Robert Johnson, Sr., father of Manelius Johnson, was born in Monroe County, W. Va. In September, 1881, he passed his eighty-fifth year. In 1840, he settled on the farm in Carroll County, where he lives to-day. Elizabeth (Christie) Johnson, wife of Robert Johnson Sr., is also a native of Virginia. Both Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are of English descent. The homestead of this venerable couple adjoins the farm of the subject of this biographical sketch.
Manelius Johnson was born and reared on the Johnson homestead, in Burlington Township, Carroll Co., Ind., on the 12th of February, 1841.
Obtaining a district school education, in 1861, he left the parental roof, and began farming and dealing in stock on his own responsibility, on a tract of land of 134 acres, the gift of his father. Since that date, by the exercise of good judgement and a wise economy, he has added to his original grant 475 acres. This immense body of land, of 609 acres, located within half a mile of his birthplace, on the south side of Wildcat Creek, about two and a half miles west of the town of Burlington, and unsurpassed in the county in fertility of soil, doubtless, the largest contiguous quantity of land owned by any one farmer within the limits of Carroll County. In 1879, Mr. Johnson added to the already numerous and commodious wooden improvements of his farm, a frame residence, which, for architectural beauty, commands the attention and remark of all who pass that way.
Possessing a good eye, fine taste, and natural love for domestic animals, early life induced him to engage in the stock business. In one season, as an indication of the extensiveness of his labors in that direction, he handled over $45,000 worth of hogs and cattle. Working in this particular pursuit, he has gained an enviable reputation as an honest, conscientious and reliable dealer.
Mr. Johnson is a man of strong and abiding convictions, advocating boldly and fearlessly whatever he thinks to be right and true. In politics, he has been connected with the Independent Greenback movement for several years. Yet, comparatively speaking, a young man, and in the vigor and prime of his morning’s manhood, his substantial success in life is a surprise to all, and should be a matter of great pride to himself and numerous friends.
County Coordinator: Suzy Sprague suzyq.wa@worldnet.att.net