Page:History of Southeast Missouri 1912 Volume 1.djvu/691

 HISTORY OF SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 611 which, with the exception of ten acres, be- ing covered with a heav.y growth of timber. To clear the timber-covered land, of course, entailed a vast amount of labor. On the farm was a horse-power saw mill, which he operated a few months and then installed an engine, running both a saw-mill and grist mill and so efficiently that he had a great amount of patronage in the neighborhood. He was bringing his affairs to a very satis- factory footing when tlie Civil war, so long threatening, became a terrible reality, and life all over the country was changed and al- tered from the even tenor of its course. Soon after the first guns were fired at Sum- ter, Mr. Johnson enlisted in the army of the Confederacy, believing the cause it defended to be just and all the institutions of the South being very dear to him. His military career was eventful. In March, 1863, he was captured by Union forces and after being held a prisoner at St. Louis for three months was exchanged and joined his regiment in Virginia, on the Chesapeake Bay, thereafter serving with his command in East Tennes- see until after the termination of the great conflict. Returning to his farm on July 1, 1865, Mr. Johnson found that his barn had been burned, his stock taken off by the Federals and that he was in debt fifteen hundred dol- lars for his mill and land. Nothing daunted, however, he soon resumed his agricultural and industrial labors, clearing and improv- ing his farm, which was an excellent one, and, as his means allowed, buying more land, at one time having title to seven hun- dred and twenty acres, the greater part of which was valuable and advantageously sit- uated. At the time of his death he owned six hundred and sixty acres of land and the little burg of Octa, three miles northeast of Senath, its entire site being his, with the ex- ception of two lots. He also owned consid- erable property in Senath, his holdings there consisting in a lot and store building on Front street (the building being twenty by eighty feet in dimension) and five good lots on other streets. He had other interests of importance, owing five shares in the Citi- zens Bank of Senath, of which he has been president since its organization and being a stockholder in the Caneer Store Company. Jlr. Johnson's commodious dwelling-house on his farm was an attractive and substantial one, and a previous two thousand dollar resi- dence had been destroyed by fire. Toward the close of his life he gave over the more strenuous duties of managing his farms into other hands, and at the time of his death rented all of his farms, with the exception of his forty acre homestead. His homestead was virtually the centre of a little settlement, for he had thirteen tenant houses on his place for the use of his renters, all of these houses being within a mile and a half of his own home. From the beginning of his career he always maintained a saw mill and grist mill on his farm, which he himself op- erated. He was a man of remarkable exec- utive ability, able to manage successfully large forces and essentially progressive in the adoption of new ideas. It will not be gain- said that he was one of the most successful and widely known citizens of Dunklin coun- ty, and one whose influence will be greatly missed in the many-sided life of the com- munity. Politically Mr. Johnson had always been identified with the Democratic party, to whose causes he gave hand and heart and he was at one time prominent in public life, serving as county judge for six years shortly after the war and subsequently being jus- tice of the peace for twenty years. Frater- nally he was atBliated with the time-honored Masonic order, which he joined in 1867, his membership being with Helm Chapter, R. A. M., of Kennett. At one time he was a mem- ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows. In his own life he followed the fine principles of Masonry and at his death the order conducted the last ceremonial rites and consigned the body to the grave. Religiously he was affiliated with the Methodist Episco- pal church. South. Mr. Johnson married, in 1875, Louisa Bailey, who died five years later, leaving three children, namely: Corrinner V., is the wife of Joseph Tackeberry, of Dunklin coun- ty, and they have five children: James A., Katie, Ernest P., Minnie B. and Dudley; Minnie B., wife of Henry Jones, until her father's demise lived with him, presiding over his household wisely and well. They have had eight children: Stella, Delia, Clarence and five who died young; and Jennie who died at five years of age. Like himself, Mr. Johnson's children are respected and prom- inent and very loyal to the institutions of Dunklin county. Honorable Robert Giboney Ranney. Al- though the man without ancestors, who sue-