James H. Johnson

 

SOURCE: "History of Champaign County, Illinois with Illustrations," 1878

SURNAMES: COFFMAN, DOUDEN, JOHNSON, SMITH

 

JAMES H. JOHNSON (Deceased) was born in Fayette county, Ohio, May 28th, 1826. His parents, Wm. and Jane (DOUDEN) JOHNSON, were natives of Maryland, and moved to Ohio at an early day. His youth was passed in his native county, where he availed himself of every opportunity for self-improvement, and managed, notwithstanding the lack the lack of anything like systematic study, in acquiring a fair education. When about eighteen years of age he met with the sad bereavement of losing his father, and together with his widowed mother moved to Lexington, Highland county, Ohio. He married, August 10th, 1853, Miss Matilda COFFMAN, who was also born in Washington, Fayette county, Ohio. She was the eldest child of Samuel and Nancy (SMITH) COFFMAN. Her father was born in Kentucky, and was brought to Ohio when a child. Her mother was born in Ohio. After their marriage Mr. Johnson was for several years engaged in the stock business in Ohio. In the fall of 1856 he came west and located in Piatt county, near the line of Champaign. Here he remained several years still following his business of stock dealer. He finally moved to the present family residence about one mile east of Mahomet, where he died after an illness of nearly four months' duration, February 18th, 1870. By the above union they had four children, in the following order of their births: Samuel Curtis, Alice Grace, who died August 30th, 1877, after a brief illness, just as she was about to enter Champaign college for her second year, Luetta, and Nancy J., who are still residing with their mother. Mr. Johnson was a most estimable man; he was a good son, and, as always follows, a good husband and father. He was a man of considerable enterprise, always actively engaged in business. His character was without a blemish, and motives of honesty and integrity guided him in all his transactions. His premature death was not only a loss to his family, but as is the case with all good and public-spirited men, one to the community.