JOHN R. JOHNSON
Martin JOHNSON was the emigrant ancestor of the family to which John R. JOHNSON, of Lumberville, belongs. He came from England, where his birth occurred on the 5th of May, 1755, and located on Bools Island, now Raven Rock, Hunterdon county, New Jersey, where he acquired extensive farming lands and other property, becoming one of the wealthy citizens of his community.
John JOHNSON, son of Martin JOHNSON, was born and reared on the old homestead secured by his father, and he, too, followed the occupation of farming. He married Sarah E. BRAY, and their son, Albert R. JOHNSON, became the father of John R. JOHNSON. He was born on the old homestead in Hunterdon county, New Jersey, August 3, 1833, was there reared, and in later years acquired possession of the old home property, upon which he resided until 1844, when he retired and removed to Stockton, where he now resides. He was very successful in his agricultural competence. He has long been a member of the Presbyterian church. He married Margaret A. DILTS, who died April 8, 1893, at the age of sixty years, six months and twenty-two days. She was a member of the Dunkard church. They had six children, of whom five are living: John R; Clark B., who occupies the old homestead; Catherine, wife of Wilmot QUINBY, of Solebury township; Rachael, wife of Theodore L. GREEN, of Union county, New Jersey; and Sarah, wife of Eden B. HUNT, of Stockton, New Jersey.
John R. JOHNSON was born in Hunterdon county, New Jersey, April 22, 1854, and the first nineteen years of his life were spent upon his father's farm, during which time he acquired a public school education. In 1873 he went to Lambertville, New Jersey, where he accepted a position in a mercantile establishment and there laid the foundation for his later successful mercantile career. He remained there for two years and in 1875 came to Lumberville, accepting a position in the store of READING & SHADDINGER, acting as clerk in the establishment for two years, when he purchased the interest of Mr. SHADDINGER, and the firm name was changed to READING & JOHNSON, this connection being maintained until 1892, when Mr. JOHNSON became sole owner of the business. He has developed an enterprise of considerable importance, and his annual sales now bring a good financial return, his business principles being based upon the rules which govern strict, unswerving integrity and unabating industry. Politically Mr. JOHNSON is a Democrat. He belongs to Black City Lodge, No. 391, I. O. O. F., of Black City, and he and his wife are active members of the Baptist church, to the support of which he contributes generously.
In 1879, Mr. JOHNSON married Miss Marietta BODINE, of Stockton, New Jersey, a daughter of William and Mary (BELLIS) BODINE. Her brother, Wesley BODINE, now deceased, was for many years sheriff of Hunterdon county, New Jersey. Mr. and Mrs. JOHNSON had three children, but lost their elder son, Raymond D. Bessie K. and Wilmot Q. are at home. The daughter is a graduate of the George school, has been a close student since the completion of her course there, now holds a state certificate and at the present writing (1904) is teaching in Solebury township.
Text taken from page 237, David, William W. H., A. M. History of Bucks County, Pennsylvania [New York-Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1905] Volume III
Transcribed January, 2001 by Donna J. Kling of Mount Joy, Pennsylvania as part of the Bucks Co., Pa., Early Family Project, www.rootsweb.com/~pabucks/bucksindex.html
Published January 2001 on the Bucks County, Pa., USGenWeb pages at www.rootsweb.com/~pabucks/
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