Goodspeed's Biography of Daniel Johnson, Grant Co, AR *********************************************************** Submitted by: Jackie Dill Date: 27 Jul 2003 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************************** Daniel Johnson, a merchant of Sheridan, Grant County, Ark., is a native of Eastern Tennessee, and was born in Roane County, May 9, 1824. He was the son of Isaac and Nancy (Hunter) Johnson, also of Tennessee. Isaac Johnson was a farmer, teacher and blacksmith, and also held a local office in his county. He died in 1844, at the age of sixty years. Of his family, six sons and three daughters attained maturity, and became heads of families. Daniel Johnson grew to manhood in Tennessee, remaining with his mother until her death. In 1846 he married Elizabeth Hickson, a native of Tennessee, where he remained until 1849, when he removed to Arkansas, and located in what is now Grant County, settling on a farm which was his home until 1877. He then moved into town, having been elected county treasurer of Grant County. He was re-elected to that position in 1878, 1880, 1882 and 1884, discharging his official duties in a competent and satisfactory manner for ten years. In 1877 Mr. Johnson moved to Sheridan, and opened a store of general merchandise, also starting a hotel, which he conducted for six years. At that time there were only two families living in Sheridan. Commencing in the mercantile business with but $250, he has in twelve years built up a large trade, and is one of the substantial men of the county. He made the trip overland to California in 1853, with a large train, being six months and twelve days on the road, and going through severe hardships. The train became divided by dissensions, etc., but finally he arrived in California safely, and there remained three years. He returned to Arkansas in 1856, by way of Panama, Aspinwall and New Orleans. Mr. Johnson lost his first wife in 1876. She left a family of nine children (three of whom are now deceased): Nancy J. (deceased, left a family of five children), James M. S., William D. (deceased), Paulina (wife of W. L. Lybrand), Martha (widow of A. N. Rhoden), Finas E. (deceased, who was a former partner in the store), Sarah (wife of J. A. Shell), Robert G. (a partner in the store), Catharine (now Mrs. W. J. Shepperd). Mr. Johnson married again in 1878, a widow, Mrs. Rachel Glover (nee Walker), a native of Eastern Tennessee. Mr. Johnson entered the Confederate service, in 1861, in the Second Arkansas Infantry, and served about one year, when he was discharged on account of disability. He participated in a number of engagements, but served on detached duty most of the time, and made two trips back to this State recruiting for his company. He received his discharge at Corinth, in 1862, when he returned to his home. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.