Quarterly Home | Local History Home
Copyright © White River Valley Historical Quarterly
