Duncan E. and Mary Jane Johnson
_______________________________________________
Duncan E.
Johnson, Jr. was born on September 7, 1848, in Appling County, GA.1He was the son of Duncan Johnson, Sr. and Lujoice Sellars.
The Johnson Family moved to Appling County around 1830.
Duncan married Mary Jane Taylor in November 11, 1869.
Mary Jane was the daughter of Lewis Tillman Taylor and Tobitha Lee.
She was born on January 8, 1850, in Ware County, GA.2 Her family eventually settled
in Appling County, where she met Duncan. While no marriage license has been found for
Duncan and Mary Jane, the 1870 Bradford County, FL Census states that they were married
in November 1869.3 It is probable that they married shortly before leaving Georgia.
Duncan and Mary Jane were living next door to her parents in 1870.
They followed Mary Jane’s parents to Florida. It is not known why they
left Georgia for Florida. Another mystery remains as to why they settled for a brief
time in Bradford County, FL. Again, why did they leave and go further south?
As with other pioneers, the lure of new farmland was possibly a drawing card.
( Duncan and Mary Jane)
These were hard times for many Americans as the economy was in a depression from 1873-1878. Many banks failed, also.
The South was still recovering from the effects of the Civil War. These were times of inventions, also.
Color photographs were invented in 1873 and the telephone became a reality in 1876. Edison invented the light bulb in 1879.
Duncan would have had the opportunity to vote for presidents like Rutherford B. Hayes in 1877 and James A. Garfield in 1881.
Duncan and Mary Jane, along with her parents, eventually settled in Polk County, FL. Duncan is found there in 1877
where he paid .78 in county taxes and $1.06 in state taxes.4 Duncan and Mary Jane have not been found in the 1880 census.
It is probable that the census taker missed them as they lived in rough Indian lands at the time. Duncan owned one cow and
seven hogs in 1882. He paid .87 in county taxes and .85 in state taxes.5 His animals were valued at $27.00. His other
personal goods were valued at $22.00.
In the early 1880's in Polk County, life was difficult for the pioneer. Most of the items a person needed for everyday
life was grown or produced on his farm. If a person had the luxury of a store, he would find bacon sold for 11 cents a
pound and lard for 15 cents a pound. Other staples included flour for 6¼ cents a pound; sugar for 12½ cents a pound;
and coffee for 20 cents a pound. Transportation was by foot, horseback, or wagon. A person could travel from Orlando
to Bartow by the mail buggy for $7. The fare from Tampa to Bartow by “private subscription” was $10. The cost was
only $2 by wagon if the passenger furnished his own rations.
The early 1880's brought considerable growth to Bartow. By 1882, 500 letters were mailed from the Bartow community,
and probably as many received. On May 3, 1882, the town of Bartow was incorporated. Lots in Bartow sold for $30 to $50,
while land three miles from town brought from $1.25 to $5 per acre. Mrs. M. L. Snoddy opened a ladies’ store in 1882.
Dr. J. P. Brookins, a dentist, opened the Bartow Drug House. T. M. Lybass opened a “Liquor Saloon.” W. H. Pearce,
near Bartow, had what was considered one of the most vigorous and symmetrical orange groves in the State.6
Although there had been a jail in Bartow at one time, it did not exist in the early 1880's. It had fallen into disuse and decay.
However, it was said that one was needed. In 1881, Hiram D. Ballard closed and sold the building and lot where the
barroom had been. The cost of a liquor license had been raised so high that business became unprofitable. Drinking
did not cease, though. Some citizens complained of “much firing of pistols at night on the streets, and other disorders.”7
It would be interesting to know how often the Johnson Family visited Bartow.
Duncan was issued a homestead land patent on August 13, 1883, in Polk County for 160.09 acres.8 On February 2, 1884,
Duncan paid $1.10 in county taxes and .73 in state taxes.9 His personal property was valued at $55.00.
Land records from Polk County dated February 11, 1884 indicate Duncan also attempted to homestead land owned
by the South Florida Railroad Company.10 He had made improvements to 12 acres of land, building a house, an outhouse,
and digging a well on the property. It appears from the land records that the grant was not conveyed to Duncan.
Duncan owned 2 horses (or mules) in 1885, which were valued at $100.00. His other personal property was valued at $155.00.
He paid $2.41 in county taxes and $1.52 in state taxes.11 Duncan and Mary Jane are found in Polk County, FL in the 1885
Census.12 Duncan paid $1.10 in county taxes and .90 in state taxes in 1886.13 He paid $1.20 in county taxes and .23 in
state taxes in 1887.14 The Johnson family is found in the 1895 Census,15 the 1900 Census,16 and the 1910 Census.17
While earlier census records indicated Duncan was a farmer, the 1910 census shows him as a stock herder. Both the 1900
and the 1910 census records indicate that Mary Jane and Duncan had 11 children, 10 of whom were still living at the time.
It is believed Louis F. died before he reached adulthood.
Duncan died on October 8, 1914, in Polk County, FL.18
He was buried in Lake Wales Cemetery, Polk County, FL.
Mary Jane is found in the 1935 Polk County census.19
She was 85 years old, living with her son, Hershell, just a few doors
away from her daughter, Lillian Mimbs. This census indicates
Mary Jane had a grade school education.
Mary Jane's granddaughter, OlaVee, remembers20 ...
"I knew my Grandmother Johnson. She was a tall woman and had white hair.
She wore long dresses and aprons. I never saw her wear short dresses.
She lived to be about 89 or 90 years old. She fell and broke her hip and it never healed.
She became an invalid. Granny Johnson didn't dip snuff, but she smoked a pipe.
My brother, G.W., and I used to get the biggest kick out of that. She'd sit on the
front porch in a rocking chair and we'd go out and sit around on the porch by her and watch her."
These were hard times for many Americans as the economy was in a depression from 1873-1878. Many banks failed, also.
The South was still recovering from the effects of the Civil War. These were times of inventions, also.
Color photographs were invented in 1873 and the telephone became a reality in 1876. Edison invented the light bulb in 1879.
Duncan would have had the opportunity to vote for presidents like Rutherford B. Hayes in 1877 and James A. Garfield in 1881.
Duncan and Mary Jane, along with her parents, eventually settled in Polk County, FL. Duncan is found there in 1877
where he paid .78 in county taxes and $1.06 in state taxes.4 Duncan and Mary Jane have not been found in the 1880 census.
It is probable that the census taker missed them as they lived in rough Indian lands at the time. Duncan owned one cow and
seven hogs in 1882. He paid .87 in county taxes and .85 in state taxes.5 His animals were valued at $27.00. His other
personal goods were valued at $22.00.
In the early 1880's in Polk County, life was difficult for the pioneer. Most of the items a person needed for everyday
life was grown or produced on his farm. If a person had the luxury of a store, he would find bacon sold for 11 cents a
pound and lard for 15 cents a pound. Other staples included flour for 6¼ cents a pound; sugar for 12½ cents a pound;
and coffee for 20 cents a pound. Transportation was by foot, horseback, or wagon. A person could travel from Orlando
to Bartow by the mail buggy for $7. The fare from Tampa to Bartow by “private subscription” was $10. The cost was
only $2 by wagon if the passenger furnished his own rations.
The early 1880's brought considerable growth to Bartow. By 1882, 500 letters were mailed from the Bartow community,
and probably as many received. On May 3, 1882, the town of Bartow was incorporated. Lots in Bartow sold for $30 to $50,
while land three miles from town brought from $1.25 to $5 per acre. Mrs. M. L. Snoddy opened a ladies’ store in 1882.
Dr. J. P. Brookins, a dentist, opened the Bartow Drug House. T. M. Lybass opened a “Liquor Saloon.” W. H. Pearce,
near Bartow, had what was considered one of the most vigorous and symmetrical orange groves in the State.6
Although there had been a jail in Bartow at one time, it did not exist in the early 1880's. It had fallen into disuse and decay.
However, it was said that one was needed. In 1881, Hiram D. Ballard closed and sold the building and lot where the
barroom had been. The cost of a liquor license had been raised so high that business became unprofitable. Drinking
did not cease, though. Some citizens complained of “much firing of pistols at night on the streets, and other disorders.”7
It would be interesting to know how often the Johnson Family visited Bartow.
Duncan was issued a homestead land patent on August 13, 1883, in Polk County for 160.09 acres.8 On February 2, 1884,
Duncan paid $1.10 in county taxes and .73 in state taxes.9 His personal property was valued at $55.00.
Land records from Polk County dated February 11, 1884 indicate Duncan also attempted to homestead land owned
by the South Florida Railroad Company.10 He had made improvements to 12 acres of land, building a house, an outhouse,
and digging a well on the property. It appears from the land records that the grant was not conveyed to Duncan.
Duncan owned 2 horses (or mules) in 1885, which were valued at $100.00. His other personal property was valued at $155.00.
He paid $2.41 in county taxes and $1.52 in state taxes.11 Duncan and Mary Jane are found in Polk County, FL in the 1885
Census.12 Duncan paid $1.10 in county taxes and .90 in state taxes in 1886.13 He paid $1.20 in county taxes and .23 in
state taxes in 1887.14 The Johnson family is found in the 1895 Census,15 the 1900 Census,16 and the 1910 Census.17
While earlier census records indicated Duncan was a farmer, the 1910 census shows him as a stock herder. Both the 1900
and the 1910 census records indicate that Mary Jane and Duncan had 11 children, 10 of whom were still living at the time.
It is believed Louis F. died before he reached adulthood.
Duncan died on October 8, 1914, in Polk County, FL.18
He was buried in Lake Wales Cemetery, Polk County, FL.
Mary Jane is found in the 1935 Polk County census.19
She was 85 years old, living with her son, Hershell, just a few doors
away from her daughter, Lillian Mimbs. This census indicates
Mary Jane had a grade school education.
Mary Jane's granddaughter, OlaVee, remembers20 ...
"I knew my Grandmother Johnson. She was a tall woman and had white hair.
She wore long dresses and aprons. I never saw her wear short dresses.
She lived to be about 89 or 90 years old. She fell and broke her hip and it never healed.
She became an invalid. Granny Johnson didn't dip snuff, but she smoked a pipe.
My brother, G.W., and I used to get the biggest kick out of that. She'd sit on the
front porch in a rocking chair and we'd go out and sit around on the porch by her and watch her."
Mary
Jane died on May 24, 1939, in Polk County, FL.21
She was buried on May 26, 1939, in Lake Wales Cemetery.
Her obituary, which ran Friday, June 2, 1939, states:
"Mrs. Mary Johnson Passed Away At Her Home Here Wednesday -
Mrs. Mary Jane Johnson, 89,
died at her home in this city Wednesday afternoon at 5 o'clock.
Funeral services were held Friday morning at 10:30 with the
Rev. A. A. Koestline of the First Methodist Church Officiating.
Interment was made at the local cemetery.
The Ridge Quartet included two musical selections
"Rock of Ages" and "Jesus Lover of My Soul."
The pallbearers,
grandchildren of the deceased, were
She was buried on May 26, 1939, in Lake Wales Cemetery.
Her obituary, which ran Friday, June 2, 1939, states:
"Mrs. Mary Johnson Passed Away At Her Home Here Wednesday -
Mrs. Mary Jane Johnson, 89,
died at her home in this city Wednesday afternoon at 5 o'clock.
Funeral services were held Friday morning at 10:30 with the
Rev. A. A. Koestline of the First Methodist Church Officiating.
Interment was made at the local cemetery.
The Ridge Quartet included two musical selections
"Rock of Ages" and "Jesus Lover of My Soul."
The pallbearers,
grandchildren of the deceased, were
Tom
Gaskin, Warren Gaskin, Willie O'Neil, Julian O'Neil,
Edward Taylor and Hosey Taylor.
Mrs. Johnson, who was born in Ware County, Georgia,
is survived by:
four daughters and one son all of this city.
The daughters are Mrs. Lou Daugerty, Mrs. George Mimbs,
Mrs. J. P. Hanson and Mrs. Minnie Whidden.
Her only son is Herschel Johnson.
Draper funeral home had charge of the arrangements."22
Edward Taylor and Hosey Taylor.
Mrs. Johnson, who was born in Ware County, Georgia,
is survived by:
four daughters and one son all of this city.
The daughters are Mrs. Lou Daugerty, Mrs. George Mimbs,
Mrs. J. P. Hanson and Mrs. Minnie Whidden.
Her only son is Herschel Johnson.
Draper funeral home had charge of the arrangements."22
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(Children of Duncan E. and Mary Jane Johnson)
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by: Dr.Joey Mimbs
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December 6, 2009
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