Lawrence County, Arkansas
Preston Johnson, a retired merchant of Fayetteville, Ark., was born in
Lawrence County, Ark., April 26, 1824, and is a son ot' William and. Elizabeth
Ann (Conway) Johnson, who were born in Tennessee and North Carolina, respectively.
The former was born and reared near ~ash ville, and was a son of
John Johnson, who was a farmer by occupation, a native of Ireland. and of
Scotch-Irish birth. In 1824 William Johnson removed with his wife and five
children to Lawrenc-.e County, Ark. (now called Sharp County), and two years
later came to Washington County, where he and his wife spent the remainder of
their days. Preston Johnson engaged in farming and stock raising in his early
manhood, which occupation he pursued until 1870, when he came to Fayetteville
and engaged in general merchandising. He abandoned this business in
1879, and retired from active business life, and is now enjoyin!{ the fruits of a
well-spent life. He is a Democrat in politics, and h;is always been noted for his
liberality, and by his many excellent traits of character has secured the confidence
and respect of all. In 1879 he lost his wife, whose maiden name was Miss
B. C. Reddick, a daughter of Shadrock .Reddick. She left one son and four
daughters to mourn her loss: Mary Jane (wife of J. S. Thurman), Sarah C. (wife
of Z. A. Thomas), Eliza Catherine (the deceased wife of J. L. Keener), Elizabeth
Donaldson, a widow, and William(a stock dealer, of Kansas City).
1850 Census of Northwest Arkansas:
Washington Counties - Bobbie Jones McLane and Desmond Walls Allen
Prairie Township
JOHNSON, James 20, Elizabeth 21, Preston 23
AR/AR dwg 194, Prairie twp