B. W. Johnson (1833–1894)

On his father's side his ancestry was English, but was settled in South Carolina before the Revolution. His mother was of Scotch descent. Until he was seventeen his education was that of a prairie farm in the summer and of a log school-house in the winter. At that age he entered Walnut Grove Academy, then conducted by A. S. Fisher and John Lindsey. For a portion of three years he attended its sessions, the last two reciting in Greek and Latin to John H. Neville. After teaching a district school for two terms, he went, in the fall of 1854, to Bethany College. He graduated there in 1856, and after teaching in Bloomington one year, accepted a place in Eureka College.

In 1858 he married Miss Sarah Allen of Bloomington, Illinois, sister of Dr. J. M. Allen. They have three children, all daughters and all married.

Five years later he accepted the position of Corresponding Secretary of the General Missionary Society, and one year after that of Professor in Bethany College. In 1868 he accepted the Presidency of Oskaloosa College. For the last twenty years he, has been engaged as editor of the Christian-Evangelist, and at intervals of editorial work has found time to write a dozen volumes, all commentaries on portions of the Bible, except a volume of travels in the Holy Land. -- Elmira J. Dickinson