Biography of B A Johnson, Greene Co, AR

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Submitted by: Michael Brown
        Date: 5 Sep 1998
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
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Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northeast Arkansas

page 150

B. A. Johnson, a wealthy farmer and stockman, of Greene County, Ark., was born in
Hickman County, Tenn., in 1834, and is the fifth in a family of ten children born to
Granville M. and Nereusa (Gardner) Johnson, who were Tennesseeans, the father being a
farmer by occupation, and a wealthy citizen. He was justice of the peace in Tennessee
for many years, and died in that State in 1884, followed by his wife some two years
later. The paternal and maternal grandfathers were Virginians, who removed to
Tennessee at an early day, the former reaching this State in 1812. Here they both
died. B. A. Johnson was reared to farm labor, and had very poor educational
advantages in his youth. He remained at home until attaining his majority, and then
for several years was engaged in brick-laying. At the age of twenty-one he was wedded
to Miss Sarah E. Fielder, a native of Tennessee. In 1855 he located in Wayne County,
Mo., where, in 1860, he bought a farm, and embarked in agriculture, continuing until
the war broke out, when he raised a company of Missouri State Guards, of which he was
elected first lieutenant. He soon resigned this position, and enlisted as a private
in the Confederate army, being elected first lieutenant of Reeves' cavalry company of
independent scouts. He was soon sent east of the Mississippi, and was in the battles
of Memphis, Corinth, Iuka, Jacinto, Richmond, Ky., Perryville, after which he was
transferred to the western department of Arkansas, where he was detailed to raise a
regiment, of which he was made lieutenant-colonel. In this capacity he participated
in the battles of Little Rock, Pine Bluff and Saline River, and was then with Price
on his Missouri raid, taking part in every battle fought on this trip. During the war
his family removed from Missouri south to Clay County, Ark., and here Mr. Johnson
went after the cessation of hostilities, where he remained three years, and then came
to Cache Township, Greene County, Ark, where they are still residing. He purchased a
partially improved farm of 160 acres, opened about sixty acres, and in 1871 purchased
160 acres three miles south of his first place, to which he has added 170 acres, and
has cleared 100 acres, having about 200 under cultivation. In addition to these
tracts he has about 500 acres in another locality. He does general farming, but gives
the most of his attention to the raising of corn and cotton. He is an active
politician, a substantial supporter of churches and schools, and he and family attend
the Baptist Church, of which he and his wife are members. His family consists of the
following children: John W., born February 17, 1856, who is married and resides on
his father's land; William G., born February 9, 1858, also married and living in the
township; Barbara Etta Bell, born October 5, 1860, wife of E. R. C. Biggs, a resident
of Woodruff County; Robert E. Lee, born October 21, 1863, died in 1864; Adelaide,
born September 24, 1865, wife of P. Eubanks, of Greene County; Samantha C., born
August 4, 1867; Victoria R., wife of James Light, born July 19, 1869; Sarah N., born
October 10, 1871; Benjamin O, born June 10, 1874; and Lizzie B., born August 11,
1877.