WILLIAM H. JOHNSON, was born in Morgan County, Indiana,
January 18, 1844, a son of Thomas E. and Lydia (Davis) Johnson. His parents
came to Iowa in 1861, and settled in Jackson Township, Clarke County, where his
mother died. His father is now a resident of the village of Woodburn. January 15, 1862, our subject enlisted in the
defense of his country, and was assigned to Company I, Fifteenth Iowa Infantry.
He soon after went to the front, his first battle being Shiloh, where his
regiment and company lost heavily. His colonel and captain were wounded, and
his Lieutenant, Robert Hamilton, was killed. On account of failing health Mr.
Johnson was discharged in the summer of 1862, and returned home. regaining his
health he again enlisted, and was assigned to his old company, but was again
taken sick, and did not recover in time to take part in any active service. He
was discharged May 6, 1865, and has since engaged in agricultural pursuits. He
owns a good farm of 120 acres on section 34, Jackson Township, where he has
lived since his marriage. He was married in the fall of 1865 to Rebecca Laval,
daughter of Joseph Laval, of Wayne County. They have four children – Franklin
A., Sylvia, Calvin B. and Robert S. Mr. Johnson is a member of Post No. 385,
G.A.R. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Record of Clarke
County, Iowa, Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1886 p. 385-6
