OBIT: David JOHNSON, 1916, Blair County, PA

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DAVID JOHNSON IS CALLED BY DEATH
Veteran Pennsylvania Railroad Company Engineer Succumbs to Pneumonia

David Johnson, a highly esteemed resident of the Fourth ward and
veteran Pennsylvania Railroad company engineer, passed away at his
home, 1404 Eighth avenue, at 6.07 o'clock yesterday morning of
pneumonia.  He contracted a cold several weeks ago which later
developed into pneumonia.  His condition became critical last
Wednesday and he grew gradually worse until he passed into the great
beyond.  The news of his death spread rapidly among railroad men, with
whom he was popular, and was learned with sincere regret.

Mr. Johnson was born in Chester county, Pa., on May 18, 1838, and was
reared in the eastern section of the state.  He came to Altoona in
1860 and since that time had been a resident here.  He entered the
service of the Pennsylvania Railroad company in September 1861 as a
fireman, was made an engineer November 1, 1863, and served under every
superintendent of the Middle division from Superintendent Rumford to
Superintendent Smith and he also had the distinction of being the
first engineman to wear the uniform adopted by the company.  He was
regarded as one of the most efficient engineers running over the
Middle division.  When the Pennsylvania Railroad company purchased the
French locomotive exhibited at the St. Louis exhibition by the French
government he was placed in charge of the engine and ran it over the
various divisions in testing out its powers.  In his long career of
forty-five years he was never seriously hurt in accidents, although he
figured in several in which fellow members of his crew were killed.
His last accident was with the French engine and because of the
injuries sustained he requested to be retired and this was granted in
1906.  Since that time he has lived a quiet retired life.

Mr. Johnson was not a veteran of the Civil war as a soldier but he
never-the-less played a very prominent part in the bitter strife,
being in the service of the United States government as an engineer
and being in charge of an engine hauling supplies to General Sherman's
army on its march to the sea.  He figured in several accidents while
operating his engine through the war zones in the south and once his
engine was ditched at Big Shanty, near Atlanta, Ga.  His engine was
the third to enter Atlanta after Sherman's army captured that southern
city.

Mr. Johnson was married on October 18, 1864, to Miss Rosanna
Bottenberg in this city by Rev. A. H. Sembower.  She passed away in
1902 and on May 21, 1904, he married Mrs. Margaret Dinwiddie, of
Manhattan, N. Y., who preceded him to the grave in 1910.  He is
survived by two brothers, Morris Johnson, of Harrisburg, and William
Johnson, of Philadelphia.  He was a member of the Presbyterian church,
was quiet and unassuming and was held in high respect and esteem by
all who shared his acquaintance.  The funeral will take place
Wednesday afternoon, public services to be conducted at the house at 2
o'clock in charge of Rev. Dr. Henry Howard Stiles, pastor of the
Second Presbyterian church.  Private interment in Antis cemetery.

Altoona Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Tuesday, January 4, 1916, page 16