BIO:  S. L. JOHNS, Adams County, PA

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History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania
Chicago:  Warner, Beers & Co., 1886
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Part III, History of Adams County, Pages 391-392

S. L. JOHNS, manufacturer and merchant, McSherrystown, was born November 25, 
1859, in Conowago Township, near Hanover, son of Jeremiah Johns.  Our subject 
received a common school education, but is chiefly self-educated.  Quite early 
in life he became interested in cigar manufacturing, and at the age of eighteen 
engaged a man, John F. Keefer, as journeyman, and both went to work making 
cigars, Mr. Johns learning as he worked, not knowing anything about business 
when he commenced.  He soon mastered the trade, however, and, from time to time, 
employed more workmen, increasing his trade every year and almost every day.  
Success is ever ready to reward the energetic, and our subject had the 
satisfaction of seeing his business grow from a small beginning to its present 
proportions.  He commenced February 17, 1878, and to-day manufactures about 
4,500,000 cigars annually, employing, in various departments, nearly 110 men, 
women and children, more than half of whom are employed in McSherrystown.  He is 
also engaged in packing tobacco, having warehouses in Lancaster County, Penn., 
and is also buying tobacco in New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore, consuming 
and selling from 600 to 800 cases of leaf tobacco annually.  He also exchanges 
tobacco for cigars, and last year handled nearly 6,000,000 cigars.  June 5, 
1886, Mr. Johns opened a grocery and confectionery store in McSherrystown, 
another marked improvement to the town.  He was married December 26, 1882, to 
Miss Emma, daughter of Peter Strasbaugh, and by her he has one son - G. Milton 
Blaine - born March, 13, 1884.  Politically our subject has been identified with 
the Republican party, and has ever taken an active interest in all the public 
affairs of the township; was one of the men instrumental in getting the turnpike 
from Hanover to McSherrystown, of which he has been director since its 
completion.  He was also instrumental in having McSherrystown incorporated, and 
was elected its first burgess.  When the McSherrystown Building Association was 
talked about he at once became an active advocate of it, and has served as 
director for five years.  In 1883, being mindful of the welfare of the working 
people, he, himself, started the Sevies B Building Association, of which he is 
now president, and which is the means of building homes for his workmen, where 
even a young man, by making a small weekly payment, soon has a home.  Thus we 
give a brief sketch of the active career of a self-made man, who has promoted 
the welfare of the town and people, and who is an example of what a young man of 
energy and good business principles can accomplish.