Born in Randolph county, North Carolina, February 3, 1815, and lived there until fifteen years of age, and then, with his parents, removed to Hendricks county, Indiana. He received the benefits of the common schools, and being a diligent student, he has supplemented his education by extensive reading and close observation. He was raised a farmer, and he has demonstrated that he is thoroughly practical in all its details. He came to this county in 1846, in time to vote on adoption of the State Constitution. He settled on a farm in 1849, and has made all the improvements. He owns 294 acres in his home farm, and eighty acres in Jefferson county, and has given attention to good graded stock. He has been honored by the citizens of the county with various offices of trust and honor. He has held various township offices and served three terms as a member of the board of supervisors. He served the unexpired term of E. S. Sampson in the State Senate in 1868, when the latter was elected District Judge. Mr. Johnson is a member of Kossuth Lodge, I. O. O. F. He married Prudence Sanders, August 8, 1839.