William Johnson ( Seneca County , NY ) William Johnson ( December 8 , 1821 – October 10 , 1875 ) was a New York State businessman and politician . Early life and entry into politics . William Johnson was born on December 8 , 1821 in Williamstown , Massachusetts , to David Johnson and Olive ( Stodard ) Johnson . The family removed to Frankfort , New York , where David died in 1825 . At 14 , William began studies in mechanics , and without completing a degree he began work as a contractor on public works projects . It was his work on the New York State Canal System from 1849 through 1856 that brought him to Seneca Falls , New York . There he married in the summer of 1855 Angeline Chamberlain ( died 1901 ) , daughter of Congressman Jacob P . Chamberlain . The couple had five sons , the last surviving of whom was Charles Chamberlain Johnson . The Johnson residence still stands on Cayuga Street in Seneca Falls , and is being developed into condominiums after years as a home for women . In 1859 , Johnson entered into the manufacture of knit goods . He was a Democratic member of the New York State Assembly ( Seneca Co . ) in 1861 , and was a member of the Canals Committee and the Commerce and Navigation Committee . Civil War . When the American Civil War began , he was appointed by Governor Edwin D . Morgan as Seneca County representative to the War Committee , responsible for procuring troops and supplies . In 1862 , he assembled 1200 men at Camp Swift in Geneva , New York . He was appointed Colonel and led the 148th Regiment into the war . He resigned his commission and returned to New York in late 1863 , citing ill health , but continued to support the Union cause at home . In the years following his Army service , Johnson became a contractor for railroad construction . New York State Senate . He was a member of the New York State Senate ( 26th D . ) from 1872 to 1875 , sitting in the 95th , 96th , 97th and 98th New York State Legislature s . He was elected to the New York State Senate in the fall of 1871 , as a Democrat representing the 26th District , then comprising Ontario , Seneca , and Yates counties . He was elected with a vote majority cited between 950 and 1500 in a primarily Republican district . He became a member of the standing committees on Canals , Manufactures , and Grievances . During this first senate term , then - State Senator William M . Tweed was embroiled in his corruption and embezzlement scandal . As Chairman of the Special Committee investigating Tweed in the State Senate , Johnson went to meet with Tweed , who declared himself too sick to speak with the Senator . Being charged with only 30 days in which to act on the matter , Johnson used what he viewed as Republican attempts at interference as leverage to aid in the passage of his bill for the creation of an investigatory panel . " Boss Tweed " was convicted in 1873 . Johnson was re - elected to the State Senate by a margin of less than 200 votes . During his second term as a State Senator , he was a member of the committees on Canals , Manufactures , and Militia . On October 11 , 1875 , Johnson returned to Seneca Falls after having been in New York City . He fell ill that afternoon and died hours later of unreported causes . Personality . Johnson was remembered as being kind , personable , and frank . As a State Senator he was regarded as being well - versed in many subjects as well as a deft conversationalist . He was known as a jovial man , with a sharp wit and strong sense of irony .