Johnson, Joseph Ellis

28 Apr. 1817–17 Dec. 1882. Teacher, postmaster, newspaper editor, druggist, farmer, horticulturist, merchant. Born in Pomfret, Chautauque Co., New York. Son of Ezekiel Johnson and Julia Hills. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ca. 1833. Labored on temple, 1833, in Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio. Taught school in Springfield, Sangamon Co., Illinois, 1839. Married Harriet Snider, 25 Aug. 1840, at Hancock Co., Illinois. Served as postmaster, 1840, in Ramus (later Macedonia), Hancock Co. Taught school, 1843, in Macedonia (later Webster). Served as church recorder and secretary to patriarch John Smith. Ordained an elder, by 1846. Moved to Kanesville (later Council Bluffs), Pottawattamie Co., Iowa, 1848. Member of Iowa legislature, 1852. Moved to Utah Territory, 1861. Member of Utah territorial legislature, 1862. Left to serve colonizing mission to southern Arizona Territory, 1882. Died in Tempe, Maricopa Co., Arizona Territory.