Posted on: Randolph County, Indiana Obituaries
Reply Here:
http://genconnect.rootsweb.com/gc/USA/In/RandolphObits/10102
Surname: JOHNSON, THORNBURG, BENNETT, ROGERS, VANDERGRIFF, MERANDA, GUTHRIE,
OSBORN, PAINTER, HARRIS, ARRICK
-------------------------
Farmland Express, September 21, 1904 - Rev. I. V. D. R. Johnson died at
his home in Farmland, Indiana September 21, 1904 after a brief illness.
He was born in Washington Twp., Randolph Co., Indiana December 3, 1843.
His father, John Johnson came to this county from North Carolina in 1819
at the age of 7 years and married Miss Phoebe Thornburg, a daughter of
Joseph and Rachael Thornburg, also a native of North Carolina. From the
farm where he spent his early life I.V.D.R. Johnson enlisted in the 67th
Indiana Volunteer Infantry under Col. Tom Bennett and served until honorably
discharged at Mobile, Alabama , July 1865. He was wounded at Baker's Creek
Mills, Mississippi and also fought at Richmond, Kentucy, Chicksaw Bluff,
Arkansas Post, Champion Hills, Jackson, Mississippi and many minor engagements.
After the war he resumed his work on the farm and married Martha A., daughter
of Ezra and Minerva (Rogers) Vandergriff, of New Jersey, on October 28,
1865. To this union were born eleven children; an infant deceased, Phebe
A., deceased, Willam G. who now lives at Dayton, Ohio, Sarah E., wife of
Wm. H. Meranda, Amanda M, deceased, Effie, wife of Harvey Guthrie of Winchester,
Elmer and Edna, deceased, Ora S. and John A., farmers in Washington Twp.
and Martha, deceased. Mrs. Martha Johnson died Aug 23, 1884, a devoted
member of the Christian church and September 12, 1885 Mr. Johnson married
Abigail Osborn, who died in January 1900. In December 1901 Mr. Johnson
was married to Margaret Painter who survives him. Mr. Johnson became a
minister of the Christian church in 1871 and has had regular work since
that time, and he has preached more than 1,000 funeral services. As a soldier
he was brave and fearless, as a christian he was always found at his place
of duty. Hospitable to a friend and stranger, a kind husband and father
and ever willing to aid in any laudable undertaking that has for its aim
the elevation and improvement of society, he has won the respect and esteem
of the entire community. He was elected treasurer of Randolph County in
1888 and served two years. He was a member of Masonic lodge No. 223 at
Farmland , a member of the Odd Fellows and a member of the G.A.R. at the
same place. Funeral services will be conducted at the Christian church
here today (Friday) at 2 p. m. by Rev. A. O. Harris and Rev. R. P. Arrick.
(The September 28th issue of the Farmland Enterprise has a small picture
of I.V.D.R. It further stated that besides his companion he leaves 3 sons,
1 daughter, 16 grandchildren, a step mother and 2 brothers, Elihu, living
in Washington Twp. and George W. living in Eaton, Indiana who has worked
side by side with the deceased in the gospel ministry for 24 years. He
also leaves 3 half brothers and 3 half sisters.)
(Note - Of the four given names for I.V.D.R. I have only been able to discover
the first which was Isaac. Elihu T. Johnson, his brother named a son Isaac
Van Doren Johnson. My best guess is that I.V.D.R. was named Isaac Van Doren
R. Johnson (the jury is still out on the "R".) Throughout his life he used
only the four initials. There is some problem with this obituary over the
birthplace of his father and mother. Both the 1860 and 1870 Census give
the birth of both as being in Ohio.)