This information was found in the vertical files of the Genealogy Department of the Longview Public Library.

THE AVINGER CITIZEN
Special Historical Edition
Jun 18, 1954

Isaac H. Johnson, born May 25, 1810, is the earliest member of this family to settle in this vicinity. He and his wife, Nancy J. lived southwest of town on a large estate along the creek that still bears the family name. A large original land survey a few miles further south still bears the name Isaac H. Johnson survey.

This pioneer couple now rest in the small family burial plot, completely surrounded by woods, about a mile from their own home place. His stone bearing the date Jun 10, 1848, was the oldest grave marker that the writer found while gathering this information. His wife's marker bears the date Feb. 5, 1858.

Among their children, six or more of whom died during childhood, infant mortality being unusually high in those days, was M.M. Johnson who married Remalia Cotton, daughter of W.P. Cotton. She was born in 1841. Their children are Mrs. Renda Pattillo, the late Mrs. Nita Bennett, Bud, Will and Wayne Johnson of this vicinity and the late Mrs. John Brown of Mimm's Chapel.

Nita Johnson married E.E. Bennett. She was a highly regarded citizen of Avinger for many years, her residence being the house on first street between the present M.L. Felker, Sr. and Mrs. C.B. Henderson homes. She is survived by one son, Era Bennett, of Jefferson, and two grandchildren, James Edward and Noah Dent Bennett.

Bud Johnson married Miss Maggie Dorgan and lived for a number of years in the old Johnson community three miles southwest of town. Shortly after the tornado of April 15, 1921, which damaged their large, two story home, they moved to Avinger to operate the town's biggest hotel of the day.

Johnson School, torn down about 25 years ago, was named after this family. The late Mrs. Josie Starnes, wife of Dr. Starnes was one of the teachers in this school.

Mr. Bud Johnson, in addition to building and operating the Johnson Hotel, built and operated a number of large cotton gins in the Johnson community and at Lassater. He will be long remembered by many for the important role he played in maintaining the Avinger Baptist church which organization he served for years as Sunday School Superintendent.

Mrs. Bud Johnson died April 12, 1933. Mr. Bud married again and lived at Lassater for awhile. His second wife was Miss Elvie Ferrel. He died in 1944. Descendants of this family still living are: Armand Johnson, Avinger, who has four children (Margaret, Wanda, Bill and Imogene); Mrs. Alice Wicker, Miss Bonnie Ray Johnson, Mrs. Willa M. Crowley (and daughter Marilyn) and Mrs. Ruby Johnson, widow of Tobe Johnson, and her daughter, Billy Byrd Johnson of Hughes Springs; also Mrs. George (Edry) Caton and daughter Willa Clara of Avinger.

Will Johnson, son of M.M. Johnson, married Mrs. Bettie Gilbert Russell. Into this home were born four children; Maxine, Tom Lee, Billy Jo and Jack. Maxine who is now Mrs. Mack Kerr still lives in this vicinity. She has two children; Betty and Annette.

Mr. Will operated a general store and ice house down next to the railroad tracks, directly behind Bill Bishops present service station. Before the days of the highway, the railroad was the main artery of transportation for merchandise as well as passengers and it was quite common for business houses to locate next to the tracks. In those days drummers and traveling salesmen made their rounds by train.

Wayne Johnson, son of M.M. Johnson and Remalia, spent most of his life in the Johnson, Mimm's Chapel and Bugscuffle communities. He was a successful farmer. He married Miss Betty Ferrell. Children of this union still living are Roy of Ft. Smith, Ark., Marshall, Tommy and Garvin of Little Rock, Ark. Mrs. Betty Johnson, now 86, resides with her children in Arkansas.

Mrs. Leta Johnson Brown had the following descendants: Bernice (Mrs. Bun McCain) of Hughes Springs, children Marie, Sybil, Joan and Leon; Miss Vance Brown who now resides on home place at Mimm's Chapel; Zelma (Mrs. Alec Wilson (deceased) children Norman of Dallas and Lois (Mrs. Junior Chatham of Jefferson; Miss Josie Brown, Miss Ruth Brown (deceased) and Alene, Mrs. Joe Smith, whose children are Joe, Lene and Felix.