JOHN D. JOHNSON was born near Jacksonville, Morgan county, March 28, 1843, his parents being Benjamin and Mary (Boyd) Johnson, the former a native of Virginia, the latter of Kentucky. They removed from Kentucky to Morgan county, Ill., in 1829, Benjamin being the first Baptist preacher in that county. He entered 320 acres of land there, made improvements on it and resided there until his death, March 18, 1861. he died standing on his feet, saying that he desired to die in that way, like a man. Mrs. Johnson survived him several years, she dying July 4, 1873. There were seven sons, five of whom were ministers, all of the same denomination. Those living are - Henry L., Andrew Jackson, Jonas M. and John D. Those deceased are Commodore P., Marcus and Benjamin F. John D. was reared on a farm, remaining at home until he was 19 years of age, and attended school. He then began to teach school at $1 per day, and most of the time since that, up to about two years ago, he has engaged in teaching during the winter. He was united in marriage April 14, 1863, with Sarah J. Ford, daughter of William F. and Lucinda (Drummond) Ford. By this marriage seven children were born, six of whom are living - Leonora; Laura L., wife of T. L. Patterson, Jr., residing near Athensville; Lulu L.; Henry B., named after Gen. Buell; John W.R., and Benjamin P. The one deceased is Frank. Nov. 29, 1861, Mr. Johnson enlisted in Co. A, 61st Ill. Inf., and served nine months, being then discharged on account of disability. He was in the battles of Corinth and Shiloh, and in a few small skirmishes. In the spring of 1867, he with his family removed to southeastern Kansas, Crawford county, where he lived about three and a half years, and then came to Greene county, Ill. In 1874, he was ordained as a Baptist minister, at Pleasant Dale Baptist church, five miles west of White Hall, and has been pastor of four churches since. Mr. Johnson owns a house and an acre of land in Athensville, and is comfortably fixed, having all the necessary improvements on his place.