Richard M. Johnson
Among the varied and numerous occupations by means of which men seek fame and fortune, there is certainly none more free from worry and vexation of spirit than agriculture. In the country, surrounded on every side by waving fields of grain and all the beauties of nature, man's soul is possessed in calmness and he does not wear himself out as do the busy people who reside in the city The subject of this sketch is numbered among those who enjoy the freedom and peace of farm life and makes his home in Fairfield Township, Madison County, where he is ranked among the wealthy farmers.
The parents of our subject, Thomas B. and Aletha (Reed) Johnson, were natives of Montgomery County, Md. In 1835, they emigrated to Ohio and located in what is now Oak Run Township, this county, soon after which they removed to Range Township. After a residence there of a short time, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson returned to Oak Run Township, where the former died in 1842; the mother departed this life September 9, 1863, in Fairfield Township.
The parental family included nine children, of whom our subject was the fifth child and fourth son. He was also born in Montgomery County, Md., his natal day being July 4, 1824. He was a lad of eleven years at the time of his parents' removal to this county and here grew to man's estate, remaining under the parental roof in Oak Run Township until 1857, when he took up his abode on the place where he is at present residing.
Mr. Johnson of this sketch was married in Summerford Township, this county, November 1, 1860, the lady of his choice being Miss Sarah Jane, daughter of Nathaniel and Mary (Patrick) Griffin, natives respectively of Ohio and Virginia. The parents of Mrs. Johnson were married in this State, after which they located on the line between Champaign and Madison Counties, where the mother died, August 31, 1864. The father, who survived her many years, departed this life in Macon County, III., August 10, 1880. Mrs. Johnson, who was born in Van Wert County, this State, January 12, 1834, was the fifth in order of birth of the parental family of nine children.
Of the two children born to our subject and his wife, one died in infancy and two passed away when two years old. Farming has been the life work of our subject and he is thoroughly informed regarding the peculiar qualities of soils, the best methods of fertilizing, and the rotation of crops which will produce the most desirable results. Having prospered, he is surrounded with all the comforts of life, and upon his estate will be found a complete line of buildings and the various improvements which might be expected of a man of progressive ideas. He is the proprietor of about twelve hundred acres of land and is one of the most prominent farmers and stock-raisers in Madison County.
Mr. Johnson takes an active interest in local affairs and belongs to the Republican party, taking sufficient part in politics to keep well informed regarding the issues of the day. He has been Township Trustee, in which position he gave entire salisfaction to his fellow-citizens. With his wife, he is a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, giving liberally and cheerfully of his means for its support.
From PORTRAIT & BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF FAYETTE, PICKAWAY AND MADISON COUNTIES, OHIO - Chapman Bros. [Chicago, 1892]