Hines, H. K. "An Illustrated History of the State of Oregon." Chicago: Lewis
Pub. Co. 1893.  p. 462.
 
JASPER J. JOHNSON

     a member of the Portland bar, and a native son of Oregon, was born near
Portland on July 6, 1862.  His father, the Hon. Jacob Johnson, came to Oregon in
1846, and is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, born December 20, 1828.  They are of
Swedish ancestry, who settled in New England early in the history of the
country.  Since then both English and German ancestry has been added to the
family.  William Johnson, subject's grandfather, was born in Maryland and came
to Oregon with his son in 1846.  He was a participant in the early Indian wars
of the State of Oregon, and was a brave and self-possessed soldier during a
conflict.
     His son settled on land six miles southeast of Portland, on a beautiful
creek which has since been called Johnson creek.  He built a saw-mill, then the
first in the country, and did all the work.  Later he read law in the city of
Portland, and was for some time in the practice of law.  In 1874, he was elected
on the independent Democratic ticket to the State Legislature, which place he
filled with credit, and he has been repeatedly nominated by his party for the
same place, he being one of their strongest and most popular men.  He owned a
donation claim, where he built his mill, which he afterward sold.  He then
purchased 320 acres of his father, which he improved, and on which he has since
resided.  On January 1, 1959, he married Miss Martha Jane Lee, a relation of
General Robert E. Lee, as well as of George Washington.  Her father crossed the
plains in 1852, bringing his daughter with him.
     Our subject was next to the oldest of nine children, and was raised on his
father's farm until his nineteenth year, since which time, by his energy and
application, he has gained a good education and acquired considerable property.
He was educated at the State Agricultural College at Corvallis.  He read law
with Johnson & Idleman, and was admitted to the bar in June, 1890.  Previous to
studying law he was principal of some of the best schools of Multnomah,
Washington and Yam Hill counties, and taught three years in the school, in which
he was educated.  He was very popular among all pupils and teachers with whom he
was associated, and was noted for his success in all schools to the
principalship of which he was chosen.  Since taking up law he has been very
successful, and is noted among his profession as a lawyer of energy and
integrity.
     He was married October 16, 1886, to Miss Minnie E. Tyler, of Forest Grove,
Oregon, formerly of Michigan.  She is the daughter of Captain A. Tyler, a noted
officer of the Union army during the civil war.  They have two children:  Hattie
May and Alice Martha.
     Mr. Johnson is conservative in his political opinion, and is careful and
considerate in making up his mind what course to pursue in all matters under his
charge; but when once decided he adheres strictly to his own judgment and
carries out his intentions with such steadfastness of purpose that he seldom
fails to attain the end he seeks.  He is a gentleman of fine ability, and is
deserving of great success.
     
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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.