Gile Johnson

Gile Johnson was married four times. Millie Rich was his second wife.

   Gile JOHNSON, the fourth son of John and Althea WATKINS JOHNSON, was born in Stafford, Connecticut, in the year 1804, and soon after removed with his parents to Herkimer County, N.Y. When seven years of age, he, with his five brothers and a sister became orphaned by the death of his father. His mother unable to provide for so large a family with her limited means, found a home for him in the family of a Mr. GRISWOLD, a farmer of that county, with whom he lived until he was twenty-one years of age. In 1826, he came to Cattaraugus County, N.Y. and bought a farm, adjoining his brother Ralph's, in the town of Dayton which, like the entire surrounding county, was a dense forest, and which by his energy and industry, was soon cleared up and with an occasional addition of fifty or a hundred acres, occupied by him till his death, which took place December 7, 1872. Two years after purchasing his farm, he married Philena SALISBURY, daughter of Calvin SALSBURY of Herkimer County, N.Y., who died in 1839, leaving three little boys. He soon after married Milley, daughter of Calvin and Hannah RICH, of New Albion, who died in 1858, deeply lamented by her numerous friends and acquaintances, especially by her family, consisting of two sons and four daughters, besides the sons of her adoption, all who are now living, excepting his eldest son who died from disease contracted in the army. He afterwards married Rosalinda HUBBARD of Dayton who lived but a few months; and in 1860 he married his present surviving wife, Mrs. Sarah Ann BAILEY, daughter of Nathaniel HURD of Perrysburg, whose portrait is given elsewhere, who now lives on the old homestead, honored and respected by her husband's entire family. Her residence is soon in the engraving near where the subject of this sketch lived and died. Her son, by a former marriage, also makes his home there when off from duty, being a naval officer.

In early life, he became connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church of Dayton of which he remained a faithful member through life, and had the satisfaction of seeing nearly all his family honored members of the same. Besides being a constant officer in the church, he also was twice elected to the office of supervisor, and often held other responsible offices in his town.
Like most men who accumulations depend upon their own industry, he was prudent and economical; yet he would not on any account take advantage of the necessity of others. At an early day, during a period of scarcity of wheat, many of his neighbors were suffering for want of it; and when it could be sold for several dollars per bushel, he would sell his wheat for one dollar per bushel, and would sell but a few bushels to each individual; and also during periods of scarcity of hay, when his neighbor's cattle were starving for want of it, and when it could be sold for a fabulous price, he would sell his hay for ten dollars per ton, and divide it among his neighbors, according to their necessity. He was conscientiously honest in all his dealings. In regard to his farm work, his motto was "drive your work, and not let your work drive you." In all business transaction, he was punctual and prompt to meet all contracts and engagements. He took a deep and lively interest in the welfare of his family, and was a kind and affectionate husband; and his example in life was in perfect harmony with his Christian profession.
from http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~nycattar/1879history/dayton.htm

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Gile JOHNSON was a son of John, who served in the War of 1812 and died in Herkimer county. He was also a brother of Ralph JOHNSON, who figures largely in the early settlement of the town. Gile died here in 1872. His first wife was Philena SALISBURY and the mother of three children. His second wife was Milla RICH. His children were Calvin, Corydon C. (see Medical chapter, p. 168), George, Gile, Belva, Philena, Mary, Elsie, Althena, Leonard, and Julia. Ralph JOHNSON was supervisor of Dayton in 1851, while his brother Gile served in the same capacity in 1855 and 1857.

this wife is buried in Cottage Cemetery JOHNSON, ROSALINDA b. 11-12-1812 (according to Hubbard family records) d. 4-17-1860 42y 11m 22d Int. Row 21 Sec. A lot 6th 20' grave 4 d/o Elisha & Elizabeth (Powers) Hubbard Spouse: Gile Johnson (his 3rd wife) – Gile & 3 other wives & children are Int. Markhams Cemetery Cause of death: childbirth. A son (Leonard) was b. 4-12-1860 & is Int. Markhams Cemetery