The Life and Times of Thomas Scott Johnson as Revealed by the Thomas Johnson Papers, Emphasis 1865-1900

Abstract

The Life and Times of Thomas Scott Johnson as Revealed by the Thomas Scott Johnson Papers-Emphasis 1865-1900 presents a biographical sketch of Thomas S. Johnson with emphasis focused on the years 1865 to 1900. It 1s the author's contention that Thomas S. Johnson's life gained significance because of the time he spent teaching, ministering, and wr1ting. The two most important aspects of Mr. Johnson's career were his years of service as a chaplain to the l27th and ,6th Regiments of the United States Colored Troops during the Civil War, and the fifty year span during which t1me he served as pastor of the Assembly Presbyterian Church in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. While living in Beaver Dam Pastor Johnson extended his ministry through personal correspondence, numerous articles published in a variety of relig1ous and secular journals, and by taking an active role in bettering the life of his community. The pr1mary source of materials used in writing this paper was the "Thomas Scott Johnson Papers" wh1ch 1s composed of numerous letters, diaries, account books, journals, articles. sermons, and newspaper clippings, all relating to Thomas Johnson and his family. In the course of the research over 2,000 letters pertaining d1rectly to the period 1865 to 1900 were read and noted as to the date written, to whom it was written, by whom it was written, and any information of significance to the study. The "Thomas Scott Johnson Papers" are preserved in the Wisconsin state University, Oshkosh, Area Research Center, and were used while on loan to the Wisconsin State University, La Crosse, Area Research Center.