John Johnson Born: 1826 Died:

Born in County Antrim Ireland, John Johnson came to America 12 years later after the death of his mother.  He was adopted in America by Mrs. Jane Smith, wife of Henry G. Smith an Ohio merchant.

On a visit to Memphis in 1845 John decided to work on the river rather than return to Ohio with his adopted parents.  After three years of boat work he successfully entered the grocery business until ill health drove him from the city and the grocery business had to be dissolved.  Upon his return to Memphis late that same year Johnson entered the clothing business believing there would be less strain to his health in that profession.  He discontinued this business after the Union occupation of Memphis in 1862.

Johnson was elected to two two-year terms as mayor of Memphis, the first in 1870 and the second in 1872.  He was a key player during the yellow fever outbreaks.  In 1878 during the worst outbreak he was serving as superintendent of nurses in the Howard Association.  The following year he served as superintendent of quarantine under the control of the National Board of Health and the Tennessee State Board of Health. In 1878 he was made secretary of the Phoenix Fire Insurance Company and was also President of the Pioneer Mill. He married Amanda Aiken in 1855.  They had six children.