Bartholomew-Decatur County IN Archives Biographies.....Johnson, Oraydus P. 1852 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com January 24, 2007, 1:02 pm

Author: B. F. Bowen (1904)

ORAYDUS P. JOHNSON.

   Oraydus P. Johnson is well known as a breeder and dealer in sheep. He was
born in Decatur county, Indiana, on the 3d of February, 1852, and now resides in
Rock Creek township, Bartholomew county, where he owns a farm of eighty acres.
He is a son of Thomas O. and Martha A. (Bird) Johnson, who were also natives of
Decatur county. He comes, however, of an old southern family, his paternal
ancestors having lived in Virginia, coming to Indiana early in the last century.
Thomas O., the father, was a farmer, devoting his energies to the raising of
stock as well as of grain. He continued to reside in Decatur county until 1865
when he disposed of his interests there and came to Bartholomew county, settling
in Rock Creek township. Here he purchased four hundred and eighty acres of land,
about half of which was covered with timber. To the cleared tract he devoted his
energies, cultivating good crops, and he also gave some time to the improvement
of the rest of his farm. As the years passed his land was cleared and placed
under cultivation and he became one of the most prosperous and extensive farmers
of his community, being at one time the largest tax payer in his township. He
did not engage in speculation or trust to any fortunate combination of
circumstances in order to gain wealth, but placed his dependence upon industry
and the careful control of his affairs. There are many elements in his life that
are worthy of emulation. Not only was he prosperous, but was also imbued with
the spirit of helpfulness toward his fellow men. He lived in harmony with his
profession as a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, taking an active part
in the work of the church, contributing freely to its support. He labored for
its welfare along many lines and for twenty-five years was the superintendent of
the Sunday school. He also served as trustee of his township, while in Decatur
county, and was identified with the Republican party, having firm faith in its
principles, for he believed that its platform contained the best elements of
good government. He was twice married, the first union being with Martha A.
Bird. Their children were five in number: Mary S., who is the wife of Archie G.
Buchanan, a farmer of this county; Maria J., the wife of John F. Stewart, a
farmer in Rock Creek township; Oraydus P., who is the immediate subject of this
review; Orlando F., who married Ada Harshburg and is a farmer and agent for the
Armour fertilizer; and Ada N., who is living in Sand Creek township. After the
death of his first wife Mr. Johnson wedded Anna Keller and they had two
children: Alice, the wife of Dr. Wilson, of Ewing, Jackson county; and Thomas
O., of Bloomington, Indiana.

   Mr. Johnson of this review spent the first thirteen years of his life in the
county of his nativity and then accompanied his father on his removal to
Bartholomew county, where he has since lived. Having arrived at years of
maturity he was united in marriage in 1875, the lady of his choice being Miss
Josephine M. Rees, of North Vernon. Her parents were natives of Germany and
settled in Jennings county, Indiana, where Josephine wras born and reared. Unto
Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have been born two children: Lina, a stenographer in
Indianapolis; and Josephine M., a teacher at Brewersville, Indiana. Mr. Johnson
is the owner of a good farm of eighty acres, one mile east of Grammar. Here he
carries on general farming, his fields being well tilled, while in his barns and
pastures are found good grades of stock. He makes a specialty of the breeding of
Oxforddown sheep, having imported several fine animals from Canada and keeping a
nice flock of registered animals. He also raises shorthorn cattle and hogs and
his attention is largely given to stock farming, in which he is meeting with
success. Many improvements has he placed on his land, including a large amount
of tiling. He has good buildings and modern machinery together with other
accessories and equipments found upon model farms. He votes with the Republican
party, but has had neither time nor inclination to seek public office,
preferring to give his energies to his business affairs.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from

BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY
INDIANA

INCLUDING BIOGRAPHIES OF THE GOVERNORS AND OTHER REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS OF INDIANA

ILLUSTRATED

1904

B. F. Bowen PUBLISHER


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