Lydia Ann (Barlow) Johnson
Nov. 5, 1911; Oregonian, p 9  (photo)
"Oregon Pioneer Woman Dies in Grant County"
John Day, Or., Nov. 2

  Mrs. W. H. Johnson, who died here October 29, 1911, was one of the pioneers of the state.  Rev. c. A. Quinn had charge of the funeral services, which were held here Tuesday from the Methodist Episcopal Church.  Burial was in the John Day Cemetery.

   Mrs. Johnson's maiden name was Lydia Ann Barlow.  She was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Barlow, and was born in Rock Island, Ill., October 30, 1838.  She was married to William Henry Johnson, November 25, 1858, and to them were born give children, three of whom, C. P. Johnson and Miss Nellie Johnson, of this city, and Clarence Johnson, of Cambridge, Idaho, survive here.  She is survived also by her husband and three brothers, Chris Farlow of Marion, and Perry and Simeon Farlow, of Jackson County.

   The Barlow family joined an ox train that was guided West by Kit Carson and after spending six months on the overland trip over the Barlow route, by way of the present sites of Boise and Heppner, they settled in Linn County, between Jefferson and Albany.  Here Mrs. Johnson grew to womanhood and married and here her four eldest children were born.

   In 1872 the pioneers again craved the life of the frontier and exchanging their possessions for livestock they came to Grant County, settled at the junction of the North and South forks of the John Day River and became pioneers of Grant County and of a new industry, for cattle and sheep raising had not yet begun among the forest-clad slopes of the John Day Valley.  Their home was 30 miles north of the present site of Dayville.  There were many Indians here then and many times when the redmen called at the Johnson home and found the men away they gave the plucky little woman quite a fright.  But she maintained her courageous bearing and won much praise from even the red men.

   In the Spring of 1879 the Piute outbreak brought the horrors of savage warfare near the Johnson home and the family cached their home and started for Canyon City.

   When four miles on their way they met a messenger sent to warn them that the Indians were coming down the south fork of the river.  This changed their plans and they made a hurried march to Heppner, where they passed six weeks.  In the meantime the Indians passed to the east of the Johnson home and fought the Battle of Pilot Rock with the volunteers and Government troops.

   In 1885 the Johnson family moved to Rock Creek and established a home near the present site of Dayville and four years later came to John Day, where they have since resided.