History of Bucks County, Pa Volume 3 by William H. Davis
Names and Page # Index

RICHARD M. JOHNSON, one of the most prosperous farmers of Bucks county, and a man who is held in high esteem by his follow-townsman as an upright, honest and useful citizen, was born in Richland township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, November 22, 1841, the son of Milton and Evaline (EDWARDS) JOHNSON. The progenitor of the JOHNSON family in America was Casper JOHNSON, great-grandfather of Richard M. JOHNSON, who emigrated to this country from Germany at an early day, settling in the province of Pennsylvania, in Upper Bucks county. He married and had a son, Casper JOHNSON.

Casper JOHNSON, junior, grandfather of Richard M. JOHNSON, was born in Richland township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania. He acquired what education the subscription schools of that day afforded, and followed the occupation of blacksmithing all his life. He married Mary GIBSON and had a son, Milton.

Milton JOHNSON, father of Richard M. JOHNSON, was born in 1823 in Richland township, on the farm now owned by Cornelius LOUCKS. He attended the subscription schools, and then turned his attention to farming, which occupation he followed all his life. He was a Whig in politics, but at the formation of the Republican party joined that organization. He married Evaline, daughter of Amos and Abigail (EVANS) EDWARDS, of Quakertown, and the following children were born to them: Richard Moore, mentioned at length hereinafter, Amos, born November 24, 1849, married Anna SHAW, daughter of William and Hannah (MORGAN) SHAW; he is a farmer, living at the corner of Station road and Bethlehem pike, south of Quakertown.

Richard Moore JOHNSON was educated in the common schools of his native place, and also studied in a private school under the preceptorship of Rev. A HORNE, at Quakertown, until his twentieth year. He then located on his father’s farm, which his father had purchased in April, 1842, and assisted with the farm work. In 1870 Richard, with his brother Amos and their father commenced working the home farm on shares, and this arrangement existed until 1876. Milton JOHNSON (father) died in 1883, after which Richard purchased his brother’s interest and continued to operate the farm for himself. The farm consists of one hundred and four acres of fertile, gently sloping land, with a southern exposure, and which Mr. JOHNSON operated as a dairy and general farm. Politically Mr. JOHNSON is a strong Republican, and although living in a district that is strongly Democratic, has on several occasions been elected to local offices, thereby defeating the candidate of the Democratic party and demonstrating the esteem and respect in which he is held by the community. Mr. JOHNSON is a member of the school board and has served as judge of elections. He is a member of the Society of Friends, Richland Monthly Meeting, at Quakertown. His mother was a birthright member of this organization March 25, 1870, Richard M. JOHNSON was united in marriage to Mary P. STRAWN, daughter of Eli W. and Margaret (PENROSE) STRAWN of Richland township. She was born September 26, 1841, and died July 29, 1892. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. JOHNSON: Harry S. born February 13, 1872, married Melvina PENROSE, daughter of Stephen and Hannah (MORGAN) PENROSE, of Quakertown. Her parents are farmers living on farm on Bethlehem pike, one mile south of Quakertown; Milton, born November 11, 1876, married Martha PENROSE; Walter E., born October 26, 1879, unmarried. Maurice, born September 5, 1886, unmarried; Arthur R. born June 26, 1891, attending school

Test taken from page 347 of:

Davis, William W. H., A.M., History of Bucks County, Pennsylvania [New York-Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1905] Volume III

Transcribed March 2002 by Joan Lollis of IN. as part of the Bucks Co., Pa., Early Family Project, www.rootsweb.com/~pabucks/bucksindex.html

Published March 2002 on the Bucks County, Pa., USGenWeb pages at www.rootsweb.com/~pabucks/