Duane Johnson, merchant, Robinson, a son of Hiram and Sarah A. (Melton) Johnson, was born October 3, 1838, in Crawford County, Ill. In 1861, he engaged in farming in Montgomery Township, where he owned a farm of 239 acres. He moved to Robinson, and in 1882 engaged in the hardware business-a member of the firm of Willis & Johnson. He was married in Robinson, Ill., March 5, 1861, to Margaret E. Henderson. They have a family of six children living, viz.: Charles A., Willard, Alvin, Lucy J., Carrie E. and Everett. His wife died March 9, 1881. Mr. Johnson is a Democrat. Hiram Johnson, subject's father, was born in Kentucky December 15, 1807, emigrated to Illinois with his father in April, 1818, and served in the Black Hawk war in 1832. December 15, 1837, he married Sarah A. Melton, who was born in 1815, and is still living in Robinson; her father was born in Warren County in 1792. Hiram Johnson was elected Justice of the Peace in 1843, elected Sheriff in 1852, Circuit Clerk in 1856, and re-elected Clerk in 1860. He died January 19, 1865. He was a son of James and Nancy A. (McCarty) Johnson; he was born in Henry County, Ky., in 1774, died in 1841; she born in Jefferson County, Ky., March 27, 1783, died in April, 1871.
On September 16, 1883 Duane married Mary Frances (Nutall) Ford, widow of George Washington Ford, Jr. and daughter of Elijah Anderson Nuttall and Rebecca Nuttall.