National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-05-22


safely at the old home, but here he was de-
tanned for more than six weeks on account
of the sickness of his wife. She having
sufficiently recovered to 90 with him, he
took small boat on the Potomac and
crossed into Maryland. Seeing revenue
cutter In the river he asked to be taken on
board, but was refused by the officer In
change, and was referred to another steamer
In the river near by. He attempted to get
aboard this steamer and failed, and re-
manned in the river In small boat with his
wife and child until he was picked up by q
sailing vessel and brought to Alexandria;
from there he came to Washington and
entered the contraband camp. Again
safe within the Union lines, he at once went
to work as day laborer to support his
wife and child.
lie had not been In Washington long be-
fore he was taken sick and wasisent for treat
ment to the Haywood hospital, where he
remained for about three months. Re-
covering his health he was employed as
overseer over a number Of hands working
around the hospital. Up to this time he
had never had any opportunities OF educa-
tion, not being able either to read or
write. But while he was at the Haywood
hospital night school was organized
taught by different soldiers on duty there,
and as the term Of one soldier would expire
another would take charge Of the school,
Often while at work during the day he
would have his book before him, studying
as he worked, aud when night ar
rived he had perfectly learned his lesson.
In the spring Of 1865 lie enlisted in the 43d
United States colored infantry, and served
until December OF that year, when he was
mustered out Of service at Brownsville,
Texas, and afterward taken to Philadel-
phia, where he was discharged from the
army. Returning to Washington from
Philadelphia he again entered night
school, working every day as laborer.
This enabled him to support his family and
at the same time he was acquiring fair
education.
The school he attended was the Home
Mission school of the Wayland University.
Rev. Mr.. johnson first connected himself
with the Fourth Baptist Church at its
organization, in 1864, as private member
In 1867 he Joined the Nineteenth Street
Baptist Church, and was there ordained as
a minister and sent 10 take charge of the
church at Falls Church, Fairfax county, Va
He remained there until 1870, when he was
called to the Fourth Baptist Church, his
present charge, and since that time he has
devoted himself to the upbuilding OF that
church. The membership of the church at
first was small and the members poor, and
to enable him to serve them and at the
same time to support his family, in 1873 he
u
man at the white house under President
Grant, aud served there during the remain
der OF President Grants term and under
President Hayes until the fall of 1850. Not
withstanding the demands made upon his
time, Mr. johnson has found time to dis
charge his duties as q Master Mason, as an
Odd Fellow, and as the past grand chief Of
the Order of Good SamOritans. In addition to
allhs other duties, IN 1880 be organized Il day
school at hall on X street, into which was
gathered forty children, many OF whom
had been denied admission into the public
schools Of the city, and some OF whom had
been dismissed from the schools, and from
this school sixty children have been re-
turned to the public schools.
The Fourth Baptist Church, organized in
1864, had at first no church building, but
held their services In the old barracks on
X street, between Twelfth and Thirteenth
streets. In 1865 the church purchased two
good lots Of land on r street, and lmme-
diately commenced to erect a frame build
ing for church purposes, that being the
best they could do with their limited
means. The building was not entirely
finished when Mr.. johnson took charge Of
the church In 1870. With characteristic
zeal MIR. Johnson applied himself to the
work. and succeeded IN raising means sufll-
Client to complete the building, which was
done, and 1872 1t was dedicated to the SER
vice Of God. That building was used until
1859, when the congregation, having greatly
increased II was then too small to
accommodate them, and, In addition, the
building not being considered In a safe con-
dition, II was decided to tear II down and
erect a substantial brick church sufficient 10
accommodate the church aud its constantly
growing membership. Two additional lots