OBIT: Thomas J. JOHNSON, 1942, of interest in Somerset County, PA

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Meyersdale Library.
Transcribed and proofread by: Richard Boyer.

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THOMAS J. JOHNSON
Aged Resident Dies

  One of Grantsville, Maryland's oldest residents, Thomas J. Johnson, passed 
quietly away about 8:30 o'clock Sunday morning, at the home of his son-in-law 
and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Edgar V. Stanton, with whom he made his home.  Had he 
lived until April 30, he would have reached his ninety-fifth birthday.  Until 
last September Mr. Johnson had enjoyed splendid health and was unusually active 
both mentally and physically, for one of such advanced years.  Since that time, 
however, his health had been failing and he had been critically ill for the past 
two weeks.  All of his children were with him at Easter.
  Mr. Johnson was born in Garrett County, Maryland, April 30, 1847, on the 
"Johnson Farm" between Grantsville and Frostburg.  He was a son of Thomas J. and 
Ann Ogle Johnson, natives of the county.  For years he was widely known 
throughout this section as one of the county's most successful farmers.  He 
operated the Johnson farm until 1936 when he retired from the occupation and 
moved to the Eli Stanton property at Little Crossings, just east of here, where 
he has since resided.
  Mr. Johnson was a great-grandson of the late Thomas Jefferson Johnson, who was 
the first governor of the State of Maryland.  Like his ancestor, Mr. Johnson was 
also active in local politics.  He was a member of the Board of County 
Commissioners from 1889 to 1901, which was rather an unusual accomplishment for 
a Democrat in Garrett County.  In 1910 he ran for the state senate.  He also 
served on the Board of Education from 1916 to 1922 and during the World War was 
a member of the county Draft Board.  He had been a member of the Frostburg 
Episcopal Church since early boyhood.  A fascinating talker, he could give some 
interesting accounts of early history and events both of the county and its 
residents.
  Surviving are his wife, the former Maude C. Pullman, whom he married March 8, 
1893, and the following children: Thomas D. Johnson, near Finzel; Richard D. 
Johnson and Bryan C. Johnson, Frostburg; Mrs. Walter Caldwell, Miss Rhoda 
Johnson and Mrs. L. H. Binkley, Washington, D.C.; Mrs. Johnson Sites, Elkins, 
W.va., and Mrs. Edgar V. Stanton, Grantsville, and seven grandchildren.
  Funeral services were conducted at 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon from the home 
and interment was in the Johnson Cemetery on the Johnson Farm.

Meyersdale Republican, April 16, 1942