John Johnson (Biography)

[genealogynut]

Taken from History of the State of Kansas, by William G. Cutler

JOHN JOHNSON, miller, was born in Butler County, Ohio, in 1822.  In 1854, settled in Hendricks County, Ind., and remained there until 1860, when he emigrated to Kansas, locating near Valley Falls, Jefferson County, before there was a railroad in the State.  Bought a farm at that place and remained there about eleven years, and at the same time was in the mercantile business.  In 1871, came to Oak Valley with a portable saw mill, which he had used when in Jefferson County, and put up the mill on a claim which he took on Section 17, Township, 31, Range 13, and soon after buiilt to this and put in a run of stone and did gristing.  In 1875, put up a flour mill, 28 x 40, with two run of burrs and had in running order in 1876, with a capacity of sixty barrels per day; has a good power, with a nine foot fall.  In 1881, laid out twenty acres of his land in town lots, the town taking the name of Oak Valley.  One-half of the lots are sold and built on, and he is making arrangements to lay out more lots in a short time.  The claim he made, is well timbered with 175 acres of bottom timber, and eighty of upland timber. He has improved his farm and built several residences in the village.  He has a fine mineral well on the place which has great medicinal properties, especially for the cure of skin diseases and sore eyes.  In 1875, Mr. Johnson succeeded in having a post office established at Oak Valley, and received the commission of Postmaster, and has continued at such since, also does some business in hotel keeping after the railroad was built.  Mr. Johnson is one of the live business men who build towns and improve the country, and is deserving of the good will of the people of his vicinity, for the work he has done will make a good town of Oak Valley.  He was married, in 1845, to Miss Emily Brundage, of Butler County, Ohio. They have six children -- May A., W. R., James S., I.N., F.L., and Edmund B.