Robert Lewis Johnson (4th Great Grandfather)

Robert Lewis Johnson
17 August 1819 – 13 June 1901

Life Sketch of Robert Lewis Johnson & Polly Ann Guymon

Fountain Green, Utah: November 15, 1950

This sketch of the lives of Robert Lewis Johnson and Polly Ann Guymon Johnson, was written by their Grand-daughters: Emma O Williams, and Laurelda O Despain ------------------------- Robert Lewis Johnson, Pioneer of 1850, was born to Edward and Sarah in Upper Canada London District, August 17, 1819. He was raised there on a farm and in 1836, the family joined the Mormon church. In 1838, they moved to Missouri, and passed through the persecutions of the church there and in Nauvoo. His father worked on the Nauvoo Temple, and donated considerably towards its ********. Robert L was married in Nauvoo, Illinois, on April 30, 1846, to Polly Ann Guymon, a daughter of Thomas and Sarah Gordon Guymon. She was born in Paris, Edgar County, Illinois, on July 11 of 1829. Grandmother Guymon was from a large family of eleven children. Her father, Thomas Guymon, was a schoolmaster. He was to teach school for three months, (reading and writing, five days of every week at the rate of six dollars per year, one half in current money to be paid at the end of the school year the other half in cotton, wool, or cloth, delivered at his house, or corn, or pork at the market price, and he was also to make up all time lost, keep good order, and help build a school house ahead of time). This shows that although this large family had to be fed and clothed, not much money was in circulation at this time. When the Mormons were driven out in 1846, shortly after Grandfather and Grandmother were married; they moved to Council Bluffs, and in 1850, with their children Robert Hyrum, and Charles H., came to Utah in Captain Aaron Johnson's company. There were several of Grandmother's brothers and sisters, also her father and mother, who came at the same time. Grandfather had two yoke of Oxen and two yoke of cows on his wagon. Great-Grandmother Guymon rode her horse with a side saddle across the plains and drove the cattle. We had the saddle for many years, and it is now in the Springville Museum. The family located at Springville, from 1850 to 1860. During this ten years, four sons were born to them. Three of them died and are buried in the Springville Cemetery. Also, Grandmother's parents are buried there; her Father's being one of the first graves there.

After coming to Fountain Green in 1860, they built a small log house, just north of Clint Oldroyd's corral. I have seem it many times. It was in that little house that my mother Julia was born to them in December 6, 1862. A short time later they built the large home, which is now owned by Amy Samuels. The south room was in the fort, during some of the Indian troubles. They also built a store and engaged in the mercantile business for several years. Their home was the Pioneer Hotel; the first hotel in Fountain Green, and many travelers and also many of the Authorities of the church often stayed there on their way through town. Grandfather became a stock raiser, and lost many head of cattle and horses, during the Black Hawk War, in which he took an active part. He was then bishop, having been appointed to this office in 1861 (and held the position for 23 years). He was one of Fountain Greens most beloved bishops, and during the Black Hawk War. It was his policy like that of Brigham Young, that it was better to feed the Indian that fight them. I have often heard Grandmother say that she had baked more biscuits for the Indians that any other woman known. When Lewis Lund was killed, by the Indians, he was brought to their home and prepared for burial. It was a terrible time for Indian troubles. One day, Bishop Johnson was visited by several hostile INdians. They told him there were 500 Indians camped in Water Hollow, and unless their demands for food were met, they threatened to wipe out the town and kill everyone in it. Grandfather was worried, and asked them to come back at a later date. He called the people together and explained the threat. Everyone was ready to help and by the time the Indians returned, they had gathered together six of the best beef, and 2,000 pounds of flour, and many of the people giving most of all the food they had. Another time the Indians demanded beef, Grandfather had to send one of his oldest sons with the two Indians up to the hills to get them, and as they started up the path, the two Indians motioned for Charley to go on lead. It caused them to laugh when he told one of them to go on ahead, and he would come second, and the other third. One Sunday, the children had just came from Sunday School, and the Indians were all around their home. The children were sent upstairs for safety. The Indians were on the war path. They had sent their squaws to the hills. But after they received the beef they wanted, they killed them under the trees to the west of the house, took the parts they wanted, and rode away. Grandmother ran a dairy up in Water Hollow at one time, but was forced to move to town on account of the Indians.

Grandmother Johnson was Relief Society President for 30 years. I remember her as a very lovely lady. Her home was beautifully furnished. She was a wonderful sewer. She had over 60 geese at tone time; which accounted for her soft feather beds and pillows. She was always very proud, and wore very nice clothes. She was also well educated for those times. I remember her spinning wheel and loom. She had so many things of interest. Her kitchen cupboard was made from the wagon box that they crossed the plains in. She was stock holder in the Ladies Store. She helped to raise the money to build our last Relief Society Hall. She helped with the sick and did all of the things that were required of a Relief Society President in those early times. She died October 3, 1912. Grandfather died June 13, 1901. They had nine children, Aunt Francis is the only one still living. I am proud to be a Grand-daughter of these Pioneers. ------------------------- This is a copy of the letter written by Robert Lewis Johnson to the United States Indian Agent. I found this in one of the lesson books of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. I thought maybe you would like to read it. I make copies of all the little items I find and add them to the histories for the grandchildren. D. W. Doge, U. S. Indian Agent: The Indians have not left yet and do not calculate to. They are stealing our horses and killing men whenever they get a chance, and when they please. Can you send troops and drive them off our boarder, as they are no longer friendly? As soon as you gave orders not to feed them they began to get mad, and we would very much like your assistance in protecting us and our property. Please answer immediately what you can do. R. L. Johnson Fountain Green, Utah Aug. 13, 1872