In York county, Pa., on the 17th day of February, 1781, Samuel Johnson was born, where he remained until seventeen years of age, and then emigrated to Centre county, Pa.

His father departed this life when our subject was very young, and he was deprived of the care and advice of a father. He learned the cabinet making trade with his stepfather, and commenced business for himself in Half Moon valley, Centre county, shortly after his arrival at that place, continuing his business until 1812, eight years after his marriage to Miss Hannah Fisher, which event took place on the 20th day of March, 1804.

In 1812 he came to Clearfield county, and purchased and settled on a tract of land containing one hundred and fifty acres, being a part of the tract known as the Hopkin & Griffith lands, located on the Grampian Hills, one-fourth of a mile south of Pennville. He first built a round log house to live in, and then began to clear out the forest and improve his land, following farming as his occupation.

He was noted as a great woodsman, taking delight in hunting game of different kinds. In 1824 he erected a larger and more comfortable dwelling. Their union was blessed with nine children: five sons, James, Elah, John, William F., and Garretson; four daughters, Elizabeth, Thirza, Nancy and Hannah. John, Hannah, and Mrs. Johnson, our subject’s wife, departed this life in 1824, and are buried in the Friend’s burying grounds near Pennville the death and burial of the three being in one week, leaving Mr. Johnson and seven children to mourn their loss.

This occurrence threw a still greater responsibility upon our subject, his children being without the maternal care which is required in rearing a family. During Mr. Johnson’s sojourn in Clearfield county he occupied the position of justice of the peace for many years, and served as county commissioner for one term. He was always active in school affairs, being a warm friend to education, and was said to be one of the best-read men in the county.

He remained in this county until 1851, then he and his son Garretson moved to the state of Indiana, where they departed this life, Garretson in 1861, and our subject in 1863, he being in his eighty-second year. Two of the daughters moved to the state of Illinois, Elizabeth and Thirza. Nancy married Patrick Daily, and is living in Clearfield county.
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Halfmoon Valley [where Samuel once resided] is a physical feature (valley) in Centre County. The primary coordinates for Halfmoon Valley places it within the PA 16877 ZIP Code.5799
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Samuel Johnson's father James died when he was young (2 yrs. 5 months). He learned [the] cabinet making trade from his stepfather. He lived 42 years in Penn Twp. Clearfield Co. Served as Justice of the Peace of Clearfield County and also a Clearfield County Commissioner for one term. Later moved to Grant Co. Indiana to live with son Garretson.5800