BIO: Matthew W. JOHNSON, Clearfield County, PA
 
Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja & Sally

Copyright 2005.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/

NOTE: Use this web address to access other bios:
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/1picts/swoope/swoope.htm
_____________________________________________________________

From Twentieth Century History of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania,
and Representative Citizens, by Roland D. Swoope, Jr.,
Chicago: Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, 1911, pages 821 & 822.
_____________________________________________________________ 

  MATTHEW W. JOHNSON, a well known and highly respected citizen of Greenwood 
township, was born on his present farm September 19, 1849, a son of James and 
Sarah (Stugarts) Johnson.  In addition to carrying on agriculture Mr. Johnson is 
interested in the H. S. Thomas Milling Company, whose plant is located on his 
farm.
  Mr. Johnson's paternal grandfather, Samuel Johnson, came to Clearfield county 
from Center county, Pa., settling on a farm near Grampian, in Penn township.  
After clearing and developing this land, he moved to Indiana, where he died in 
1868.  The farm was sold in 1850 and is now owned by James D. Wall.  Samuel 
Johnson had seven children, namely:  James, William, John, Garrison, Thirza, 
Elizabeth and Nancy.
  James Johnson, father of Matthew W., was born in 1806 near Milesburg, Center 
county, Pa., and in 1812 accompanied his parents to Clearfield county.  He 
assisted his father in the clearing and development of the pioneer farm, and 
later, with his brother, Elah Johnson, bought a tract of land and built and 
operated a saw-mill.  Subsequently, with the help of his sons, James Johnson 
established the first woolen mill in this section, erecting it on his farm in 
Greenwood township.  He continued to operate it until the spring of 1884, when 
he sold it to his son, John Johnson.  He acquired some 700 acres of land and, in 
association with William Irwin, was the owner of 600 additional acres.  He was a 
life-long Democrat, but not a politician.  A shrewd and careful business man, 
but honest and upright, he was universally esteemed.  His death took place when 
he was in the eighty-first year of his age, on June 28, 1887, and he was buried 
on one of his own farms.
  As above indicated, James Johnson married Sarah Stugarts, who was born in Penn 
township, Clearfield county, Pa., a daughter of John and Elsie Stugarts.  She 
died in 1904, in her eighty-eighth year, and was buried in the Friends' cemetery 
at Grampian, both she and her husband belonging to the Society of Friends.  To 
James and Sarah Johnson the following children were born:  William P., who lives 
in Ferguson township, Clearfield county; John and David, both of whom met 
accidental deaths, the former being killed by a kick from a horse, and the 
latter by a fall of lumber; Hannah, who is the wife of C. A. Thorp; Matthew W., 
the subject of this sketch; James A., who resides on a farm in Greenwood 
township; Frank, who was accidentally by a falling tree; and Elizabeth, who is 
the wife of William Rowles.
  Matthew W. Johnson was educated in the district schools of Penn and Greenwood 
townships.  For seventeen years he was financially interested in the woolen mill 
which his father had established on the home place, but finally finding himself 
unable to compete with the larger and more heavily capitalized concerns in his 
line of trade, he was obliged to close the mill and since then has devoted 
himself to milling and farming.  He owns fifty-four acres of valuable land - a 
part of the old homestead - and carries on general farming.  He is one of the 
leading members of Greenwood Grange.  He started his present mill enterprise on 
Bell Run, his son-in-law, Sherman Thomas, being interested therein with him.  
The latter is also foreman for a concrete company.
  Mr. Johnson was first married in January, 1872, to Miss Susannah Bloom, a 
daughter of Thomas Bloom.  She died in October, 1873, and was buried in the 
McNaul cemetery.  One child was born to this marriage, Thomas Bruce Johnson.  
Mr. Johnson was married secondly, July 1, 1875, to Miss Martha E. Moore, a 
daughter of Jeremiah Moore, and they have four children:  Ralph, Harry B., 
Hannah Lola and Alvin M.  Ralph is bookkeeper for the Bickford Fire Brick 
Company.  He is a graduate of the Williamsport Commercial College and a former 
school teacher.  He married Jennie Rafferty, a daughter of John W. Rafferty, and 
they have four children - Burt, Annie, Orvil and Nora.  Harry B. Johnson is a 
resident of Price county, Wisconsin, where he holds the office of deputy county 
surveyor.  He married Amanda Mungason and they have four children - Fred, 
Nellie, Alvin and Mae.  Hannah Lola married Sherman Thomas and they have three 
children - Ansel, Ruby and Georgia.  Alvin M. Johnson is a student of law in the 
University of Valparaiso, Ind.  He formerly taught four terms of school in 
Clearfield county.  Mr. Johnson and family belong to the Society of Friends.