The times-herald. [volume] (Burns, Harney County, Or.) 1896-1929, 1906-05-19
W. W. JOHNSON.

W, W. Johnson, the old time pi.
oneer, passed away at his home in
this city last Saturday night from
u complication Of diseases. "Broa-
dy," a. he was familiary known all
over the state, was an energetic man
who did much unselfish work for
the advancement of Harvey county
aud was character that appealed
to many people. He had many
near friends among the old timers
Of Eastern Oregon who regret his
death.
The funeral took place from the
family residence SUNDAY afternoon
aud was one Of the largest attended
in the history Of Burns Hardly a
pioneer but what coulo recall some
kindly net or personal obligation
owed to the deceased. The services
we're conducted by Rev. A. b. Min
aker Of the Baptist church. The
following biographical sketch Of
his life is taken from the recent
history published Of this county
Hiram a Johnson was born IN
1919, and his wife, Elizabeth j.,
was born in the same year In the
spring Of lSI7 they started from
Illinois across the plains, and near
the site Of Fort Hall occurred the
birth Of their son, the subject OF
this sketch. This birth was In
covered wagon, and Oh May 20, IS
A. They came on TO Marion coun-
", Oregon, and the father selected
donation claim near Jefferson
That was the scene Of Williams
childhood, and there he was edu-
GATED aud at the age OF eighteen ap-
preniioed TO Benjamin VanBuren to
learn the blacksmith trade. Mrs
Johnson died in 1897, aud her hus.
baud passed away in 1896 They
bad removed from the farm ia rs
y, aud lived in that city at the
tine OF their death.
At Jefferson. on February %, IS
90, William W. married Miss Caro-
line, daughter Of David and Hester
Harris Our subject worked at his
trade in jefferson until 1873, then
came with a band Of his own cattle
10 the vicinity of Mitchell, Wheeler
county. He named the town for
ex-senator Mitchell. Mr. Johnson
operated a blacksmith shop and
handled his cattle until 1875, then
sold out and returned TO Marion
county. He next accepted posi-
ton as agency black smith on the
Maihcur reservation, remaining un-
iii 1873. This year marked the
outbreak of the Bannooks and Pi-
utes, and Mr.. Johnson took his
family 10 Canyon City, but upon
his return to the agency all had
lied. He returned to Canyon City
aud accepted position as black
smith to shoe the government hoT-
ses and accompanied the soldiers
ia the expeditions, He witnessed
some lighting, especially at Castle
Rock Following the war he was
Engaged as post blacksmith at Camp
Harney until that was abandoned
n 1882, and then he remained with
he buildings until 1882. Ii was
n this year that, in company with
lohn Robinson, Mr.. Johnson built
he iirst house In Burns. Ii was
coated where the Burns hotel now
stands, and was a hotel and bar
'oom. Since that date Mr.. John
son has been identihed with the
own Of Burns and the county of
Harney. He has always been pro.
,rvssiye, and for two years he was
deputy United States marshal un-
Ter Marshal Barran.
To Mr.. and Mrs. johnson there
nave been born seven children
'lrs. Ada NJ, Mothershead, near Sc
'ttle, Washington; Charles w,
Lloyd L., Eldon E., Mrs. Hester Z.
Goodman, Mrs. Lulu ]. McHargue,
III Of this county; and Leon NJ. at