Sacramento County
Biographies
JOSEPH W. JOHNSON
Historical records indicate the early
identification of the Johnson family with the American colonies and the long
association of the name with New
England. With the spirit of
expansion characteristic of the nineteenth century the generations then
resident in the east became scattered throughout the entire country, and one
worthy member of the family exchanged the stern and rigorous climate of Maine for the balmy breezes of the southland. In him were
the necessary requisites of the pioneer, physical fortitude in hardships,
rugged health, tireless energy and an ability to adapt himself
to any outward circumstance. As a boy he had been familiar with scenes
along the Kennebec river near the city of Augusta, Me., and he was born at Hallowell, February 22, 1817, son of Samuel Johnson, who was a native of Scotland and served under Gen. Andrew Jackson throughout the
Seminole war. He married Miss Moody, also a native of Scotland, and they became the parents of Joseph W. Johnson.
With the enthusiasm of youth he had left the scenes of early years and had
sought the then undeveloped state of Arkansas, where he had settled in Hempstead
county, near Washington. There he met and married Miss Pauline K. Fontaine,
a native of that state, born January 21, 1824.
The young couple settled on a farm and took up agriculture in the primitive
manner in which it was then conducted. Into their humble farm home came
children to bless with their presence and brighten with their hopes.
Death, too, came into the home and took an infant son, Michael J. Two
children comprised the family when in 1852 the journey across the plains was
begun. One of these, born November 8, 1848,
near Washington, Ark., became one of the most successful educators of Sacramento, and forms the subject of this article. The other,
Hon. Mat F. Johnson, at one time held the office of superior judge of Sacramento county.
The journey across the plains required six
months and was filled with hardships. Not only was there a scarcity of
feed for the teams, but the travelers themselves were on short rations.
To add to the difficulties, Indians in the neighborhood of the expedition
threatened the lives of the emigrants. With a feeling of deep gratitude
the family at last found themselves safely under shelter in Los Angeles. They selected a location at El Monte, twelve miles from Los Angeles, where they remained from the fall of 1852 until the fall
of 1856, meanwhile engaging in farming and stock raising.
The father was a man of deep religious spirit and splendid education for his
day. For years he did not limit his attention to agriculture, but
preached the Gospel as opportunity afforded, and taught school in many
localities. After leaving El Monte he made a brief sojourn at Watsonville, Santa
Cruz county, and in 1858 settled in Sonoma county, whence the following year he removed to a farm at Cacheville, Yolo county. The flood of 1862 caused him
heavy losses in stock. During 1861 he taught school in Colusa county. The same occupation engaged much of his
attention throughout his remaining years. During the latter part of 1869
he began to teach in Sonoma county. Next he taught in Lake county. Returning in 1871 to Sonoma county, he taught at Fulton until shortly before his death, which occurred April 16, 1879. His wife passed away November 7, 1874. Besides their son who died in Arkansas, they lost two other sons, John Llewellyn having died at
Franklin, Sacramento county, at the age of two
years. Charles lived to maturity, and at the time of his demise, November 27, 1899, he was manager of a mercantile business at Portland, Ore., where his wife and three children still make their
home. The sons still living are honored and successful. Julian, who
was born at El Monte, is principal of the Sutter grammar school in Sacramento; George, born at Watsonville, Santa
Cruz county, has charge of the bonded warehouse at St. Helena, Napa county, and Edward, born in Sonoma county, is connected with a telephone company in Oregon, having his headquarters at Portland.
Upon the completion of the studies taught
in Sonoma college, a Presbyterian institution of learning, Joseph W. Johnson
entered upon educational work, to which he since has devoted his life and in
which he has met with signal recognition. For a time he taught in Point
Pleasant school district, for two years he was connected with the schools of
Modoc county, and for four years he had charge of the
schools of Cloverdale, Sonoma county, after which he was engaged to teach in Sacramento. Since June of 1879 he has been principal of the Harkness school. His long
retention in the position furnishes ample testimony as to the efficient
character of his services and his devotion to educational work in this
city. He possesses the rare quality of imparting knowledge clearly,
easily and effectively, so that those who study under him are mentally enriched
by his ability as an instructor. Among other teachers, as well as among
the patrons of the school, his standing is the highest and his reputation the
most enduring. Aside from his duties in school he has found leisure for
association with a number of organizations of note, among these being the
Sequoia Camp of Woodmen of the World, Columbus Chapter of the Eastern star,
Sacramento Lodge No. 40, F. & A. M., Capital Lodge No. 87, I. O. O. F.,
having been chief patriarch, and is a member of Confidence Lodge No. 78, K. of
P. and is past chancellor commander.
The marriage of Professor Johnson took
place June
13, 1872, and united him with Miss
Belle Campbell, who was born in Pettis county, Mo., and who died December 7, 1909.
There were two daughters in the family, of whom Miss Belle, a member of the
Saturday club and a popular society woman, now presides over her father's
home. The other daughter, Edna Pauline, married H. Taubner
Goethe, a farmer and stock-raiser living in Napa county, where he owns four hundred acres of
choice land. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Goethe consists of two children,
Edna Elefa and Taubner
Johnson.
Transcribed by Sally Kaleta.
Source: Willis,
William L., History of Sacramento
County, California, Pages 588-590. Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA. 1913.
© 2005 Sally Kaleta.