Biography, John Coleman Johnson Madison County, AR

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Submitted by: Carole Hammett & Rhonda Jameson
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John Coleman JOHNSON. Among the men who represent the mercantile interests of
Madison County, Ark., is Mr. JOHNSON, who is a native of the county, and was
born August 5, 1853, being a son of Jacob D. and Sarah E. (YOUNG) Johnson, who
were Tennesseans. 

The father was killed in a skirmish on Richland Creek during the war. He
became a resident of Madison County when a boy, and at the breaking out of the
war enlisted in Captain SMITH'S company of cavalry, and served as first
lieutenant part of the time. He was a Democrat and farmer. 

His widow afterward married E. H. [Elijah Ham] SHIPLEY, who is now deceased,
and is residing in Madison County. She is 58 years of age, and is a member of
the Primitive Baptist Church. Five children were born to her first marriage
and three to her last. 

John Coleman JOHNSON, who is the eldest child, made his home with her until he
attained his eighteenth year. He then began depending on his own resources for
a living, and spent some time at Hindsville learning photography, and
afterward engaged in merchandising. In 1876 he came to Drake's Creek with a
capital of $55, and since that time has been a prosperous merchant. In 1882 he
formed a partnership with John KENNAN. 

When nineteen years of age he was married to Sarah E. LEONARD, who was born in
Tennessee in 1855, and by her became the father of the following family: Rosa
M., Nina P., Elbert O., living, and Charles L., Thomas and Willie, deceased.
Mr. JOHNSON is a notary public, and a Democrat, and is a member of the Masonic
fraternity. 

Mrs. JOHNSON's parents, James G. and Louisa A. (HALL) Leonard, resided near
Knoxville [ch: Knox Co], Tenn., and came to Arkansas when she was a child. The
father died the first year of the war and the mother a few years later. Their
children are Samuel T., Sarah E., Rosa F. and David Y. 

They were taken to rear by an aunt, who started with them to Tennessee, but
the boat on which they were making their journey became imparied and sank. All
were taken off the boat except Sarah E., who threw herself into the river. Her
brother Samuel, who was then but nine years of age, swam a distance of over
100 feet to her rescue. He caught her by the hair and swam with her to the
land. They finally reached Tennessee, where they remained until the close of
the war, and then returned to Arkansas." (Goodspeeds History of NW AR...)