Hines, H. K. "An Illustrated History of the State of Oregon." Chicago: Lewis
Pub. Co. 1893.  p. 255.

HON. F. M. JOHNSON 

     A widely and favorably known public man and an esteemed citizen of
Corvallis, Oregon, was born in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, May 24, 1841.  His
parents were Charles P. and Margaret (Cole) Johnson, natives of Massachusetts
and Connecticut, respectively.  The father, Captain Roswell Johnson, was a
native of Wales, and was a prominent seafaring man.

     The subject of this sketch is the eldest of four children, of whom he is
the sole survivor, the others having died when young.  The first ten years of
his life were passed in his native county, when he removed to Potter county,
where he attended school, completing his education at the Ulysses Academy of
that county.

     His life thus passed quietly and happily, finding him busied with congenial
pursuits, when he was startled by the civil conflict, which shook our country
from center to circumference.  In 1864 he enlisted as a private in Company II of
the Third Michigan Cavalry, shortly afterward being promoted to the rank of a
non-commissioned officer, and, on account of disability, was discharged during
the same year.

     After his retirement from the army he engaged in teaching Madison, Ohio,
where he remained for a year.  He then returned to Potter county, where he
followed merchandising for a time; later, becoming principal of Ulysses Academy
of that county, in which capacity he acted for two years.  He then studied law
under the able preceptorship of the Hon. Isaac Benson, an eminent lawyer and
noted politician.  In 1870 he was admitted to the bar, and commenced the
practice of profession.  The next year he removed to Tekamah, Burt county,
Nebraska, where he practiced law for eight years.  During this time he was
elected to the State Legislature, in which he served one term.  He acted for a
couple of years as Chairman of Republican State Central Committee, and in all
these capacities displayed superior ability and the highest integrity of
character.

     Mr. Johnson was first married in Potter county, Pennsylvania, on August 13,
1865, to Miss Celia A. Burtis, a native of the Keystone State, and a daughter of
the Hon. Judge Woolsey Burtis.  They had two children:  Burtis W.; and Rose M.,
now the wife of Milton Nelmes, of San Francisco, California.  The happy
marriage, however, was destined to be of short duration, and the faithful wife
and devoted mother died December 4, 1871, leaving her family and many friends to
mourn her untimely taking away.  She a lady of superior attainments and
refinement, and possessed many charms of person and character, and was greatly
endeared to all who knew her.

     While residing in Nebraska Mr. Johnson was married, on November 13, 1873,
to Miss Fannie A. Ray, an estimable lady, and a native of Illinois.  By this
marriage there are three children:  Marian R., Lucy M., and Fannie M.

     Politically, Mr. Johnson is a staunch Republican, although not active in
politics, his time and attention being absorbed by his numerous private affairs.
He, naturally, takes a deep interest in educational matters, and is an efficient
member of the Board of Trustees of the city schools.

     He is socially a prominent and esteemed member of the G. A. R., Ellsworth
Post, No. 19.

     Of superior intelligence, rare executive ability and unerring judgment,
combined with exalted probity of character and a genial, cordial disposition, he
is eminently fitted to occupy a prominent position in the world.  With such
knight errants of brain and brawn to champion her fair cause, what wonder that
the beautiful State of Oregon has in so short a time reached the foremost rank
among the glorious Sisterhood.

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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in October 2005 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.