Biographies: Rev. H.S. Johns Submitter:Henry LeRoy "Hank" Johns, 5403, James Road, North Little Rock,AR 72118; e-mail: HJohns3@aol.com June 2001 * ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** Short History of the Life of Rev. H. S. Johns Being requested by Dr. R. H. Harper, Secretary, to write a short story of my life, I submit the following: I was born June 25, 1866, my parents being Matthew David Johns, and M. Louvester Baker Johns. My father a Virginian, and my mother a Tennessean. My father was a Confederate soldier from 1861 to 1865. He soldiered in Virginia and Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, etc. He was captured six months before the Civil War closed, and was liberated in New York City. When a year or more old my father moved from Clarendon, Monroe Co, Arkansas, to Mississippi, and then to West Carroll Parish, Louisiana where I grew up. After such education as I could get in the schools of that time, I attended Centenary College at Jackson, LA., under Dr. J. W. Rush, and Dr. T. A. S. Adams, as Presidents and on January 5, 1886, at Baton Rouge, La., Bishop John C. Keener presiding, I was admitted on trial into the Louisiana Conference, having previously been licenced to preach and recommended to the Annual Conference by the Oak Grove Church, of the Floyd circuit, Delhi District, Rev. Robert Randle, P. E. I was sent in 1886 to be Junior preacher to Rev. R. M. Biocher, at South Bossier circuit, the circuit embracing nine or ten preaching places, living at Bellevue, then the seat of Bossier parish. Returned there in 1887 for the second year. Received into full connection and ordained deacon by Bishop Joseph S. Key, at Shreveport, January 8, 1888, and from that Conference sent to Washington, St. Landry parish. Served Washington 1888, and 1889, then to Algiers for 1890--1,2, and 3. Then 1894, 5 and 6 at Plaquemine, La. 1897-8 at Chicot and White Chapel., St. Landry parish. 1889, and 1900 at Montgomery and Colfax, Grant parish, thence 1901, 2 and 3 at Morgan City, St. Mary parish, thence 1904 and 5, at Gueydan, La. In 1906 sent to Ida, Caddo parish, and returned in 1907, and 1908, but March 1, 1908 was called to the State Chaplainey at Baton Rouge, where I served as Chaplain of the State Penitentiary and incidentally as Chaplain to the State General Assemby for 20 years and 6 months. Being released from Baton Rouge, and the Chaplaincy, September 1, 1928, I was sent to Greenwood, Caddo parish where from Dec 5, 1928, to the present time I have served as pastor. I was married July 31, 1888 in Opelousas La., to Miss Hope Foster, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. D. W. Foster, of St. Landry parish, who died in January 1908 in Ida La. I was married the second time in Lufkin Texas to Miss Stella G. Bonner, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Bonner, of Lufkin Texas. Two children were reared of the first marriage, Dr. F. M. Johns of New Orleans, La., and Rev. H. L. Johns of Ruston, La., and a daughter of the second marriage, Mary Bonner Johns, residing at this writing here with us, and attending Greenwood High School. I praise GOD, for all of his mercies. H. S. Johns This February 16, 1933 End of Biography ------------------------- Note: This Biography is Rev. Henry S. Johns, my great grandfather. He was born in Clarendon, Monroe County, AR; however he moved to Oak Grove, West Carroll, LA when he was about 2 years old and spent his childhood and teenage years there before leaving the area. Both of his parents are buried at the Oak Grove Cemetery. He wrote this Bio of himself just 6 months before he died on Sep 28, 1933 in Greenwood, Caddo Parish, LA. Rev. Henry S. Johns was buried in Roselawn Cemetery, Baton Rouge, LA. Submitter: Henry LeRoy "Hank" Johns, 5403, James Road, North Little Rock, AR 72118; e-mail: HJohns3@aol.com