johnsons
Transcribed from "An Illustrated History of The Big Bend Country, embracing
Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin counties, State of Washington",
published by Western Historical Publishing Co., 1904.
SAMUEL M. JOHNSON resides about
one mile north from Creston on a magnificent estate of nine hundred acres
which he has acquired by purchase, the result of his own earnings since
coming to Lincoln county. He was born in Nevada City, California,
October 26, 1858, the son of Alfred A. and Sarah (Fordyce) Johnson, natives
of Virginia and Ohio, respectively. The father removed to California
in the early fifties and engaged in mining at Grass Valley. He made
a fortune in the business and in 1899 returned to Ohio where he is now
living. The mother is also living there. Our subject was favored
with a good common school education in Ohio, and after the days of that
training were completed, he took up telegraphy. He soon mastered
the art and was in the employ of different railroads until 1890, in the
spring of which year, he came to Creston. He was installed soon as
railroad operator. In 1897, he bought a section of railroad land
and has added to it since until he has the amount mentioned above.
Mr. Johnson now gives his attention to the oversight of his state and is
known as one of the prosperous men of the county.
In 1891, Mr. Johnson married Miss Ella, daughter
of John H. and Mary (Wynhoff) Verfurth, natives of Germany and now farming
in Iowa. Mrs. Johnson was born in Iowa on December 4,1871.
To this union, one child, Odessa L. was born on April 26, 1892. Our
subject has the following brothers and sisters, Hon. David B., an attorney
in Minneapolis, and one of the best orators of the northwest. On
account of his ability as a speaker, he has been styled the Demosthenes
of America, and the Stephen A. Douglas of the northwest; W. B. general
live stock agent for the Gulf system of railroads in Kansas City, Missouri;
F. E. in Salt Lake City, Utah. Mr. Johnson also has two sisters,
Mrs. Luella Hannah, in Ohio; Mrs. Ida Allen, in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.
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