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FAMILY OF ELI JOHNSON
This picture is from the Jennings County Public Library Archives - It is labeled on the back by Karl Johnson "I believe this is the family of Eli Johnson". Can anyone identify it for sure?

Clippings from local papers concerning this family.

October 5, 1905 - North Vernon Plain Dealer
A Family Reunion.
    Phillip Johnson came from Virginia, to the State of Kentucky about the year 1817. Two years later they came North and settled in the counties of Ripley and Jennings in the State of Indiana, where as yet the unbroken wilderness was disturbed only by a few white settlers and the wild animals that made the night hideous by their howls and screams. Philip Johnson, the father of this family was a revolutionary soldier. Two of the sons, Jiles [Giles] and William M. Johnson, were soldiers in the war of 1812. On last Saturday, Sept. 30, the descendants of this family to the number of sixty-five met in John H. Johnson's grove to celebrate and renew the ties of a family that is scattered throughout the United States. There were but three of the immediate descendants present: Nancy J. Neill, daughter of Berry Johnson, Wm. G. and John H. Johnson, sons of Wm, Johnson.
    After spending this day in social conversation and reminiscence of former days they partook of a beautiful dinner under which the table groaned. Before eating, the table and contents were photographed and afterward the smiling faces of this company were exposed to Mr. Otto White's camera which will show their true condition before they adjourned to meet on the last Saturday in August 1909.
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May 30, 1907 - North Vernon Plain Dealer
Obituary
John H. Johnson, son of William M. and Sarah Johnson, was born in Bigger township, Jennings county, April 19th. 1828; departed this life May 17th, 1907, aged 79 years and 28 days. He was married to Susan Tatem on January 16th. 1851. To this union were born two sons and one daughter; the wife and children survive him; he also leaves a brother who is older than himself, and a sister who is younger. Besides his immediate relatives he leaves a host of friends and acquaintances to mourn his death. He lived an exemplary life, and in 1876 came to the Lord's side at a meeting held by the Young Men's Christian Association at the Johnson School House; soon after this he united with the Baptist Church at Bethel, Ripley county, where he ever since held membership, always faithful and liberally helpful in every way. He lived a consistent Christian life, was a kind husband and loving father.
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May 14, 1908 - North Vernon Plain Dealer
A Birthday Surprise
    During last week while it was raining almost day and night, Mr. and Mrs. Eli H. Johnson, of Benville, invited a number of their friends and neighbors to call and surprise their daughter, Miss Ida, on Saturday evening the 9th inst, it being Miss Ida's 18th birthday. And after their friends and neighbors to the number of 40 or more had gathered at their pleasant home to await the arrival of Miss Ida who it was understood had gone to spend the night with her grandmother, Mrs. John H. Johnson, it being understood that she was to be brought home by a friend after the crowd had gathered which was at about 8:00 p. m Imagine if you can how we all looked and felt when at about 8:30 p. m. Miss Ida and Mr. Daniel Losey stepped into the parlor to greet and surprise the surprisers She attired in a beautiful white, and he in a brand new black suit, which made them both look their very best. But to the surprise part of it; they were preceded into the room by Rev. Malcomb, of North Vernon, who in a brief but very beautiful and impressive ceremony united them in the sacred bonds of wedlock, while the would be surprisers looked on in utter astonishment.
    After brief congratulations and acknowledgement of the surprise they were led to the tastefully decorated dining room where a table loaded with all the good things one could ask for awaited. After all had done justice in relieving the table of its good things a short time was spent in social conversation discussing the surprise and listening to good music, both vocal and instrumental. They all retired to their several homes wishing Miss Ida many more returns of her birthday and may she and her husband have a pleasant journey through life and may her birthdays all be as bright and pleasant as was this one is the wish of one who was there. A
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June 29, 1911 - North Vernon Plain Dealer
Mrs. Dan Losey, of Butlerville, spent Saturday and Sunday with her parents Eli Johnson and wife.
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September 19, 1912 - North Vernon Indiana
Eli Johnson and wife and Mrs. Susan Johnson are guests of their brothers and sisters at Kokomo, this week.
_______ May 28, 1914 - North Vernon Plain Dealer
Mrs. George Johnson, of Missouri, was the guest of her nephew, Eli Johnson , several days last week.
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August 12, 1915 - North Vernon Plain Dealer
Eli Johnston and wife were guests of the former's brother, Albert Johnson and family, at Bethel, Sunday.
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February 21, 1918 - North Vernon Plain Dealer
OBITUARY
Susan Johnson, daughter of Joseph and Mary A. Tatem, was born in Jennings County, Indiana, March 10, 1833. She departed this life January 26, 1918, aged 84 years, 9 months and 26 days, She was married to John H. Johnson, January 16, 1881 To this union was born three children, two sons and one daughter, all of whom survive her, besides she leaves five grandchildren, two brothers and two sisters and many friends and relatives to mourn her death. She united with Bethel Baptist Church in 1876, where she remained a faithful member until her death. She was a kind and loving mother a good neighbor, always ready to assist the needy.
Mother is gone, oh how we miss her,
We have laid her in the grave so deep
She has gone to meet dear Father
Why do we need to weep?
Mother's gone our darling mother
Once filled our home with love.
We'll never hear her sweet voice again,
Till we meet her in that Home above.
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April 18, 1935 - North Vernon Sun

Mrs. Eli Johnson

    Mrs. Eli Johnson,[Sarah E. Overturf] aged 79 years died at her home on Walnut Street, Thursday afternoon, after a short illness.     Mrs. Johnson was a devout member of the First Baptist church in this city and had many friends who were grieved to hear of her passing.     Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at two thirty o'clock at the Baptist church with Rev. W. H. Dillard officiating and burial in the Hillcrest cemetery.

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