JOHNSON, Joseph Ellis (JE)

Joseph Ellis Johnson, one of Arizona's most illustrious pioneers, was born in Pomfret, Chautauqua County, New York, 28 April 1817, son of Ezekiel (1773-1848) and Julia Hills (1780-1853) Johnson. Moved to Kirtland, Ohio 1832; Springfield, Illinois 1838; Nauvoo and Ramus, Illinois 1841. Married Harriet Snider 1840. When the Mormons were driven out of Illinois JEJ was asked to stay in the Council Bluffs, Iowa area to publish a newspaper and operate a general store. He published several newspapers in Iowa and Nebraska, including the Omaha Arrow, first newspaper in Nebraska, was elected to the first Nebraska legislature, was instumental in naming Omaha (he toured the Eastern States with a group of Omaha Indians), opened the first store in Cherry Creek (now Denver) Colorado, was nominated to be Colorado's delegate to Congress, moved to Utah in 1860, published newspapers in St. George and Silver Reef, moved to Arizona in 1882 where he purchased 80 acres from Trumbull Hayden and platted a townsite in what is now Tempe, Arizona. Published horticulture journals with wide distribution in Europe. Died December 1882 after catching pneumonia while irrigating. Obituaries published in Salt Lake City, London, Frankfurt and Paris (but none in Arizona). Survivors included his wife, Harriet, and a son, Joel Elmer Johnson (who was first person to raise navel oranges and grapefruit in Arizona). JEJ was survived by 19 of his 29 children, and all three of his wives, Harriet Snider, Hannah Goddard and Eliza Saunders.