Umatilla County OR Archives Biographies.....Johnson, Henry Clay March 19, 1844 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Carlene Still jesco@oregontrail.com January 5, 2007, 12:10 am

Author: Colonel William Parsons 

Page 514, 515

Henry Clay Johnson
	Among the industrious company of tradesmen domiciled within the 
borders of Morrow county, must be mentioned the man whose name heads this 
article, and who has been a veritable leader in his line for many years and 
whose ability and skill are amply demonstrated by the many edifices that go to 
make up the city of Heppner, as well as the surrounding hamlets and various 
farm buildings which are largely his handiwork, he having been engaged as a 
carpenter and contractor more or less during the last thirty years since his 
advent into the region that is now embraced within the precincts of this 
county.
	On March 19, 1844, near Crab Orchard, Missouri, was born to Lewis and 
Rachel Johnson, a son, Henry Clay, the subject of this sketch, who accompanied 
his parents across the plains in 1851, the trip being made with ox teams and 
consuming six months. For one year they remained in Portland, thence going to 
Lewis county, Washington territory, making the trip in a scow down the 
Columbia river and up the Cowlitz to their destination, where they remained 
for five years engaged in the cultivation of the soil. Following this they 
returned to Portland, staying over one winter and then removed to Yam Hill 
county, continuing there in the occupation of the agriculturist for three 
years, and then went to Salem, where the father took up his trade of 
carpentering and contracting, and our subject learned the same from him. In 
the various places mentioned above the son received a good training in the 
public schools and before he left Salem in 1870 was a skillful workman in his 
chosen trade, having mastered its details and intricacies. At the date last 
mentioned he came to Walla Walla, following his trade for two years and then 
removed to Heppner, taking a ranch up Willow creek about ten miles, which he 
held for one year then sold out and removed to the town, which at that time 
had but one store, Morrow & Heppner's. He industriously set to work here at 
his trade until 1890, there being scarcely an edifice in the city of Heppner 
now standing that has not been constructed since that day and the majority of 
them bearing the marks of his handiwork, he having aided, perhaps, more than 
any other one man in the upbuilding of the city and making it what it is to-
day. In 1890 he went back to the old home place in the Willamette valley, 
operating the same for eight years and then returned to Heppner. He has sold 
most of that estate, retaining eighty acres, and also owns a good residence in 
the city of Heppner, besides other property.
	He was married to Miss Josephine, a native of this state, and daughter 
of William R. and Mahalia Munkers, who crossed the plains in 1846, in Salem, 
on June 20, 1870, and to them have been born the following children: Harry E., 
born April 20, 1871; Charles R., born November 15, 1876; Thomas C., born 
February 2, 1878; Percy L., born February 28, 1880; Ralph, born October 20, 
1886. They are all living in Heppner and the four oldest are all working at 
the carpenter trade, having learned the same from their father. Our subject's 
mother died in Yam Hill county in 1858, and his father in Salem in 1886. Mr. 
Johnson has always so demeaned himself that he has won the confidence and 
regard of the entire community, having been constantly following the path of 
industry and enterprise, while his integrity and sterling principle of 
uprightness are very commendable and praiseworthy.


Additional Comments:
An Illustrated History of Umatilla County by Colonel William Parsons and of 
Morrow County by W. S. Shiach with a brief outline of the early history of the 
State of Oregon.  W. H. Lever, Publisher  1902.

	Notice: These biographies were transcribed for the Oregon Biographies 
Project. Unless otherwise stated, no further information is available on the 
individual featured in the biographies. 


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