The Taney County republican., 1906-12-06
An obituary sko.ch of j. q. johnson.

On the 9th of August, lSi0, IN the
town OF Albany, the county seat OF
Clinton county, Kentucky, ]. G. john
son was born. He lived on farm and
attended the schools of his native viii
lage until he was young man in his
teens, when he procured certificate
and taught in the public schools OF his
county until he was twenty.
Having chosen his helpmate for life,
he was married to Sarah Z. Groce,
July 0, 1860, in Overton county,
Tennessee. To this union were born
seven children: p. W. johnson, the
eldest, now residing at Forsyth; Mrs.
w. c. Cross, who resides at Bradley.
Vile; Mrs. Chas. NJ. Bunch, of Vinson,
Oklahoma; Mrs. A. ]. Hicks, OF For
syth;J. c. johnson Jr., now resident
of Billings, Montana; Miss Laura
johnson, who resides in the home OF
her mother at this place; and John Fl.
johnson, deceased, who died July 10,
1867, at Sodoras, Illinois, at the age OF
two years, two months and eight days.
When the civil war broke out he en-.
listed and saw service at the battle Of
Mill Springs. Being in poor health
he was sent home from there, and with
his father, mother, brothers and sis.
ters, wife and eldest son, removed to
Illinois in the fall OF 1861. Here he
again engaged in teaching school. His
health again failing, he with his
family, his brother and family, came
TO this county, locating at Swan, where
he engaged in merchandising and was
also made postmaster.
In 1872 he purchased farm near
Bradleyville, and with his family
lived thereon for number OF years.
The same year he was elected sheriff
and collector Of Taney county, the
offices being combined at that date.
In 1874 he was elected representative
from Tancy county, and was again
elected to tho same Office in 1879. Du-
ring, this time be was awarded a
diploma from a medical college In St.
Louis, and engaged in the active prac.
tice Of medicine, profession for which
he had studied since childhood. In
1885 he was q third time elected to the
legislature. In 1894 he was elected
clerk OF the circuit court and ex.ofiicio
recorder OF deeds for the county, in
which capacity he served for period
OF eight years.
In 1906 he was induced 10 make the
race for recorder OF deeds. Within
week after the announcement OF his
candidacy he was stricken with pneu'
monia. In March this seemed to be
yielding to his own treatment, when
a heart trouble developed. Local
physicians were called and he seemed
10 improve. Though unable TO make
a campaign he was nominated by hi:
party over two opponents by about FIVE
hundred plurality. But the results o.
the primary did not help him in hi'
sufferings, and he steadily grew worse
when Hon. w. NJ. Wade, state banl
examiner, lifelong friend, sent DR.
Elkins, of Springfield, Missouri, to see
him. DR.. Elkins, who is one OF the lead.
ing surgeons of southwest Missouri
with local physicians, performed {
surgical operation which seemed u
help him for a number OF days.
He again grew worse, and on Jul!
lst, accompanied by his faithful wife
| Miss Laura, his son, P. W., ]. c. L
Mcknight and DR.. G. Z. Pierce, he en-
tered ST. Johns hospital at Spring
field, where he remained until the las
days Of September, when he returnc'
to his home, apparently much improves
in health. He was able to drive abou
town, and was permitted TO attend tn
laying OF the corner stone OF Tn
School OF the Ozarks.
But it was made clear 10 him tina
his days were numbered. That he ha,
been weighed In the balance an
found wanting" the Spirit Of the livin
God whispered to him. Although
man OF great moral rectitude, wit
many christian traits OF character, th
. Great Teacher said to him, as I
Nicodemus Of old, aye must be Dor
again. To the accomplishment {
this purpose he prayed God 10 spar
his life, and the fervency with which b
sought this ''pearl Of greatest price
none but he and his Maker will eve
know. How he longed for the you'll
fal workings Of the Holy Spirit ths
had been thrust aside! How gladl
he would have attuned the rytbm I
his whole life TO the music Of th
. Christian Tyre whose music still faint
echoed adown the corridors OF tim
from his mothers knee. How b
loDged to have time turn backwar
in its fight that he might again wit