History of Smithland, (Livingston County) Kentucky United States of America

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Biographies:

John Milton Johnson, physician, was born in Smithland, Livingston county, Ky., Jan. 15, 1812; son of Col. Robert Johnson, and a descendant of Thomas Johnson, who came to America in 1700. He was educated at home by his father, studied medicine with a physician of Madisonville, Ky., and began practice in 1833. When the epidemic known as the "milk sickness" was prevalent in western Kentucky, 1840-45, he was successful in the treatment of the disease and his notes upon it were published in the London Lancet and other medical journals. At the outbreak of the civil war he was made surgeon of the post at Atlanta, Ga., was later medical director for General Hardee's division, and served under General Bragg in all his engagements. After the close of the war he settled in Atlanta, Ga. He was elected president of the Atlanta Academy of Medicine, 1875, and was professor of physiology and pathological anatomy in Atlanta Medical college, 1868-72. He died in Atlanta, Ga. May 18, 1886.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Richard W. Johnson, soldier, was born near Smithland, Livingston county, Ky., Feb. 7, 1827; son of Col. Robert Johnson and a brother of John Milton Johnson . He was graduated from the U.S. Military academy in 1849 and was brevetted 2nd lieutenant and assigned to the 6th infantry. He was transferred to the 1st infantry, June 10, 1850; to the 2d cavalry with the rank of 1st lieutenant, March 3, 1855, and was promoted captain, Dec. 1, 1856. He served on the Texas frontier, 1855-61; was assigned to the 3d Kentucky cavalry with the rank of lieutenant-colonel of volunteers, Aug. 28, 1861; was promoted brigadier-general of volunteers, Oct. 11, 1861, and assigned to General Buell's army, and participated in the engagements at Shiloh, Tenn., and in the siege of Corinth, Miss. He commanded a division of the Army of the Ohio in the Tennessee campaign; was taken prisoner at Gallatin, Aug. 21, 1862, and after his exchange in December, 1862, commanded the 12th division of the Army of the Cumberland and was in the engagements at Stone's River, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge and all the subsequent battles, including New Hope Church, Ga., where he was wounded, May 28, 1864. He commanded a division of cavalry in the battle of Nashville, Dec. 15-16, 1864. He was a member of the staff of Gen. George H. Thomas, serving as provost-marshal and judge-advocate until be was mustered out of the volunteer service, Jan. 15, 1866. He received brevets in the volunteer service as lieutenant-colonel, Sept. 20, 1863, for Chickamauga; colonel, Nov. 24, 1863, for Chattanooga; brigadier-general, March 13, 1865, for Nashville, Tenn.; major-general, March 13, 1865, for "gallant and meritorious services on the field during the war, and major-general of volunteers for gallant and meritorious services in the battles before Nashville." He resigned from the regular army with the rank of major, Oct. 12, 1867, and was retired with the rank of brigadier-general, March 3, 1875. He was military professor in the University of Missouri, 1868-69 and in the University of Minnesota, 1869-70. He was the unsuccessful candidate of the Democratic party for governor of Minnesota in 1881. He is the author of: A Memoir of Gen. George H. Thomas (1881); Manual for Colt's Breech-Loading Carbine and Navy Revolver; A Soldier's Reminiscences (1886). He died in St. Paul, Minn., April 21, 1897.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor