Adam Clarke Johnson

Rev. Adam Clarke JOHNSON died of apoplexy at this home in Quitman, Arkansas, 
last Saturday morning.  The relatives here have received no particulars of 
his death, and it is surmised that the funeral occurred, or will occur at Quitman.

Mr. JOHNSON was born in Caldwell County, near Princeton, Ky., in January, 1832, 
and was the youngest but one of seven children.  In November, 1834, his parents, 
Rev. John and Susannah JOHNSON, emigrated to Jefferson County, Illinois, and 
settled in Mt. Vernon.  His father was a Methodist preacher and had preached 
through a number of southern states, notable Kentucky, Tennessee and Mississippi.  
Clarke, as he was generally called, was about two and a half years old when his 
parents came to this county.  They settled on a farm and the father also preached 
and begun the work of advancing the cause of religion and Methodism in this section.

At the age of 16 Clarke returned to Kentucky and begun the study of medicine in 
the office of his brother, Dr. Thomas JOHNSON.  His memory, for which he was ever 
in after years famous, was noted at this time and showed itself in the remarkable 
manner in which he could recite almost verbatim page after page of the medical 
works he had read.  He overtaxed his mental and physical strength, however, and 
had to abandon his studies , and it is not known whether he ever was admitted to 
the practice of medicine, though he was usually addressed as doctor.  He taught 
school in Kentucky, and about 1860 or '62 was married to Miss Margaret SWEENEY in 
Crittenden County, Ky.  Later he returned to Mt. Vernon, where he taught school at 
times, and for several years was employed in the circuit clerk's office by Uncle 
Johnnie BOGAN, then clerk.

Mr. JOHNSON was a Methodist preacher, but at one time occupied the pulpit of the 
Presbyterian Church for a few months, preaching to the Presbyterian congregation.  
Almost eleven years ago he and his family moved to Oxford, Miss., where he resided 
a few years when he emigrated to Quitman, Ark., where he remained until the time of 
his death.  His wife died at the latter place about two years ago.

Mr. JOHNSON was perhaps better acquainted with Jefferson County history and knew 
by name more people than an man who ever lived in the county, and was for several 
years before his departure for the South, Secretary of the Pioneer Association.  
At one time he wrote a history of Jefferson County, and also edited the 
"Recollections of Rev. John Johnson," his father, which dealt largely with the early 
history of this county.  As a writer of a terse and pithy style Clarke JOHNSON had 
no superior, and his education, which he had attained by his own efforts unaided by 
college advantages, was extended and thorough and covered a wide range, embracing a 
knowledge of Latin, Greek and other languages.  He showed conclusively what a young 
man of determination, steady habits, and good morals, without money or influence, can 
accomplish when he is desirous of receiving an education.  While in Arkansas he engaged 
in the real estate business and seemed to prosper, and during the past year he was one 
of the instructors in Quitman College.

Clarke JOHNSON was a good man, a good citizen and a useful man, and his death is 
deeply regretted by all who knew him.  He was a man whose example is well worthy of 
emulation in many respects.


Source: The Daily Register - Mt. Vernon, IL
Date: Tuesday, October 24, 1899 
Submitted by: Mary Zinzilieta