WILLIAM LINDSAY JOHNSON

The History of West Virginia, Old and New
Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc.,
Chicago and New York, Volume II,
pg. 438


WILLIAM LINDSAY JOHNSON, superintendent in charge of the plants of 
Morgantown Brick Company, is a native of Monongalia County and descended from two 
of the old families of that section of the state.

    His paternal grandfather, Richard Johnson, found of this branch of the 
family in West Virginia, spent his early life in Western Pennsylvania, where he 
married Minerva Colebank, a native of that section of theKeystone State.  The 
Johnsons were Irish and the Colebanks Scotch in ancestry.  After their marriage Mr.
Johnson came to West Virginia and settled on what was known as the old 
Stewart farm, near Stewartstown in the Union District of Monongalia County.  Here 
he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives, were substantial farmers, and 
devout members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

    The son, William Johnson, was born on the old farm in Union District 
January 15, 1853.  While he had some experience as a farmer, the greater part of his 
active years was devoted to Government work in the construction of dams and locks 
on the Upper Monongalia River.  For several years he was a diver.  He
is still living, retired, in Morgantown.  His wife bore the maiden name of 
Jemimah Ann Stewart.  She was born on the old Stewart farm in Monongalia County, and 
died in 1911.  Her parents, Daniel and Rebecca(Blosser) Stewart, were married in 
Pennsylvania and then came to Monongalia County.

    William L. Johnson, son of William and Jemimah A. (Stewart) Johnson, was 
born on the Stewart farm in Monongalia County, July 24, 1874.  He had a common school 
education, but when only nine years of age he was earning a salary by employment as 
a water boy for the force of men performing Government service along the river, 
thus being close to his father, who was in the same work.  Mr. Johnson at more or
less regular intervals continued Government work along the river and in different 
capacities until 1905. 

He was married in that year and the following year went to work in the yards 
of the Morgantown Brick Company, at the old plant on the west side of the river.  
He was under Superintendent Williams and later was transferred to the east side 
plant, under Superintendent S. S. Minor.  Here he acquired a thorough
proficiency in all branches of the brick making industry, of the company's 
business.  Since 1911 he has been superintendent, and has earned the reputation of 
being one of the expert brick makers in the state.
    
Mr. Johnson is a citizen alive to his responsibilities as a factor in the 
community.  He is a member of Morgantown Union Lodger No. 4., A. F. and  A. M., 
Monongalia Lodge No 10, Junior Order United American Mechanics, and the Methodist 
Protestant Church.  September 25, 1905, he married Valley Josephine Stewart, daughter 
of John and Jane (Evans) Stewart, of Monongalia County.  Mr. and Mrs.
Johnson have one daughter, Helen Marguerite, born November 26, 1912.