Pioneer of 1845
Son of Eleazar Johnson and Martha Round
“Rev. Hezekiah Johnson was born of Baptist parents, in Maryland, March 6, 1799. His father was a minister and moved to Ohio about 1816, where Hezekiah professed religion and was baptized in 1825, and licensed in the August following. In December, 1826, he married Miss Eliza S. Harris; with whom he lived happily until his death; nearly 40 years. He was ordained in April, 1827. He preached in Highland and Ross counties, a part of the time traveling under the Ohio State Board, but finally settled as pastor at Oldtown, or old Chillicothe, which position he held for about seven years. He went to Iowa in 1838, and traveled for some time under the A.B.H.M. Society of New York. He was the first missionary of the first Association in Iowa, in 1839; and the first to preach before the Iowa Convention in 1842. In 1845 the A.B.H.M. Society sent Revs. H. Johnson and Ezra Fisher to Oregon; furnishing $400 for an outfit, and paying each $200 a year as missionaries. In December 1845 he settled near Oregon City, and soon commenced preaching at private houses in outlying neighborhoods. But the church at Oregon City was not organized until July 4, 1847. None of the constituent members are living; Sister Johnson being the last to depart. She died December 30, 1878, being over 70 years of age.
“Soon after the church organization Brother Johnson secured two lots in the northern part of the City, on which to build a meetinghouse. He cleared off the trees, erected a building 20 x 30 feet seated, it with rough boards and with a little help did the work; thus was completed the first Baptist meetinghouse west of the Rocky mountains. The brethren worshipped in this house for nearly 27 years, when their present large anc [sic] commodious house was erected. In the fall of 1848 Brother Johnson started a school in his meetinghouse, in charge of his niece; afterwards Rev. Ezra Fisher taught the school; and it ultimately culminated in the Oregon City University; this has been superceded by McMinnville College. Sometimes Brother Johnson traveled as a missionary evangelist; sometimes he served as a pastor. That is he preached once or twice a month to two or more churches. His travels were quite extensive, and often laborious; sometime on foot; sometimes astride of his “Cayuse.” He said this was his best study and that his “happiest efforts’ were wrought out on horse back. The demands of his family forbade much time for intellectual research. As matters were then, it was not necessary. His thorough knowledge of the Scriptures, backed by soul reason and a giant mind, made him a foe to be dreaded, even if he lacked classical culture of metaphysical training. He died August 28, 1866, of typhoid pneumonia. His health had been feeble for some time, and he could do but little for the cause he loved. He was subject to violent attacks of sick headache, and one of his lungs troubled him, and his strength began to fail in 1856. Of his death, the Willamette Association thus speaks:
“‘Resolved: That in the removal of our greatly beloved Elder Hezekiah Johnson, as Christians, we have lost a brother, faithful and true; the Bible an expounder earnest and able; the pulpit a preacher forcible and instructive; truth a defender bold and untiring; and the church a laborer, who in seeking its welfare, conferred not with flesh and blood, but toiled on amidst discouragements and hardships, never doubting her ultimate and glorious triumph.’
“Of his large family some died young. Hon W. Cary Johnson, L.L.D. is one of the prominent lawyers of the State; and also one of the most useful and active members of the Oregon City church. Rev. Franklin Johnson, D.D. is well known to the denomination. Miss Julia, afterwards Mrs. H. L. McNary, graduated in the Medical department of the Willamette University in 1878. she died January 2, 1890; till the last, a live, active, zealous Christian; earnest and exemplary; and noted for her works of love and benevolence.”
From the “Baptist Annals of Oregon. Baptist History of the North Pacific Coast.” by Rev. C. H. Mattoon, originally published in 1905 and republished in 1980, pages 46-47.
Son of Eleazar Johnson and Martha Round
“Rev. Hezekiah Johnson was born of Baptist parents, in Maryland, March 6, 1799. His father was a minister and moved to Ohio about 1816, where Hezekiah professed religion and was baptized in 1825, and licensed in the August following. In December, 1826, he married Miss Eliza S. Harris; with whom he lived happily until his death; nearly 40 years. He was ordained in April, 1827. He preached in Highland and Ross counties, a part of the time traveling under the Ohio State Board, but finally settled as pastor at Oldtown, or old Chillicothe, which position he held for about seven years. He went to Iowa in 1838, and traveled for some time under the A.B.H.M. Society of New York. He was the first missionary of the first Association in Iowa, in 1839; and the first to preach before the Iowa Convention in 1842. In 1845 the A.B.H.M. Society sent Revs. H. Johnson and Ezra Fisher to Oregon; furnishing $400 for an outfit, and paying each $200 a year as missionaries. In December 1845 he settled near Oregon City, and soon commenced preaching at private houses in outlying neighborhoods. But the church at Oregon City was not organized until July 4, 1847. None of the constituent members are living; Sister Johnson being the last to depart. She died December 30, 1878, being over 70 years of age.
“Soon after the church organization Brother Johnson secured two lots in the northern part of the City, on which to build a meetinghouse. He cleared off the trees, erected a building 20 x 30 feet seated, it with rough boards and with a little help did the work; thus was completed the first Baptist meetinghouse west of the Rocky mountains. The brethren worshipped in this house for nearly 27 years, when their present large anc [sic] commodious house was erected. In the fall of 1848 Brother Johnson started a school in his meetinghouse, in charge of his niece; afterwards Rev. Ezra Fisher taught the school; and it ultimately culminated in the Oregon City University; this has been superceded by McMinnville College. Sometimes Brother Johnson traveled as a missionary evangelist; sometimes he served as a pastor. That is he preached once or twice a month to two or more churches. His travels were quite extensive, and often laborious; sometime on foot; sometimes astride of his “Cayuse.” He said this was his best study and that his “happiest efforts’ were wrought out on horse back. The demands of his family forbade much time for intellectual research. As matters were then, it was not necessary. His thorough knowledge of the Scriptures, backed by soul reason and a giant mind, made him a foe to be dreaded, even if he lacked classical culture of metaphysical training. He died August 28, 1866, of typhoid pneumonia. His health had been feeble for some time, and he could do but little for the cause he loved. He was subject to violent attacks of sick headache, and one of his lungs troubled him, and his strength began to fail in 1856. Of his death, the Willamette Association thus speaks:
“‘Resolved: That in the removal of our greatly beloved Elder Hezekiah Johnson, as Christians, we have lost a brother, faithful and true; the Bible an expounder earnest and able; the pulpit a preacher forcible and instructive; truth a defender bold and untiring; and the church a laborer, who in seeking its welfare, conferred not with flesh and blood, but toiled on amidst discouragements and hardships, never doubting her ultimate and glorious triumph.’
“Of his large family some died young. Hon W. Cary Johnson, L.L.D. is one of the prominent lawyers of the State; and also one of the most useful and active members of the Oregon City church. Rev. Franklin Johnson, D.D. is well known to the denomination. Miss Julia, afterwards Mrs. H. L. McNary, graduated in the Medical department of the Willamette University in 1878. she died January 2, 1890; till the last, a live, active, zealous Christian; earnest and exemplary; and noted for her works of love and benevolence.”
From the “Baptist Annals of Oregon. Baptist History of the North Pacific Coast.” by Rev. C. H. Mattoon, originally published in 1905 and republished in 1980, pages 46-47.
Pioneer of 1845
Son of Eleazar Johnson and Martha Round
“Rev. Hezekiah Johnson was born of Baptist parents, in Maryland, March 6, 1799. His father was a minister and moved to Ohio about 1816, where Hezekiah professed religion and was baptized in 1825, and licensed in the August following. In December, 1826, he married Miss Eliza S. Harris; with whom he lived happily until his death; nearly 40 years. He was ordained in April, 1827. He preached in Highland and Ross counties, a part of the time traveling under the Ohio State Board, but finally settled as pastor at Oldtown, or old Chillicothe, which position he held for about seven years. He went to Iowa in 1838, and traveled for some time under the A.B.H.M. Society of New York. He was the first missionary of the first Association in Iowa, in 1839; and the first to preach before the Iowa Convention in 1842. In 1845 the A.B.H.M. Society sent Revs. H. Johnson and Ezra Fisher to Oregon; furnishing $400 for an outfit, and paying each $200 a year as missionaries. In December 1845 he settled near Oregon City, and soon commenced preaching at private houses in outlying neighborhoods. But the church at Oregon City was not organized until July 4, 1847. None of the constituent members are living; Sister Johnson being the last to depart. She died December 30, 1878, being over 70 years of age.
“Soon after the church organization Brother Johnson secured two lots in the northern part of the City, on which to build a meetinghouse. He cleared off the trees, erected a building 20 x 30 feet seated, it with rough boards and with a little help did the work; thus was completed the first Baptist meetinghouse west of the Rocky mountains. The brethren worshipped in this house for nearly 27 years, when their present large anc [sic] commodious house was erected. In the fall of 1848 Brother Johnson started a school in his meetinghouse, in charge of his niece; afterwards Rev. Ezra Fisher taught the school; and it ultimately culminated in the Oregon City University; this has been superceded by McMinnville College. Sometimes Brother Johnson traveled as a missionary evangelist; sometimes he served as a pastor. That is he preached once or twice a month to two or more churches. His travels were quite extensive, and often laborious; sometime on foot; sometimes astride of his “Cayuse.” He said this was his best study and that his “happiest efforts’ were wrought out on horse back. The demands of his family forbade much time for intellectual research. As matters were then, it was not necessary. His thorough knowledge of the Scriptures, backed by soul reason and a giant mind, made him a foe to be dreaded, even if he lacked classical culture of metaphysical training. He died August 28, 1866, of typhoid pneumonia. His health had been feeble for some time, and he could do but little for the cause he loved. He was subject to violent attacks of sick headache, and one of his lungs troubled him, and his strength began to fail in 1856. Of his death, the Willamette Association thus speaks:
“‘Resolved: That in the removal of our greatly beloved Elder Hezekiah Johnson, as Christians, we have lost a brother, faithful and true; the Bible an expounder earnest and able; the pulpit a preacher forcible and instructive; truth a defender bold and untiring; and the church a laborer, who in seeking its welfare, conferred not with flesh and blood, but toiled on amidst discouragements and hardships, never doubting her ultimate and glorious triumph.’
“Of his large family some died young. Hon W. Cary Johnson, L.L.D. is one of the prominent lawyers of the State; and also one of the most useful and active members of the Oregon City church. Rev. Franklin Johnson, D.D. is well known to the denomination. Miss Julia, afterwards Mrs. H. L. McNary, graduated in the Medical department of the Willamette University in 1878. she died January 2, 1890; till the last, a live, active, zealous Christian; earnest and exemplary; and noted for her works of love and benevolence.”
From the “Baptist Annals of Oregon. Baptist History of the North Pacific Coast.” by Rev. C. H. Mattoon, originally published in 1905 and republished in 1980, pages 46-47.
Son of Eleazar Johnson and Martha Round
“Rev. Hezekiah Johnson was born of Baptist parents, in Maryland, March 6, 1799. His father was a minister and moved to Ohio about 1816, where Hezekiah professed religion and was baptized in 1825, and licensed in the August following. In December, 1826, he married Miss Eliza S. Harris; with whom he lived happily until his death; nearly 40 years. He was ordained in April, 1827. He preached in Highland and Ross counties, a part of the time traveling under the Ohio State Board, but finally settled as pastor at Oldtown, or old Chillicothe, which position he held for about seven years. He went to Iowa in 1838, and traveled for some time under the A.B.H.M. Society of New York. He was the first missionary of the first Association in Iowa, in 1839; and the first to preach before the Iowa Convention in 1842. In 1845 the A.B.H.M. Society sent Revs. H. Johnson and Ezra Fisher to Oregon; furnishing $400 for an outfit, and paying each $200 a year as missionaries. In December 1845 he settled near Oregon City, and soon commenced preaching at private houses in outlying neighborhoods. But the church at Oregon City was not organized until July 4, 1847. None of the constituent members are living; Sister Johnson being the last to depart. She died December 30, 1878, being over 70 years of age.
“Soon after the church organization Brother Johnson secured two lots in the northern part of the City, on which to build a meetinghouse. He cleared off the trees, erected a building 20 x 30 feet seated, it with rough boards and with a little help did the work; thus was completed the first Baptist meetinghouse west of the Rocky mountains. The brethren worshipped in this house for nearly 27 years, when their present large anc [sic] commodious house was erected. In the fall of 1848 Brother Johnson started a school in his meetinghouse, in charge of his niece; afterwards Rev. Ezra Fisher taught the school; and it ultimately culminated in the Oregon City University; this has been superceded by McMinnville College. Sometimes Brother Johnson traveled as a missionary evangelist; sometimes he served as a pastor. That is he preached once or twice a month to two or more churches. His travels were quite extensive, and often laborious; sometime on foot; sometimes astride of his “Cayuse.” He said this was his best study and that his “happiest efforts’ were wrought out on horse back. The demands of his family forbade much time for intellectual research. As matters were then, it was not necessary. His thorough knowledge of the Scriptures, backed by soul reason and a giant mind, made him a foe to be dreaded, even if he lacked classical culture of metaphysical training. He died August 28, 1866, of typhoid pneumonia. His health had been feeble for some time, and he could do but little for the cause he loved. He was subject to violent attacks of sick headache, and one of his lungs troubled him, and his strength began to fail in 1856. Of his death, the Willamette Association thus speaks:
“‘Resolved: That in the removal of our greatly beloved Elder Hezekiah Johnson, as Christians, we have lost a brother, faithful and true; the Bible an expounder earnest and able; the pulpit a preacher forcible and instructive; truth a defender bold and untiring; and the church a laborer, who in seeking its welfare, conferred not with flesh and blood, but toiled on amidst discouragements and hardships, never doubting her ultimate and glorious triumph.’
“Of his large family some died young. Hon W. Cary Johnson, L.L.D. is one of the prominent lawyers of the State; and also one of the most useful and active members of the Oregon City church. Rev. Franklin Johnson, D.D. is well known to the denomination. Miss Julia, afterwards Mrs. H. L. McNary, graduated in the Medical department of the Willamette University in 1878. she died January 2, 1890; till the last, a live, active, zealous Christian; earnest and exemplary; and noted for her works of love and benevolence.”
From the “Baptist Annals of Oregon. Baptist History of the North Pacific Coast.” by Rev. C. H. Mattoon, originally published in 1905 and republished in 1980, pages 46-47.
Inscription
PIONEER
Baptist Missionaries
In Ohio from
1826 to 1839
Iowa to 1845
Oregon from 1845
to Life's close
Their memory is blessed;
Their works do follow them.
Gravesite Details
Top of marker is broken and leaning against base.
Family Members
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