History of Bucks
County, Pa Volume 3 by William H. Davis
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H. WATSON JOHNSONH. WATSON JOHNSON, a prosperous agriculturist, son of Charles and Esther (STRAWN) JOHNSON, was born November 11, 1832, on the farm where he now resides, it being part of the original tract acquired by Casper JOHNSON (great-grandfather), the first of that family to come to the colony of Pennsylvania, emigrating from his home in Holland early in the eighteenth century. Casper JOHNSON (grandfather), son of the emigrant ancestor, was born on the farm now owned by Henry JOHNSON, the farm owned by H. Watson JOHNSON being part of that tract. Charles JOHNSON (father), son of Casper and Geborah [sic] JOHNSON, was born on the homestead farm. He attended the subscription schools of his community, and followed farming. He was a man of considerable fame as a farmer and man of affairs in northern Bucks county, and in his immediate neighborhood was looked upon as a leading agriculturist. His employes [sic] always received recognition and their just dues for faithful service, and his home was always a resort for neighborly intercourse. He was a member of the Whig party, and took an active interest in its affairs. He married Esther STRAWN, daughter of Abel and Elizabeth STRAWN, of Haycock township, and had issue: H. Watson, Mary Ann, wife of Aaron WALP, of Quakertown; Oliver James married Maria STOVER, and they reside in Haycock township; Anna Maria, wife of Louis N. SHELLY, of Quakertown. H. Watson JOHNSON attended the subscription schools of Richland township until the free school system was introduced, and later the public schools, completing his studies at the age of eighteen years, and in the meantime assisted on the home farm. For one year after leaving school he clerked in the general store of Mr. H. BUCHACER, at Richlandtown, but, his parents being insistent upon his returning home, he complied with their request and thereafter remained at home. After his marriage he assumed charge of his father's farm, working the same on shares, and continuing thus until the death of his father, February 28, 1879, and at the settlement of the estate he became the owner, purchasing the interest of the other heirs. Since attaining his majority Mr. JOHNSON has taken an active part in the affairs of his community. In politics he is a Republican, and has served his party in local, county and state conventions as delegate, and has also served for fifteen years as director of the local school board. In the campaign of 1874, Mr. JOHNSON, at the solicitation of his party, stood as candidate for the state legislature, and although the county was at that time strongly Democratic, he, with no special effort on his part, came within twenty-two votes of being elected, which was an unmistakable proof of his popularity. Of recent years Mr. JOHNSON has not taken so active a part in political affairs as of yore, devoting his time and attention to the care of his estate, he being of the fourth generation to reside there. Mr. JOHNSON married, November 15, 1855, Margaret KRATZ, daughter of Jacob and Eliza (FRETZ) KRATZ, of Plumstead township. Five children were the issue of this union: 1. Erwin Thomas, now a practicing physician and surgeon at Leidytown, Hilltown township; he married Martha, daughter of Leidy SHEIP. 2. Charles Jacob died in 1878. 3. Oliver Kratz died in 1893. 4. Harvey Ellwood, who attended the township schools, and is now at home, assisting his father with the duties of the farm. 5. Jennie, who married November 7, 1894, Wilson ERDMAN, of Richland township; Dr. and Mrs. ERDMAN reside in Richlandtown. Mr. JOHNSON and his family attend the Union Reformed church at Richlandtown. Text taken from page 221, 222 of: David, William W. H., A. M. History of Bucks County, Pennsylvania [New York-Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1905] Volume III Transcribed June, 2002 by Donna J. Kling of Pennsylvania as part of the Bucks Co., Pa., Early Family Project, Published June 2002 on the Bucks County, Pa., USGenWeb |