Joseph E. Johnson (Mormon) facts for kids
Joseph Ellis Johnson (born April 28, 1817 – died December 17, 1882) was an American newspaper owner, a leader in politics, and a successful businessman. He was also an important member of the Latter Day Saint church.
Early Life and Becoming a Latter Day Saint
Joseph Ellis Johnson was born in Pomfret, New York, in 1817. When he was about 15 years old, in 1832, he moved to Kirtland, Ohio. The next year, in 1833, he joined the Latter Day Saint church.
In 1840, Johnson worked as a school teacher in Springfield, Illinois. Later that year, he moved to Nauvoo, Illinois, which was a main gathering place for members of the Latter Day Saint church. On October 6, 1840, he married Harriet Snider. Their marriage ceremony was performed by Joseph Smith, who was the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement.
Johnson was with Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum Smith on their way to Carthage Jail. This was just before a sad event where the Smith brothers died. Johnson also faced challenges when a group of people entered Nauvoo.
Life in Iowa and Nebraska
After many Latter Day Saints left Nauvoo, Joseph Johnson moved to Kanesville, Iowa, in 1848. There, he built the very first house in Pottawattamie County, Iowa. He worked as the postmaster for Council Bluffs for five years. During this time, he helped change the town's name from Kanesville to Council Bluffs. He also served on the city council for several years.
In 1852, Johnson started a newspaper called the Council Bluffs Bugle. This newspaper strongly supported the idea of making Omaha the capital of the Nebraska Territory.
Johnson was a true pioneer. He opened the first store in Omaha. He also sent the first train of goods to the Cherry Creek mines in Denver, Colorado. In 1854, he started the Omaha Arrow, which was the very first newspaper published in Nebraska. That same year, he joined the first group exploring routes for a railroad crossing over the Missouri River and the Loupe Fork of the Platte River. Johnson wrote the first article that suggested using the North Platte route for the Pacific Railroad.
Johnson traveled across the plains to Utah Territory and back in 1850. In 1857, he began another newspaper, the Crescent City Oracle, and helped plan the town of Crescent, Iowa. In 1858, he published the Council Bluffs Press. From 1858 to 1861, he published The Huntsman's Echo in Wood River, Nebraska.
Moving to Utah and Arizona
In 1861, Joseph Johnson moved to Utah Territory. He traveled with a group of Mormon pioneers led by Sixtus E. Johnson, which included about 200 people. In 1863, he started the Farmer's Oracle newspaper in Spring Lake Villa, Utah County.
From 1864 to 1865, he moved to St. George, Utah. There, he started a garden and nursery to supply plants. In 1868–69, he published Our Dixie Times, which later became the Rio Virgen Times. In 1870, Johnson began publishing the Utah Pomologist and Gardener as a monthly magazine.
In 1876, he went to Silver Reef and built a store and a printing office. However, he sold part of the office before the newspaper there was fully started. In 1879, his store and other buildings were destroyed by fire. He quickly rebuilt his store, making it even larger than before.
In 1882, Johnson moved again, following a call from his church. This time, he went to help settle what would become Tempe, Arizona. He passed away in Tempe and was buried at the City of Mesa Cemetery.
