Baraboo Republic Wednesday, July 30, 1890

One Hundred Years. A Century of Life for “Uncle Billy” Johnson. His Death Saturday Morning. He Helped Construct the Building Occupied by the First Wisconsin Legislature.

William Johnson, familiarly called Uncle “Billy,” died at his residence in the town, of Sumpter, Saturday, July 26th, 1890, being nearly 101 years old.
The following extract gives us a brief outline of Uncle Billy’s life:
William Johnson was born in Troy, New York, and was taken to Pennsylvania by his parents when 2 years of age. When he was 21 years old he went to Ohio, remaining there until 1836, when he came to Wisconsin. In 1811 he was married to Mary Tillberry, in Luzerne county, PA., and had four children. His wife died in 1828, and he was married again in 1829 to Mahala Thomas, by whom he had eight children. He first located at Belmont, Grant county, when he came to Wisconsin, and was a subcontractor on the building first occupied by the legislature of the state at Belmont. He plowed the first furrow in the town of Sumpter, Sauk county, whither he moved in 1840. He has been vigorous until the past few years; could read without the use of spectacles, and was able to walk great distances without fatigue.”
The funeral services were held at the Sumpter church Monday, conducted by Rev. T.J. Snodgrass and were largely attended.
Following are the names of the relatives of the deceased not residing in Sumpter, who were present at the funeral:
Mr. And Mrs. Elbert Johnson, of Altoona; Mr. And Mrs. H. Sayles, of Cross Plains; Mrs. D. Sykes, of Madison; Mrs. Brandler, of Cross Plains; Mr. J.H. Bailey, son and daughter of Prairie du Sac.
Contributed by Jill Fyall Livesey