My Genealogy Hound

HON. SAMUEL F. JOHNSON, a prominent tobacco dealer at Dale, is a native of Gibson County, Ind., born April 3, 1831, one of nine children of Thomas F. and Rebecca (Simpson) Johnson, who were natives of Kentucky and Tennessee respectively. The father settled in the county where our subject was born before Indiana was a State, and was one of the earliest, if not the first, merchants at Princeton. In 1837 he purchased the Ratliff Boon farm, in Warrick County, and there his children were born and raised. His wife died in 1863, and he followed her in 1864. Samuel F. completed his schooling by a year’s study at the State University, and from 1852 to 1856 “prospected” in California. Returning to Indiana, he remained in Warrick County until 1861, during which time he read medicine, taught school and attended medical lectures at Keokuk, Iowa. He practiced his profession one year in Spencer County, but August 18, 1862, was mustered into the Government’s service as captain of Company D, Sixty-fifth Regiment of Indiana Volunteers. He retained the captaincy two years, was then appointed surgeon, and July 9, 1865, was mustered out of service. He resumed the practice of medicine, and for nearly two years was located at Rockport. In 1866 he was elected to the State Senate, and served through three sessions for four years, and bears the honor of being the only Republican ever elected from this senatorial district. In 1867 he moved to Dale, and has since made it his home. He here has merchandised and bought tobacco extensively, and is recognized as one of the heaviest dealers at this point. Mr. Johnson was married, April 18, 1867, to Miss Sarah J. Hammond, who was born November 3, 1840, daughter of that old and honored pioneer, James Hammond, who died in February, 1885. Four children have blessed their union, named S. Grant, James H., Thomas F. and Maggie M. Mr. Johnson is a large land owner and stock-raiser, is a Republican and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Johnson belongs to the United Brethren Church.