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biography from Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
PROF. H. H. JOHNSON, President of Oskaloosa College, is a native of Washington, Ill., where he was born March 2, 1835, and is a son of John and Martha (McCorkle) Johnson, the first a native of Ohio, and the latter of Kentucky, and were married Dec. 29, 1831. John Johnson had a family of seven children: B. W., now editor of the St. Louis Christian Evangelist; Eliza J., deceased; J. B., at present pastor of the Chiristian Church at Lincoln, Neb.; Mary E., wife of James Holland, of Washington, Ill.; Belle now deceased, was the wife of J. W. Allen, Pastor of Western Avenue Christian Church, Chicago; George is still living with his parents at Washington, Ill.; R. H., our subject. Prof. Johnson was reared on a farm until he arrived at the age of eighteen years, when he attended college at Eureka, Ill., under the teaching of Prof. Loos, and upon the transfer of the Professor to Bethany College, Mr. Johnson went with him, remaining until July 4, 1859, when he graduated. He then returned to Washington and entered Eureka College as one of its professors, where he remained three years, and during which time, Aug. 11, 1862, was united in marriage with Miss Susan S. Smith, a native of Bridgewater, Vt. In 1864 they removed to Williamsville, N. Y., where Mr. Johnson officiated as Principal of Williamsville Classical Institute for three years, removing from there to Lockhaven, Pa., and assuming pastoral charge of tbe Christian Church of that place for three years. From there he removed to Tallula, Ill., and was pastor of the churches at that place and Matamora until the spring of 1878, at which time he removed to Oskaloosa. becoming the pastor of the Christian Church at this place in January, 1880. In the fall of 1881 he accepted a professorship in Oskaloosa College, and was advanced, in 1883, to the Presidency of this institution, which he still retains. President Johnson and wife are the parents of two sons~and two daughters: W. H., pastor of the church at Tallula, Ill., was born in Vermont, July 14, 1864, and is a graduate of Oskaloosa College, Class of 1885. He was first pastor at Milton, Iowa, and is now in charge of the same church of which his father was pastor when he was a boy; G. H., now at home, was born in Lockhaven, Pa., June 18, 1867, and is in the Senior Class of 1886-87 at Oskaloosa College; Belle, born at Tallula, III., June 20, 1870, is attending school at home; Carol, born Dec. 29, 1878, is at home. President Johnson owns two farms comprising 330 acres on sections 2, 14 and 15, Garfield Township, all of which is improved and in a good state of cultivation. In addition to his college duties he is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. President Johnson is a man of more than ordinary attainments, and ranks well among the successful educators of the State. The college is prospering under his management, and the standing of its graduates is the best evidence of the thoroughness of the teaching of that institution.
Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy