Polk County, Missouri Biographies - James W. JOHNSON
History Of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade And Barton Counties,
Missouri; 1889, published by Goodspeed, Pg. 659
Polk County Biographies Section
    
    Among the prominent men of the early settlers in Polk County
appears the name of Col. James W. Johnson.  He was of English 
descent, having been born August 24, 1811, in Virginia.  In an 
early day he emigrated to Tennessee, and located near Nashville,
where he married, in 1883, Miss Nancy Piper, a native of Middle
Tennessee, born September 28, 1814.  He father was a native of 
Ireland, and in an early day came to this country.  He was a 
soldier in the War of 1812, and the second person buried in the
Bolivar graveyard.  In 1834 Col. Johnson and wife came to Polk 
County.  Though a farmer by occupation, he took an active part 
in all the affairs of his county.  In 1852 he was elected sheriff
and collector of Polk County, in which capacity he served two years.  
In the Constitutional Convention of 1861 he as the chosen delegate 
from this district.  The same year he received the commission of 
colonel of the Fifteenth U. S. Reserve Corps, and in September, 
1852, he was honored with the commission of colonel of the 
Twenty-sixth Enrolled Missouri Militia, and served till March, 
1864, when he resigned and retired to private life.  In 1888 he 
was called from the toils of earth.  In his death the county lost
one of its most useful and highly esteemed citizens.  He was a 
stanch Democrat, and an active member in the Christian Church, 
as was also his wife.  She died August 13, 1883.  Their family 
consisted of eight children, of whom five survive; Delilah P., 
Richard M., Samuel R., James W. and Abraham L.  Samuel R. was 
born in this county July 28, 1850, being reared upon the farm.  
While growing up he received a good English education in the 
schools of the county.  Having prepared himself in the Bolivar 
Academy for the profession of teaching, he followed it some 
three years.  September 1, 1872, he married Miss Emma Stewart, 
daughter of George W. Stewart.  She was born near Madison, Ind.,
May 26, 1854, and came to this county with her parents in 1869. 
Having resided on the old homestead until 1884, Mr. Johnson moved
to his present home, a mile and a quarter northeast of Bolivar.  
He owns 200 acres of good land, with about 125 under cultivation.  
His family consists of four children: Llano, Daisy, Nannie and 
Nettie.  He is a member of the Christian Church.  He is an 
advocate of the principles of the Union Labor Party.  The John 
family is an old and highly respected family, and deserves an 
honorable mention in the history of Polk County.
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