James was born in Centre county, Pa., on the 10th day of July, 1806, where he remained until six years of age, and was then brought to Clearfield county by his parents. As there were but few terms of school taught during his minority, his school days were limited, being only about three months in all. His knowledge of books was obtained by study at home, and instructions from his father, and his business education was attained by practical experience.

He stayed at home with his father until twenty-seven years of age, and then commenced business for himself, in company with his brother Elah. Their first purchase was one hundred and forty-three acres of land, a part of the tract known as the John Nicholson survey (No. 5,962), located on Bell’s run, one mile above its mouth, which they began improving. Their first improvement was a saw-mill, built about 1832-3, and their next building was a dwelling house, which is still standing, near the saw-mill.

Their next purchases was one hundred and sixty-three acres, being a part of the Nichlin & Griffith tract (No. 5,935), which they also commenced clearing and improving building a dwelling house and preparing for tilling the soil. They continued in business as partners for eleven years, when they made a division of their land, James taking the first purchase, and Elah the second.

Our subject, James, continued improving his land by clearing away the forest, and made farming his occupation in connection with manufacturing lumber, making the latter business a decided success. He next bought fifty acres of land from Owens & McCracken, and then purchased three hundred acres from Gov. Wm. Bigler. He built a fine brick residence on his farm in 1861, in which he is now [1878] living.

He erected a large woolen factory near his saw-mill on Bell’s run, in 1866. In connection with farming and lumbering he followed the manufacturing of all kinds of woolen goods, making the business a success for four years. His factory then burned down, and thus put an end to that business for ten months, during which time he erected another factory, had it in running order, and commenced that branch of his business again with renewed energy.

He is still pursuing his three vocations, viz., farming, and manufacturing lumber and woolen goods. He was married to Miss Sarah Stugart, daughter of John Stugart, on the 21st day of April, 1835. They were the parents of nine children, six sons and three daughters: Wm. P., John S., David H., Matthew W., James A., Francis D., Hannah E., Eliza, and Elizabeth, all of whom are now living except Eliza, who died on the 2d day of February, 1848.

The remaining eight are all living near their parents. Our subject has a Bible in his possession that was printed in 1749. It was owned by his grandfather, and given to his father in 1795.2592
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James Johnson … operated the first woolen mill in Clearfield County. The mill was located at Johnsonville which is about 2 miles north of Curry Run on the road from Curry run to Grampian.5803
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Bob Johnson who is a descendent of the pioneer James Johnson of Bells Landing experienced an uncommon chore on April 15, 1949. Mr. Johnson was one of the people responsible for having to carry the body of John Cross down out of the woods where he was found by a neighbor, Rance Thorp. Mr. Cross had been fishing near where Coon Run empties into Curry Run and had an apparent heart attack and passed away. Mr. Cross was the caretaker for the Clary Gun Club and was spendinga relaxing day fishing when he met his fate. Bob Johnson helped remove the body to the road wher Tom McCracken’s hearse was waiting to take the body to the hospital. The Clary Gun Club erected a monument at the location that the body was found in honor of John. Mr. Cross was 70 years old at his passing.5804