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SAMUEL JOHNSON, farmer, in Rochester, was born September 18, 1831, in Sangamon county, Illinois, the son of Andrew Johnson, who was born in Dumfreeshire, Scotland, and came to America when he was a young man, and to Sangamon county as early as 1826 or '27. He was a millwright, and built a mill on the South Fork of the Sangamon river for Edward Clark. Andrew Johnson was married about 1827 to Mrs. Mary Barker, whose maiden name was Williams. He died in Sangamon county, Illinois. His mother afterwards married Greenbury Baker, and died May 12, 1842, and he died March 4, 1873.
The subject of this sketch received a common school education, and was raised principally on a farm. He was first married in 1852, to Lovina J. Baker; who was born in Sangamon county, Illinois, and died March 24, 1856, aged twenty-three years, six months and one day; the daughter of Esquire and Margaret Baker. By this marriage he had two children, Jennette F., now Mrs. Joseph Sharp, and one who died in infancy June 20, 1853. His wife died March 24, 1856, and he married again to Louisa Taff, who was born in Sangamon county, the daughter of William and Teresa Taff, both residents of Sangamon county. They have had nine children, eight of whom are now at home with their parents, Mary E., Teresa A., James E., Ida F., Flora A., Martha C., Arthur, and Ira; Dora, deceased. Mr. Johnson began life in moderate circumstances, and has by industry and close attention to farming, obtained two hundred and eighty acres of land, which is situated in Cooper, Rochester and Cotton Hill
townships, under a fair state of cultivation, and worth $50 per acre. He is also one of the strong supporters of the Republican party, and its interests. Mrs. Johnson and three daughters are members of the Christian Church.