Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1881-12-10
"BIG JOHN JOHNSON"
A VENERABLE AND POPULAR PEDES-
TRAN.

A MAN Who Has Solved the Problem of
Longevity.
Few of the old men of the lower end arc
SO well known and fewer still so we'll pre-
served as John johnson, "Old John John
son." "Big John Johnson" of Little
Britain township. He comes to Lancaster
often, and has many friends and acquain-
tances in this city. lie is jovial and talka-
tive, and picks up acquaintance with and
is frequently interviewed by passengers on
tho Quarryvllle railroad trains, but few
suspect and none seem to know his exact
age. He is tall and straight, with ruddy face
and gray hair, and always wears that stiff,
haIf-high ad-brim hat. Just how old
he is, is matter that he let's ono fellah
find out" and estimates differ, some put
ting him as high as 80, and he rather likes
to be ovcrrated. He, himself, says nc is a
widower and does not propose to "givc
away his age SO long rs he is eligible to
matrimonial reelection. He says he is not
day older than when his wife died
December 18th, 1S6S-when it is said by
some persons he was 6G. IIe is certainly
between So and 90 years of age, and his
vigor and vitality are something wonder
full, considering the exposures 20 which he
has been subject. He can read on clear
day without glasses; his powers of en-
durance arc remarkable, and he chews TO-
bacco with a relish that age has not tanned.
Vn &c c.nsI Of Ir;n1- 1,nf hn
stopped smoking nearly thirty years ago,
when he found himself unconsciously tack
ling the fifth scgar in succession. He has
used the weed IS years and is satisfied it
does not kill. Years ago he made frequent
trips to the West for stock, and has crossed
the Alleghenies OH foot six times. Sixteen
times-eight trips out and as many home
ward-he made from Lancaster to Ohio on
ono horse Ic used to walk from Lancas-
ter to the West, carrying Lancaster county
money with him, which he exchanged for
Ohio money, receiving 10 per cent. rro-
MUM and getting currency which was
just rs good for his purposes. On ono
of these trips, with Il $50 Lancaster county
bank note he bought a pair of horses, re-
turning he sold one of them for as much
as he had paid for both and it was the
other one of this pair which carried him
sixteen times across the mountains. Until
within very late date it was nothing un-
common for him to walk to Lancaster from
his home, some 90 miles down the country,
and back. Over and over again he has
walked to Philadelphia and return. dis
tarcc Of about Sc miles each way, cover
ing the direct trip from dawn to dark of u
long summer day. lie says old David
Grifiiths used to make the trip from sun
rise to sunset. Johnson himself one day
walked from .ReamstOwn, this county, to
Orwigsburgh, Schuylkill county and, after
arriving there. went three miles to camp
meeting and back the same night.
John Jol,nson's grandfather emigratcd
from Ireland; his grandmother was a
Welsh woman. His father and himself
were born IN Little Britain, ad Joining where
he now lives lie has never been an active
politician voted for jackson the first time
hc ran and the first time he was elected,
but after the administration moved the
bank deposits he became Wing and
thereafter 4 Republican,. lie has seven
children living and three dead. and his
sons, Arthur, James, John and Frank, are
among the solid aud most esteemed citi-
zens of the lower end.