Biographies
(Transcribed by Sharon Wick)

Source:
 A Portrait and Biographical Record of
Mercer and Van Wert Counties, Ohio
Containing Biographical Sketches of Many Prominent and Representative Citizens,
together with Biographies and Portraits of all the
Presidents of the United States
and Biographies of the Governors of Ohio
CHICAGO: A. W. BOWEN & CO.
1896

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LEWIS N. JOHNSON, one of the most prominent and most successful teachers and farmers in Mercer county, was born Feb. 22, 1860, and is a son of Peter and Srah (Stemple) Johnson.  Full reference is made to the life of Peter Johnson in the sketch of G. W. Johnson, which precedes this memoir.  In this connection it may, however, be said that he was married to Sarah Stemple, as his second wife, about 1856.  She is a daughter of Isaac and Catherine (Wilt) Stemple.  To this second marriage of Peter Johnson there were born seven children, as follows:  Mary Catherine, wife of John Harsh, a farmer of Randolph county, W. Va.; Lewis N., the subject of this sketch; Albert G., a teacher, and also a minister in the United Brethren church, of Black Creek township, now deceased; Norville, Andrew, and Isaiah, all three farmers of West Virginia.      Sarah Stemple was born in Barbour county, Va., and was one of the following family: Jackson, a farmer of Calhoun county, W. Va.; Ahab, also a farmer of Calhoun county; Rebecca, wife of John Poling, a farmer of Marshall county, Ind.; Sarah, and Nancy, wife of John Poling, a farmer of Marshall county, Ind.; Sarah, and Nancy, wife of John Stout, a farmer of Calhoun county, W. Va.  Isaac Stemple, the father of these children, was a native of Pennsylvania, and of Dutch descent, while his wife was a native of Germany.      Peter Johnson was by occupation a farmer, and for some sixteen years was also county surveyor.  He also held some other minor offices.  During the war he was a democrat, and the sheriff; was at one time captured by the rebel forces; being held at Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio, seven months as a hostage.  His nephew, J. R. Phillips, was a captain in the Confederate army, and is now a farmer and teacher of Valley Furnace, W. Va.  He is a prominent politician, an able orator and a man of great influence in his part of the state.  William Johnson, of Meadowville, W. Va., a first cousin of Peter Johnson, was a colonel in the Mexican war, and was also a representative in congress from his district.  A son of his, named Martin, was a captain in the Confederate army, and was killed at Upper Sinks, W. Va.  His second son, Isaac Van Derver Johnson, was a school-teacher, later county clerk, and at the present time is the auditor of state of West Virginia.  Levi Johnson, also a cousin of Peter Johnson, is a prominent and successful attorney of Glenville, Gilmer county, W. Va., and has served as county clerk.  His two sons, Granville and Albert, are both graduates of the West Virginia State university, and are prominent teachers of that state.      Lewis N. Johnson was reared on the farm in West Virginia, and educated at Meadowville, where, in 1879, he began teaching a school, which was located on the battle ground of Carrick's Ford, at the junction of Black fork and Shaffer's fork of Cheat river.  In 1880 he taught one term at Calhoun, and on Oct. 28, 1881, removed to Mercer county, Ohio, almost immediately after arriving there passing successfully an examination for a teacher's certificate.  He taught one year in Dublin township, and in 1882 and 1883 taught in the Manly district in Black Creek township.  In the spring of 1884 he was elected superintendent of the Rockford high school, receiving a unanimous vote over six other applicants for the position.  This position he held until 1886, giving entire satisfaction to all concerned.  During the summer of 1886 he purchased eight acres of land in Black Creek township with money saved from his salary as teacher, and he has lived upon his farm ever since,, farming and clearing his land during his vacations.  At the present time all but five acres of his eighty is under cultivation.      July 28, 1883, he married Sarah C. Addy, daughter of John and Catherine Ann (Albert) Addy, and to this marriage there have been born five children, as follows:  John Ray, born June 21, 1885; Walter LeRoy, born Oct. 21, 1886; Retta A., born Feb. 28, 1888; Addy D., born Aug. 12, 1890, and Nellie Belle, born Sept. 28, 1892.  Miss Sarah C. Addy was born in Mercer county, Ohio, Oct. 24, 1851, and is a member of the United Brethren church.  Her father, John Addy, was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, in 1825, and with his father removed to Mercer county in 1848.  These two, father and son, purchased 160 acres of what for years had been considered worthless lands, being too swampy for any one else to buy, paying therefore $160.50.  Upon reaching this land, in 1849, and buying some meat, a barrel of flour and a cow, Mr. Addy had no money left.  He then worked for other farmers, assisting them in clearing land, in order to get something for his family to live upon, in intervals clearing some of his own swampy land.  Later he commenced a system of draining his land, which, together with his industrious tillage, has converted the once worthless swamp into a good farm - one of the best in the county, and some say it is the best.  Two of Mr. Addy's brothers were in the war, William and Jabez, the latter dying in the hospital at Nashville, Tenn while in his country's service.      Lewis N. Johnson taught school five terms in Black Creek township in 1886 and 1887, in district No. 8; two years in district No. 9, and two years in district No. 4.  He then returned to district No. 9, and taught six months.  After this he taught one term in No. 8, and in 1894 and 1895, two terms in Liberty township.  During the winter of 1895 - 96, he taught the Center school in Black Creek township, the last school that he has taught so far.  He holds a three years' certificate as teacher, and has always been successful.  His farm land is considered among the best in the county.  This farm he constantly keeps in cultivation, and in addition to his teaching and farming has for some time been practicing law, though as yet only in a justice's court, as he has not been admitted to the bar.  His first plea in a justice's court was thus commended by the Rockford Press:      "Mr. L. N. Johnson was attorney for the defence.  Mr. Johnson, although a farmer, is a fluent speaker.  *  *  *  His plea to the jury was one among the best we ever listened to in a justice's court, and Lewiss many friends predict a bright future for him in the legal profession, for which he is qualifying himself."      He has since plead many cases, and with the exception of his first, has not lost a case.  Next year he will attend a law school and will then apply for admission to the bar, and without doubt will be a bright and shining light in the profession of the law.  The stuff he is made of is indicated by the fact that although he started out in life without a penny to his name, he has by his own indomitable energy, and determination to succeed, accomplished much, both in the way of accumulating property, and in making a name for himself before the world.  In politics he is a strong democrat and has served frequently as delegate and as committeeman.  He is a member of Shanes lodge, No. 377, F. & A. M., has held all the offices in his lodge, and is held in high esteem by all the members, as well as by the public at large. Source: A Portrait & Biographical Record of Mercer and Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co. - 1896 - Page 375

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