Biography of Oliver Johnson

Oliver Johnson is one of the industrious agriculturists’ of Nez Perces and his home place consists of one hundred and twenty acres of good soil, nine miles east of Lewiston. He does a general farming business and is prosperous and progressive.

Oliver was born in Dallas, Polk County, Oregon, on July 10, 1863, being the son of Newton C. and Louise A. (Byerly) Johnson. The father was a farmer, born in Missouri in 1839, and died in 1901. He was a pioneer to Oregon, crossing the plains with teams in 1846 and the train had a number of battles with the Indians. The mother of our subject was born in Iowa, on January 29, 1844. Oliver remained at home until of age, receiving a good education from the common schools. In 1881 the parents removed to Walla Walla, Washington. Our subject remained there for a few years and then returned to Oregon. While the father was near Walla Walla the Snake Indians broke out and caused trouble but he did not leave his farm.

Oliver farmed in Oregon until 1894, then came to Whitman County, Washington, and tilled the soil for a year and removed to the Potlatch country, where he farmed for one year. Then he came to the vicinity of Lewiston and when the reservation opened up he took his present place, as mentioned above. Mr. Johnson has labored faithfully in the good work of developing the country and has so conducted himself that he has won the respect and esteem of all who know him.

On October 28, 1886, Mr. Johnson married Miss Abbie, daughter of Jack and Mary (Duncan) De Lashmutt. The father was a farmer and merchant, a native of Pennsylvania and died in 1883. The mother was born in Missouri and died in 1885. Mrs. Johnson was born in Yamhill County, Oregon, on July 29, 1867. She had one sister, Jennie, now deceased. She has half brothers and sisters as follows: Isabelle, Sarah, Van Buren, Butler, Lindsay, Fillmore, Elsworth, Douglas, Josephine, Kate, Jennie, Mattie, Reuben, James and Samuel. Mr. Johnson has one sister, Addie McDaniel. To Mr. and Mrs. Johnson two children have been born, Jessie M. and Erne. Mr. Johnson is a member of the M. W. A. In political matters, he is a Democrat but never aspires for office. Mr. Johnson takes a warm interest in bettering the schools and does intelligent labor in all the affairs of politics and local concern His uncle, Abraham Byerley, was in the Indian war.

Back to: Nez Perce Biographies

Source: An Illustrated History of Northern Idaho, Embracing Nez Perce, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone Counties, Western Historical Publishing Company, 1903

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