J. M. JOHNSON was born Oct. 15, 1817, seven miles south of Hamilton.  He remained on the farm until he was seventeen years of age.  In 1837, he came to Hamilton and accepted a position as clerk for Andrew McCleary & Co., the Dilg building on High street.  Three years later he became a salesman for Isaac Fisher.  Afterward, in 1840, he bought the A. D. Kyle store.  In 1842, he removed his store to New London, Morgan township, where he formed a partnership with Smith Hart, in the dry goods business.  Shortly afterward Mr. Hart sold his interest to Mr. Johnson.  In the latter part of 1842, he removed to Hamilton and occupied the Southerland building, corner Front and High streets.  He rented and occupied both rooms for $150.00 per annum.  In 1843, ne purchased Andrew McCleary's store, the business then being conducted under the firm name of J. M. & S. Johnson.  In 1846, F. S. Wilks purchased Samuel Johnson's interest in the store, the firm occupying the Earheart building corner Third and High streets, the firm was then known as the F. S. Wilks Co.  They had a line of freight boats to Cincinnati; sold out the store to Frank Martin and Fred Creighton.  Mr. Johnson remained with the firm one year by contract.  In 1871, Mr. Johnson purchased a farm near McGonigle's, farmed for seven years, then sold out to J. P. P. Peck, and returned to Hamilton in 1878.
Source:  Biographical & Historical Sketches - A Narrative of Hamilton and Its Residents from 1792 to 1896 - Publ. 1896 - Page 410