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The founders of the Johnson family, in America, were among the early settlers of Vermont, and were of Puritan stock. Aaron Johnson, the grandfather of Merrill H., was a sergeant in the Revolutionary
War, and died while in the army. His son William was born in Connecticut and married Polly MERRILL, a daughter of Medad MERRILL, and nine children were born to them: Annis, Cynthia, Sophronia, Emiline, William, Merrill, Oliver, Luman and George. Mr. Johnson was one of those enterprising settlers who went from Connecticut to Ohio, and settled on the Western Reserve. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a blacksmith by trade, and lived to be over eighty years of age. Merrill H. Johnson was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, in 1827, and was reared on his father's farm. He learned the blacksmith's trade, and was married in his native State in 1848, to Lucina SMITH, who died leaving one child, Ira. Mr. Johnson next married Pheobe ATWATER, and their union resulted in the birth of five children: Lucina, Lucy, George, Guy and Merrill. This wife died, and he next married Celia L. BULL, a daughter of Ebeneezer and Wealthy (WHEELER) BULL, who were from New York State. Mr. Bull was a Pennsylvanian, and died in Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, have two children: Arthur and Edie. Mr. Johnson located, in 1859, on his present farm, in Lawrence County, Mo., which consists of 120 acres. He owns 360 acres in different tracts. He was a sergeant in the Missouri State Militia
during the late war, and was in Marmaduke's fight at Springfield, and also in several skirmishes. He is a stanch Republican in his political views, and his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
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