Notes for Cicero Howard Johnson




			The Ancestors of H A R R Y F E R G U S O N J O H N S O N of North Carolina

Notes for Cicero Howard Johnson

[Written in a letter by Annie Belle Johnson Stone to Donna Joy Johnson on December 15, 1996:]
"Cicero Howard Johnson inherited a lot of land. He farmed, owned a cotton gin, etc. He was interested in politics and in the 1890s was elected to three terms in the North Carolina House of Representatives. They said Cicero would need extra money and he would sell off two or three hundred acres of land each year - so the land holding got smaller."

Elected three times to two year terms to the North Carolina House of Representatives representing Sampson County, in 1895, 1897, and 1899.

Played the banjo and often entertained neighbors and played at local dances.

The home of Cicero H. Johnson is shown in the book:
"An Inventory of
Historic Architecture
Sampson County
North Carolina"
photos and text by Tom Butchko, copyright by City of Clinton.
Beside the photo of the home is the following text:
"Cicero H. Johnson House
Ingold vicinity
Cicero Howard Johnson (1854-1912) had this late Greek Revival house built along local lines about 1875. Johnson served Sampson County for three terms in the State Legislature from 1895-1901. The center hall house has one large room on each side with smaller rooms in front and behind in the main room; there are two large rooms in the upper half story."

[Postscript from "The Family of Cicero Howard Johnson," by Merla Cline Johnson and Betty Gene Best] The foregoing compilations cover over one hundred years of living by Johnsons. Research, and interviews have opened up doors to a fascinating study of this southeastern family.
Cicero and Eugenia lived in an era following the Civil War of little money, cheap land, blacks without opportunity, large families, strong church ties, and close-knit communities. Cicero took an active part in his church and community affairs. Very outgoing, he found himself involved in state politics. Both parents gave their strong ideals to their children.
Many of the children of Cicero and Eugenia left the area around Ingold to seek their fortune elsewhere. The depression of the twenties left its mark and scattered them even more. The children of Cicero and Eugenia sent their sons and daughters to the second World War and each and all surmounted hardships of surviving in a difficult time. Even so, the children of Cicero and Eugenia kept close contact with each other and their reunions brought them pleasure as well as renewed spirits.
Johnsons were and continue to be sustained by essentially the--same traits that have served them from their beginnings in Scotland. Most have a sense of humor that prevents them from becoming too pompous and allows them to find levity in most situations. Although personalities and interests are extremely varied--from the extrovert politician to the quiet scholar; all possess a "stick to it" determination and an innate sense of honor that keeps them loyal to their beliefs.
Their wealth has been their children and their greatest joy--the family. If you want to gain the attention of a Johnson, mention good food or one of his children. "Keeping the Trust" is a motto that very aptly applies to this family. Johnsons have always kept the trust in family, God, and country.
We hope the reading of this will bring pleasure and encourage others to take up this project as theirs.

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