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OHIO GENEALOGY EXPRESS
A Part of Genealogy
Express
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Welcome to
DEFIANCE COUNTY
OHIO
History & Genealogy |
BIOGRAPHIES
Source:
Commemorative Biographical Records of Northwestern Ohio
including the counties of Defiance, Henry, Williams & Fulton.
Published at Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1899.
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JOHNS,
Philip |
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PHILIP JOHNS. The
popular and efficient postmaster at Ross, Defiance county,
Philip Johns, of whom we write, is one of our
leading German-born citizens, and his courage and patriotism
were shown in early manhood by gallant service in the Union
army during the Rebellion.
A native of Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, he was born
there March 25, 1839, and when about four years old came
with his parents, Philip J. and Katharine Johns, to
this country. They located upon a farm in Washtenaw county,
Michigan, and both died there a few years later, leaving our
subject to make his own way in life. He remained in the same
locality until he reached the age of eighteen, being reared
upon a farm, and he then began to learn the mason's trade,
which he followed for some years. When the Civil war broke
out he was among the first to offer his services to the
government, enlisting on May 20, 1861, in Company E,
Fourteenth Michigan Volunteer Infantry, for three months. At
the expiration of his term he returned to Michigan, but
later went to Buffalo, New York, and enlisted in Company E,
One Hundred and Seventy-ninth New York Volunteer Infantry,
"for three years or the war." He saw much active service,
taking part in the first and second battles of Bull Run and
other engagements with the Army of the Potomac, and while on
duty in Virginia at a place called Hill Farm, on the James
river, he was slightly wounded on the right leg. He remained
with his regiment as long as there was any fighting to be
done, and on his return to Michigan he resumed work at his
trade.
After eight months, having concluded to engage in
farming, he purchased a tract of seventy acres in Washtenaw
county. He followed agricultural pursuits for about a year,
when he sold out and again took up his work as a mason. For
about five years he continued this business in Freedom
township, Washtenaw county, but, having had the misfortune
to lose his home there, he removed to Adrian, Michigan, and
worked at his trade for three and one-half years. In the
fall of 1874 he came to Defiance and found employment for
two years, then removing to Brunersburg and conducted a
saloon some eighteen months while following his trade as
opportunity offered. He next located at Sherwood, Defiance
county, continuing his trade there with other business, and
in 1882 he traded his property there for one hundred and
sixty acres of land in Section 1, Mark township, Defiance
county, where he has since made his home. The land was
covered with the primitive forest, but he has cleared and
improved it, erecting good buildings, and now has an
attractive homestead.
On August 18, 1865, Mr. Johns was married in Washtenaw
county, Michigan, to Miss Mary C. Lindensmith,
a native of Germany, and seven children have blessed the
union, viz.: Frederick C, Charles C, Franklin V. (who
died March 27, 1891, at the age of twenty-one), Albert
B., William L.. Edward T., and Clara E. The
family is identified with the German Reformed Church, of
which Mr. Johns is a leading member. He takes
great interest in local affairs and in the political issues
of the day, his sympathies being with the Democratic party
in the main. While residing in Freedom township, Washtenaw
county, Michigan, he held the office of justice of the peace
for six years, and since settling at his present home he has
served in that position for an equal length of time. In
June, 1894, he was appointed postmaster at Ross, and has
since held this office without interruption.
Source: Commemorative Biographical
Records of Northwestern Ohio including the counties of
Defiance, Henry, Williams & Fulton. - Published at Chicago:
J. H. Beers & Co. 1899 - Page 277 |
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