Benjamin Pierce Johnson was an American agriculturist. He served as corresponding secretary of the New York State Agricultural Society.
Background
Johnson was born on November 30, 1793, in Canaan, New York, the son of William Johnson, a physician. His grandfather, William Johnstone, also a physician, emigrated from Scotland about the middle of the eighteenth century and settled in the province of Massachusetts Bay. As there was another physician of the same name in the vicinity, his grandfather changed his name from Johnstone to Johnson. Benjamin's father, after the Revolution, became a resident of Canaan, Columbia County, New York, where he managed a farm and also engaged in an extensive medical practice. He had six children, the youngest of whom was Benjamin Pierce Johnson.
Benjamin's early life was spent at home upon the farm, his fondness for agriculture exhibiting itself strongly while he was still a boy.
Education
Johnson's was prepared for college in Lenox, Massachussets, entered Union College, Schenectady, New York, in 1810, and graduated in 1813.
Career
Having chosen law for his profession Johnson first entered the office of his brother-in-law, John Foote, of Hamilton, and later studied with Elisha Williams. In 1816 his father moved to Oneida County, purchasing a small farm near Rome. The next year Benjamin followed his father and established himself in the practice of law in Rome. He became a favorite in his community, was elected to various public offices, and from 1827 to 1829 represented Oneida County in the New York Assembly.
Returning to Rome at the close of his term, he resumed his law practice but also began to give more attention to agriculture. He became interested in the work of the New York State Agricultural Society and on its reorganization in 1841, he was elected one of the vice-presidents. In 1844 he was corresponding secretary and in 1845 president of the society. He led a busy life but he was unsuccessful in his money matters and in May 1846 found himself wholly unable to meet his obligations. Too proud to tell his friends, he sailed for Europe and was absent until November following, when he returned to Rome. His associates, having learned of his difficulties, had meanwhile arranged his affairs.
While abroad Johnson made a study of agricultural conditions in England and Wales. Although his departure to Europe was a serious mistake of judgment, it later turned out to his advantage. The experience he gained there and the contacts he made served him well in the position of corresponding secretary of the New York State Agricultural Society to which he was again elected in January 1847, soon after his return. He moved to Albany with his family and made this his home for the remainder of his life. He gave up all other business and devoted himself wholly to the Society and to the development of the agricultural interests of New York state. Having been appointed by the governor of New York a commissioner to the London exhibition of 1851, to represent the interests of the state at the exhibition, he went to London in April 1850. He was placed on one of the most important of the juries, that of agricultural implements and machinery. His knowledge of the agricultural wants of England was particularly helpful in the trials of plows and American reapers, the success of which turned the tide of public opinion in favor of American inventions. In the summer of 1851, with a number of his associates, he visited France by invitation of the French Emperor. The National Agricultural Society of France honored him by the presentation of the society's medal of membership.
During the Civil War he was appointed commissioner from the United States to the International Exhibition of 1862 in London and was again able to render valuable service to American exhibitors. He returned home in October 1862, to find his wife seriously ill. She died the following December and Johnson never fully recovered from the blow. He died April 12, 1869, and was buried in Rome, New York. One son and a daughter survived him.
Achievements
Johnson is best remembered for his work as an agriculturist. After travelling to England and Wales, his experience earned him a position of corresponding secretary of the New York State Agricultural Society.
Membership
Johnson was joint editor of the Central New York Farmer from 1842 to 1844.
Connections
In Rome Johnson met and married, on December 11, 1820, Anne McKinstry who died on January 28, 1837. On March 1, 1838, he married Mary Adams of Sherbourne, Chenango County. His second wife died in December 1862, and Johnson never recovered.
