The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1874-11-19
Death Of Hon. Ralph C. johnson

Sir Isaac johnson, supposed to have been a rel
alive Of his in the ship Arbella, named after
the lady of the latter. Capt. johnson settled
in that part Of Charleston now called Woburn.
He was the author of a history of New Eng
land from 1928 to 1852 under the quaint title of
the History of the woodworking Provi-
dence of lions Savior" which, although pub
lished in London, is said to have been the first
book composed in this country. He was Speak
er of the Massachusetts House of Representa-
tives, and died in 1872, leaving five sons. Oba-
diah, has grandson, emigrated from Woburn to
Canterbury, Conn.,, in 1890, having purchased
with others, an extensive tract of land of the
heirs of Gov. Winthrop. His son Obadiah,
born April 10, 1902, inherited three thousand
acres. For wealth, and religious and political
| influence, the latter was one of the principal
men in that part of the colony. His death was
occasioned by an accident April 10, 1865, on
his siXty-third birthday. To each of his five
sons he left a large and fertile farm. Jacob.
the fourth son, was the father of Rev, Alfred
johnson, and the grandfather of the subject OF
| this notice. Rev. Alfred johnson was born at
Plainteld, Conn.,, July %. 1866, and graduated
| at Dartmouth College in 1875. lie was settled
| over the Congregational church i'll Freeport,
Me-, sixteen years, and in 1905. became the
| second minister of Belfast, where he died Jan.
y. 1887, aged seventy wears, " distinguished
| for learning, genius and eloquence, and for an
uncommon acuteness of metaphysical and
| scriptural augmentation
| The subject of this notice was born in Free
| port. Sept. %, 1890. His mother was the
| daughter of Gen Ralph Cross, distinguished
| merchant of Newburyport, who served during
| the Revolution, and commanded regiment at
| the surrender of Gen. Burgoyne. For one of
| her time, she possessed rare accomplishments.
| She died April 6, 1888, aged seyenty-two. BY
| the Orthodox demoni nation through the state,
| she was long an acknowledged " mother in
| Israel" The only other child of Mr.. John
sons parents was Judge Alfred johnson, born
| in Newburyport, Aug. Is, 1883, and whl died
| here March -, 1872, aged 81.
Soon after the commencement of his fathers
ministry here, Mr.. johnson, then lad of Tiff
teen obtained employment as clerk in the store
Of James Nesnith, the principal village trader.
| Such was his industry and capacity that when
| Mr.. Nesmith retired, on account of his health,
| in 1909, young johnson became his successor,
and was therefore established in active business
at the early age of eighteen. He continued to
| occupy the store until 1916, when he remove ed
toj the building now the PneniX House. He
relnquished the details of buying and selling
| goods about 1886, although he was the silent
partner of a firm for several years later.
Mr.. Johnson's career as a public man COM
| menced in 1920, when he was chosen 4 repre-
| sentative from Belfast and Northport to the
first Legislature of the State OF Maine. OF the
distinguished men who composed tina body,
he was almost the sole survivor, the venerable
| Peeg Sprague, then of Hallowell, but for many
years past a resident of Boston, being among
the few now living. He was again elected to
the House of Representatives for 1926, 1927
1928 and 1887. While a member in 1927, the
| County Of Waldo was established, chiefly
through his efforts and the name conferred at
4 his suggestion, in memory of Gen Samuel
| Waldo, who originally owned nearly all the
territory within its limits. In 1881, he was
chosen an executive councillor from this dis
trict, Hon Samuel f. Smith of Wiscasset, be.
ing Governor His associates, Isaac Lane, Of
| York County, Allen II. Cobb, of Cumberland
Joseph Howard, of Oxford. William Emerson
of Penobscot, Hezekiah Prince, of Lincoln
| and Abijah Smith, of Kennebec, have long
since deceased. Gov. Smith died in 1860. A
similar position was rendered to Mr.. johnson
| in lS41, under Gov Kent, but declined He
was the first treasurer of Waldo County, and
president Of the Waldo Bank, the first institll-
ton OF the kind here. AT the annual town meet
l ipfrl : inch, +I,o
ception of single year, ne presided as moder-
ator, and in 1886, acted as chairman of the
board Of selectmen. In 1858, when Belfast be-
came a city, his name was suggested for May
or, TO which position he was unanimously
elected His long experience in our CONNER
! cial affairs was instrumental in organizing the
| new government upon a basis Of economy and
individual responsibility which it still retains.
This was the last political office which he held
Inpolitical sentiments Mr.. johnson was origi-
nally a Democrat, and as such received the nomi-
nation for Congress in 1926. He was delegate
to the National Convention which in 1885 nomi-
mated Mr.. Van Buren, for President. Suisse
| quently, he followed the fortunes of the Wing
party, and was strong supporter Of Harrison
in 1910, of Clay in 1874 and of Tyler in lS49 His
/ pclSouil lcldlOuS w lllC ldlltI were lIlluEu-
| tial and a station of high honor was placed at
| his disposal, but declined.
| Although Mr.. johnson had the advantage of
| only common school education, his habits of
| general reading, his tenacious memory. and his
| association with men of intelligence and of
| varied requirements, rendered him correct
writer, and forcible and an impressive speak
er. In matters of finance and of political econo-
my he was always particularly versed, The
result of his sagacity and the experie nee of
| over sixty years of uninterrupted success, is a
compact and judiciously invested estate, prob
| ably exceeding that Of any one in this section.
Mr.. johnson, to grace his high mental endow-
ments, possessed tall and commanding figure,
and an agreeable address, Afable and Access
| sible to all, however humble, he viii long be
! missed in the community where for so many
| years he has been prominent citizen His vigor
Gus constitution and correct habits secured for
| him an exemption from the diseases which usu-
ally accompany old age. His physical strength
continued good, until within a short time before
| his death; and although his mental powers re-
| manned unimpairea, within few months it be-
| came painfully evident that his earthly course
was approaching an end. Surrounded by de-
voted friends, and in the home which he had
| occupied since early manhood, he awaited the
| inevitable summons with calmness and resgna-
| ton,
| 9TH, like clock worn out with beating time
The wheels of weary life at last stood still"
| Mr.. johnson was twice married, first Dec. l.
+, 1889, to Miss Sarah Wnslow, daughter of Ben
| jamin Cushing, Esq, of Camden, who died Oct
| Is, 1913, leaving one son, who succeeds to his
| fathers name and estate. His second wife, to
whom he was married in November, 1S47, was
Miss Frances d., daughter of the late Hon.
William Mcclellan of Warren. W.
"A cock that didn' crow over the Mass
achusetts victory The one in Ben Buffers
eye.
Ross 4 Howell. of Bangor, are going