Biography - Henry J. N. Johnson
HENRY J. N. JOHNSON, a respected farmer of Vienna Township, owning and occupying a farm on section 10, is a battle-scarred veteran of the late war. He is a native of this State, his birth occurring on the old homestead in Massac County belonging to his father, Thomas Johnson, a pioneer of that part of the country, and a son of one of its earliest settlers. He had come to Illinois from Tennessee when a small boy of six years, and although an illiterate man, he became one of the successful farmers of the county, owning a fine farm of over two hundred acres, as the result of his toil. He was seventy-seven years old when he died. His wife, the mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Jane Shire, died in 1850 at the age of fifty-one, and her mortal remains were deposited in the soil of the old homestead.
Our subject was the seventh in order of birth of a family of ten children, of whom four are living. He was brought up on the old farm where he was born, and has always devoted himself to farming, with the exception of the time he spent in the service of the Government, when rebellion threatened the Union. He had just started in life on his own account, at the age of nineteen, when he threw aside his work to go into the army, and from February 1, 1864, to May 25, 1865, he was in the service, having enlisted in Company K, Fourteenth Illinois Cavalry. His devotion to the cause cost him dearly, for while fighting bravely at the front in an engagement with the enemy he lost his right eye; his wound also made him quite deaf, and the close of the war found him suffering in a hospital.
Notwithstanding this terrible affliction Mr. Johnson quietly resumed his old occupation as soon as able after returning to his father's home, where he remained for a time after his war services were over. Some years subsequent to his marriage, he rented a farm for three years, and managed it profitably From that time he moved about from place to place until he bought his present farm, which then comprised but forty acres, but to which he has added a like amount adjoining. It was in its natural condition, and he has worked patiently and with good results to develop it into a well-cultivated farm, and is continually making improvements, which have increased its value much since it came into his possession.
Mr. Johnson was married October 22, 1874, to Miss Rosa Ann Parker, a native of Massac County, although at the time of their marriage living in Johnson County. They have a home in which peace, plenty and comfort abound, and eight children complete their household, namely: Cynthia Jane, Dora V., John T., Francis M., James H., Maude M., Delia V. and Rosa L.
Extracted 16 Apr 2016 from 1893 Biographical Review of Johnson, Massac, Pope, and Hardin Counties, Illinois, page 149
