Hines, H. K. "An Illustrated History of the State of Oregon." Chicago: Lewis Pub. Co. 1893. p. 793. JAMES JOHNSON A prominent Oregon pioneer of 1844, and an esteemed retired farmer of Yam Hill county, now residing in La Fayette, is a New Englander by birth, having been born in Berkshire county, Massachusetts, August 28, 1814. His parents, James and Clarissa Johnson, were both natives of the Bay State, where they were well and favorably known. They had seven children, five sons, and two daughters. The subject of our sketch was the youngest of the sons, and accompanied his parents to Onondago county, New York, in which latter place he was reared on his father’s farm, working hard nine months of the year and attending the district school a short time during the winter. Upon attaining his majority, in 1836, he removed to Tippecanoe county, Indiana, then a new and sparsely steeled country, where he steeled on 100 acres of wild land. Here he farmed and worked at his trade of carpentry, being successful and making some money. On November 6, 1839, he was married to Miss Juliet Perkins, an estimable lady and a native of Cattaraugus county, New York, where she was born March 15, 1824. She was a daughter of Mr. Eli Perkins, a native of Massachusetts. Mr. Johnson and his wife remained uninterruptedly on the farm until 1844, leading prosperous and happy lives. In 1840 their first child, Burr, was born, and four years later the little family of three crossed the plains to Oregon. The water that year was very high, and their principal danger was in crossing the swollen rivers. They crossed at Topeka, where they entered the Indian country. They had some trouble with the Indians, but the red men were afraid of the white man’s muzzle-loading gun, and two men could chase a hundred Indians with their bows and arrows. When they passed the site of the present city of Portland that proud metropolis was unknown. Giant firs tossed their branches in the breeze in wild abandon, while wild deer and antelope roamed the plains at will. No ruthless hand had disturbed the primeval forest, or civilized sound shocked the peaceful surroundings of nature. Passing this solitude, the pioneers came on to Oregon City, where a slight start had been made and which was their objective point, which they reached December 16, 1844. Here Mr. Johnson secured work of Dr. McLaughlin in building mills, races and all work suited to the ability of a stout, young carpenter. In November, 1845, Mr. Johnson located on his donation claim, situated east of the present site of La Fayette. It was a most beautiful place, and it was with emotions of pleasure that the pioneers took up their abode in the valley. The Indians had kept it burned over, and no more delightfully attractive country could meet the gaze of any pioneer. The river wound in and out in its way through the valley, looking like a silver ribbon in the distance. A few emigrants of 1843 were scattered at intervals through the country, but so far apart as to render a long travel necessary to reach them. Here Mr. Johnson built a small log house, 14 x 16 feet, with a little shed against it for a bedroom, and on a mile square of land felt almost as Alexander Selkirk or Robinson Crusoe might have felt, being monarch of all they surveyed. He sowed twelve acres of wheat, and until it grew secured flour of Dr. McLoughlin, in Oregon City, to which place the family made frequent trips up and down the river. Mr. Johnson had the honor of having built the first house in Yam Hill county, and it was on his land that the first blacksmith shop was built by a young man named William Clark. A tanned deer skin was used to make a bellows. They had any quantity of toothsome venison and other wild game, and the very finest brook trout, living altogether like lords. Here Mr. Johnson was prospered beyond his highest anticipations, and in 1862 he cut a road through the center of the property, his wife’s 320 acres being on one side and his on the other. On each side he made good improvements, planted an excellent orchard on each, and erected large and substantial residences and good barns on each. In an early day they kept boarders, and have had the honor of having had at their table several of the most prominent men of Oregon and the Northwest, among which may be mentioned the distinguished jurist, Judge Matthew P. Deady, who is widely known and eminently respected and beloved. They had at one time a race track on their land, where Mr. Johnson kept his horses and had large races, but when the bad ailment attacked him he discontinued it and removed the high board fence, with which the track was surrounded. In 1879 he retired from his farm and purchased several blocks in La Fayette, on which he built a comfortable home, where he and his faithful wife now reside in peace and plenty, in the enjoyment of the blessings of life, secured by their industry and economy. They have had nine children, eight of whom are living: Their son Burr is prosperously engaged in the livery business in Pendleton, Umatilla county; their son, Esquire, died at the age of twenty-six years; Julia Ann is the wife of John Clark; Wright is on the farm; Viola and Iola E., twins, became the wives of Robert Pierce and Richard Malone, respectively, the former now residing on the home farm; James K. and Gust E. are on the home farm; Ellen married R. A. Steward and had three children; her husband died and she is now married to Thomas Ott and resides on the farm; Clara married M. A. Gill. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have been married fifty three years and still enjoy quite good health. They have had twenty-seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. In 1889 they celebrated their golden wedding, their daughters arranging the entertainment, which was attended by the older grandchildren and many distinguished friends, numbering seventy persons in all, and a very enjoyable time was had, all wishing the worthy couple many happy returns of their wedding anniversary. Mr. Johnson’s life spans three-quarters of a century, during which time he has witnessed many marvelous changes, and one can almost envy him the happy experience. Wonderful changes have taken place throughout the whole country, but particularly has the transformation been remarkable in this Northwestern country, where peaceful solitudes and primeval forests have been replaced by bustling, busy cities, great manufactories and colossal mercantile establishments; while the keels of giant steamers and ships cleave the waters of that once peaceful river, which, in former days, was disturbed by only the dip of the Indians’ paddle and the swift and noiseless gliding of his birch-bark canoe. To these venerable pioneers, who have assisted in improving and developing the country, is due the highest regard of all sincere lovers of Oregon, and for whom all should join in wishing the greatest possible good in this life and that which is to come. ******************* 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.