The third son and tenth child (of thirteen) of Capt. Othniel and Anna (Elmer) Johnson.

His little sister Lovice died in 1825 (almost 3). His brother Homer died in 1843 at age 40.

Edwin came to Wisconsin in August or September of 1841 (age 22). He settled on a farm on part of which now stands Methodist Manor, a retirement home at S. 84th and Beloit Road in West Allis. Upon his urgings, siblings William Wallace, Thetis and Marion arrived in Wisconsin in May 1842.

Edwin was a mason by trade, yet managed the operation of the the farm and also engaged in teaching for many years. He donated land for an area school and, after teaching, held the position of Superintendent of Schools. He was Greenfield Town Assessor in 1846; Town Clerk (1860-1879) and Town Treasurer (1880-1884). He also served as justice of the peace and was a trustee of North Greenfield Church until removed on Aug. 24, 1889.

Edwin was married four times:

1) Paulina Howes (b. Aug. 1820) on 21 Nov. 1844 in a ceremony performed by Justice of the Peace John Cooper (who was married to his sister Marion on the same day). This union produced 3 sons and 5 daughters born between 1845 and 1860, of whom only five reached aduldhood. Paulina died 2 June 1864 of a brain concussion received from being thrown from a carriage while on a trip from Milwaukee.

2) Christiana (Packard) Remington (b. Dec. 1833) on 30 Dec. 1864. She died 18 June 1873. They had two sons and two daughters born between 1866 and 1872, but sadly, only one child (Edwin F. born 17 July 1867) reached adulthood.

3) Ereda (Baker) Howes (b. Oct. 1823) on 18 April 1876. She died 16 Feb. 1879. (She was the widow of Nathan Howes Jr., the brother of Paulina Howes).

4) Susanna M. (Woodward) Dickinson Church (b. May 1828) on 4 Nov. 1880. She was his first cousin. They married in Massachusetts and his bride died on the way back home to Wisconsin on 20 Nov. 1880.

Edwin outlived all four of his wives and six of his children as well. All are buried in Honey Creek Cemetery in West Allis.

In late August 1889, Edwin, age 70, sold his farm and left town (circumstances unknown). He moved to Illinois where several of his children lived. Edwin died eleven years later at age 81 in Decatur, Illinois. His body was returned to West Allis for burial in Honey Creek Cemetery in the family plot.

Survived by his sons Milton, Franklin and Edwin and by his daughters Mrs. Mary Brown, Mrs. Martha Smith and Mrs. Anna Davis. Also had several stepchildren (children of Ereda Howes and of Susanna Dickinson). Survived also by 13 grandchildren and by his brother William Wallace (by nine days) and sister Mrs. Semira Sprague and by his brother-in-law John Cooper. Further survived by many nieces and nephews and other relatives.