Ellis N. Johnson Jr. (May 22, 1826 – July 27, 1902) was an American politician and educator from Ohio. He founded Southwestern Normal School (later California University of Pennsylvania) in 1852. He served as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives from 1870 to 1874.

Early life

Ellis N. Johnson Jr. was born on May 22, 1826, to Doreas (née Moffat) and Ellis N. Johnson (1789–1889), in Mount Union,

Stark County, Ohio Stark County is a county located in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 374,853. Its county seat is Canton. The county was created in 1808 and organized the next year. It is named for John Stark, an officer in th ...

. His father was a surgeon, abolitionist, and served as mayor of Mount Union, justice of the peace and surveyor. His uncle was Job Johnson, an incorporator of Washington, Pennsylvania. Johnson graduated from Marlborough College. He also attended Mount Union College. He later graduated from Cleveland Law School.

Career

Johnson taught at Mount Union College. In 1852, Johnson founded Southwestern Normal School (later named California University of Pennsylvania) in Washington, Pennsylvania. He was its first principal, serving from 1852 to 1860. After graduating from Cleveland Law School, he returned to teach in Alliance. Johnson served in the Ohio House of Representatives from 1870 to 1874. He was appointed by Secretary of the Treasury John Sherman to a position in the

U.S. Department of the Treasury The Department of the Treasury (USDT) is the national treasury and finance department of the federal government of the United States, where it serves as an executive department. The department oversees the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and th ...

. He then worked three years in the U.S. Department of War. He served as special examiner in the U.S. Pension Office for four years.

Personal life

Johnson married Jane Scott in 1853. She worked as a teacher. They had one son, James W. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church. Johnson died on July 27, 1902, at the age of 77.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Johnson, Ellis N. Jr. 1826 births 1902 deaths People from Stark County, Ohio Cleveland State University College of Law alumni University of Mount Union faculty California University of Pennsylvania faculty Members of the Ohio House of Representatives United States Department of the Treasury officials United States Department of War officials 19th-century American educators 19th-century American legislators