James Landon Johnson

RITES HELD FOR MT. VERNON'S LAST SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR VET

  
Funeral services were held this afternoon for Mt. Vernon's last 
survivor of the Spanish-American War.  Rites were conducted at 
Myers Chapel at 2:30 pm for James Landon Johnson, 88. who was 
First Sergant of Co. K, 9th Regiment, Illinois Volunteers before 
the turn of the century.  Mr. Johnson, who served Mt. Vernon as 
its chief of police after the war, died at 1:45 am Saturday at 
his home, 317 Main Street.

Mr. Johnson was a member of a hardy young band of volunteers who 
marched off to war in 1898.  The regiment, composed of volunteers 
from this congressional district, became one of the best in the 
Army and wrote a vivid chapter of service to their country. Because 
of their skill on the rifle range they became known as Colonel 
Campbell's "Squirrel Shooters"....The ranks of the Spanish-American 
War vets have thinned rapidly in recent years.  In 1958 the only 
remaining from that company were Dr. Andy Hall, Bert Westcott, 
James L. Johnson, Edgar Cady, Harry Ward and Herbert Settle...

He was police chief from 1917-18, worked as a telegrapher for two 
railroads, and was at one time employed as shipping clerk at the 
car shops.

He is survived by his wife [2nd] Stella; one daughter Mrs. Bert 
Schmitt [Helen Johnson] of Mt. Vernon; three sons, C. Lester Johnson 
of Petosky, Michigan; James L. Johnson Jr. of Brighton, Colorado; and 
O. Knox Johnson of Johnstown, Pennsylvania; two stepsons, Herman Westcott 
of Tacoma, Washington and Emery Westcott of Chicago; a brother Stephen 
Johnson of Gering, Nebraska; seven grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.


Date: 12 Mar 1962   
Source: Mt Vernon Register News
Submitted by: John Carlson 
Relationship: Great Grandson