The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1888-02-18
Death of James Johnson.

!, tnown citizens Of the Fifth district; died
"bn Saturday afternoon last. His death
vas the result at an attack Of paralysis
eh,
bout d week previous. MIR. Johnson was
he son of Iethro johnson and Ann Win
y, Chester Johnson. He was born in May.
lS2s, and was consequently in the sd
year Of his age. His father carried on
a he wooden manufacturing business near
Bay View aud he spent the days OF his
J. youth in learning this business.
Mr.. johnson took an active interest in
epolitical affairs from youth, and was a
ustaunch Wing as long as that party was
sdn existence. He then became member
sof the American party. Nh. Johnson
! was one of the few readers, in this county,
of the New York Tribune at thaS time,
and an admirer Of Horace Greedy. From
this source and from books he early i'm
bibed anti-savery ideas. An effort was
made about 1888 to have the grand jury
indict Mr.. johnson aud one or two other
parsons for receiving the Tribune but
failed.
Dir. johnson helped organize in 1860
the first Republican club in the county
and was Que OF the los persons in Cecil
county voting for Lincoln in 1860. Forty
two of this number was cast in the Fifth
district
He always referred TO this with par
donable pride, aud but a short time ago
in conversation at THE WIG Office about
the vote for Mr.. Lincoln in Cecil in $780,
we found upon referring to our files that
it was distributed as follows Cecilton,
none; Chesapeake City, 3; Elkton, 13 !;
Fair Hill, %; North East, 40; Rising Sun,
%; Port Deposit. 10; Mt. Pleasant, II !;
Brick Meeting, %. Total, 15S.
He was a active Uuionist throughout
the war. He organized a Uuion CLUB at
Bay View in 1861. A few weeks ago he
gave us as a souvenir of that period the
following letter which relates to meet
ing of this club:
ELKToN, CECIL COUNTY, Nib,
September 25th, 1861.
Geatlemen: Your invitation to address
you next Tuesday evening has just been
received and promptly accept. God will
ing, | will be with you for an interchange
of views at the time appointed, and will
endeavor to bring Mr.. McIntire with me-
Ny whole heart is III this tight, and |
hope and pray that Gods blessing may
attend our efforts, SO that we may be en-
;.lo lad Oh of sylpru tn nc
won by the entire restoration of the
Union and Constitution, in all their
purity and grandeur.
Very truly yours,
JNo. A. ]. CREswELL.
To Messrs.
JAMES JOHNSON, lo
JNo. w. JACKSON, Commute.
JNo. THos. JANNEY, )
Turuin! to the files of THE WING, of
the date referred to, we find the meeting
proved very large and enthusiastic one,
and which exerted a wide influence at
that critical time.
Mr.. johnson was the collector of taxes
for the Fifth district in 1859 and 1860
He was a most efficient officer 1t is
stated that he collected more dog tax in
one year than all other collectors in the
county together. For short time dur.
ing the war he held the position of as.
sistaut assessor OF internal revenue foI
| this county.
In the year 1869 Hon. Hon. J. A. J
| Creswell. then postmaster general, ap
pointed Mr.. johnson to the position OF
| postal clerk on the route between Wash
| ington aud New York which he held
until about 1855 when he resigned owing
to i'll health.
During the raid of Lee into Peunsyl
vania he joined Pennsylvania regiment
end was for some time in the service. He
was several times assigned to perform
important duties
On the night that Lincoln was assassi
mated by J. Wilkes Booth, Mr.. johnson
was in the theatre in Washingto and saw
the tragedy. He assisted in taking The
president to his room. He was a close
friend of Palmer c. Rick ytts, the founder
of THE WING
Mr.. Johnson was never married. Ht
| leaves four brothers and four sisters. o
the former, William Johnson manages thu
wooden mill formerly owned by his fathe
near Bay View; John B. Johnson is ;
carpenter and builder of Wilmington
| H. c. Johnson a farmer residing nea
| Bay View; Jethro johnson who conducts
flour mill. OF the sisters, Jane mar
ried Elijah Hall, formerly of this count,
but now of Nesbraka; Mary A.. is thu
wife of Magistrate Joseph Benjamin, o
Bay View; Deborah, widow of Bale.
Russell and Miss Lydia who resides il
Havre de Grace. Sheriff Samuel NJ
Johnson is a cousin of the deceased.
The funeral took place on Tuesda.
afternoon at one O'Clock from his late
residence aud was very largely attended
Brief services at the house were con
Quoted by the Rev. f. h. Miller and tn
services at the church were conducted
by tue Rev. Mr. Litsinger. There wer
no less than 20 carriages in the funera
cortege. The pail bearers we're Messrs
Robert G. Thackery, j. Wesley Falls
Thomas McCracken, John w. Shippers
Samuel Burns and Charles Stewart. liz
terment was made in the cemetery o
the Bay View NJ. P. Church. There wer
friends present from Washington, Balti
more, Philadelphia and Wilmington, a
we'll as from all parts of the county.
| Tnrrr~