Hines, H. K. "An Illustrated History of the State of Oregon." Chicago: Lewis Pub. Co. 1893. p. 1100. HIRAM A. JOHNSON one of Oregon's respected pioneers, was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, February 18, 1819. His father, Charles Johnson, was a native of Saratoga county, New York, and was of Scotch-Irish ancestry; the mother's maiden name was Rachel Pratt, and she was born in Vermont, of Puritan stock. Hiram A. was reared on his father's farm and received his education in the common schools. He remained under the parental roof until he was twenty-one years of age. In the spring of 1840 he started out on a career that has taken him through many hard experiences, but has also brought its reward. He went to Pike county, Illinois, and July 25, 1841, was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth J. Whitney, a native of Wayne county, Illinois, her ancestry being Scotch-Irish and English. Mr. Johnson purchased and partly improved two places, but in April, 1847, he started from Pittsfield, Illinois, for Oregon. There was not a bridge or a ferry on the whole distance. There were twenty-three wagons in the train, and Mr. Johnson's family consisted of a wife and two children, to which was added another soul before the journey was completed. They were the first train to take the Barlow trail. They arrived in the valley September 10. After their arrival in Marion county, Mr. Johnson took up a donation claim of 640 acres, which had been taken up previously by a sailor, who had built a log house and then abandoned it; this structure was without windows or door, but was soon made habitable, and furnished a shelter until 1849, when it was replaced by a hewn-log house; this, in turn, was abandoned for a better one in 1855. The experiences of our subject are not dissimilar to those of many of his brother pioneers; provisions were very high and some times could not be procured at any cost. They lived on beef and potatoes the first winter. In the fall of 1848 the news of the gold discovery reached Oregon, and Mr. Johnson started for the mines September 18 with pack horsed; he dug for gold on the American river and Spanish bar, taking out from $50 to $75 per day, until the bad weather began. He then returned by sail-vessel in February, 1849, to his family with such luxuries as coffee, sugar and a few dishes. Later a store was established at Oregon City, where supplies could be procured. Mr. Johnson followed agricultural pursuits, and added to his lands until in 1862 he had accumulated 1,200 acres. At this time he purchased a general mercantile stock at Jefferson, and conducted the business five years, meantime renting his farm. At the expiration of this period he returned to his farm, and in 1872 he sold a portion of the land, gave each of his sons a farm, and removed to Salem. While a citizen of Jefferson he was elected Assessor of the county; he was Justice of the Peace several years, and soon after coming to Salem he was elected to this office, which he filled acceptably for twelve years. He has served one term as Deputy County Treasurer. In 1882 he built a residence in Salem, and is now retired from active pursuits. He has a family of six sons and a daughter: George W. and John C. are the subjects of biographical notices in this volume; the other children are: William W., Hiram A. Jr., Samuel Thurston, Rachel C., who married J. Earl, he died and she is married again to J. H. Haurts, of Salem; and Francis M., a farmer, living near Moscow, Idaho. Mr. Johnson was made a Mason in 1862, and has been a Master of his lodge and an active Mason for thirty years. He and his wife are consistent members of the Christian Church. He and his good wife celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding day July 25, 1891. In 1876 they made a trip to the East, visiting the scenes of earlier days, but the landmarks had disappeared, and there was little to remind them of their youth. They are people of much force of character, and have done their share in the development of the wilderness of the Pacific coast to one of the greatest commonwealths of this nation. ******************* 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.