Hines, H. K. "An Illustrated History of the State of Oregon." Chicago: Lewis
Pub. Co. 1893.  p. 1097.
 
GEORGE W. JOHNSON

     a prominent member of commercial circles in Marion county, is one of the
pioneers of the State of Oregon.  He was born at Pittsfield, Pike county,
Illinois, July 19, 1844, a son of Hiram A. Johnson, whose history appears on
another page of this volume; he was three years of age when his parents crossed
the plains to this State in 1847, and here grew to maturity.  He received his
education in the common schools, and was a farmer on his own lands from the time
he came of age until 1875.  He then embarked in the general mercantile business
at Scio, Linn county, Oregon, and had a successful and profitable trade there
until 1882; in that year he sold out and came to Salem, and purchased the
business established by E. Myre & Co., which he has since conducted with marked
ability.  He carries a stock of furnishing goods, hats, caps, trunks and
valises, all well-selected with a special view to the demands of the public.
The patronage is drawn from a territory whose radius is twenty-five miles.  In
addition to his mercantile interests, Mr. Johnson has invested in country and
city property, and is doing a real-estate business on his own account.  He owns
a pleasant residence in the city of Salem, where he lives with his family, in
the enjoyment of many of the comforts of this civilization.  He was a soldier in
the late civil war, having enlisted in 1863, and served until its close.
     He was united in marriage, in 1866, to Miss Mary P. Jones, a native of
Missouri, a daughter of Louis Jones, who emigrated to Oregon in 1852.  Of this
union six children have been born:  Oscar M., Rosie E., Lulu B., Georgie, Clyde
and Paul; Rosie E. is the wife of Willis McElroy, State Superintendent of Public
Instruction.
     Mr. Johnson is a worthy member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging both to
the blue lodge and chapter.  He cast his first presidential vote for the
world-renowned soldier and patriot, General R. S. Grant, and has since
affiliated with the Republican party.  He is a man of quiet, thoughtful manner,
strictly honorable in business, and a liberal supporter of those enterprises
which tend to advance the interests of the city, county and State.

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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in September 2006 by Diana Smith.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.