Edward H. Johnson was born in Canaan, Conn., Jan. 23, 1798. In his boyhood he came 
to Spencerport, Columbia Co., New York, from thence to New Berlin, Chenango Co., 
New York where he lived for a while with an uncle. In 1819 he left his uncle to 
seek his fortune, traveling on foot to this part of the state then the far west. 
At Olean Point, he planned to earn some money by going down The Allegany river 
on a raft. Engaging to work till the flood came, he broke his leg which 
prevented his going down The river. As soon as he was able to walk, he made his 
way eastward over The state road, which was then but little more than a log 
road, arriving in due time at what is now Cuba.

With rare good judgment, in one so young, he purchased the farm about a mile south 
of the village, where, with his own hands he felled the first tree, and plying 
himself diligently soon had a small clearing opened and a comfortable little log 
cabin erected.

Returning to the east, he at Butternuts, Otsego county, New York, married Miss 
Patience Brownell. The smoke from the chimney of the little cabin in the woods, 
soon gave notice that the young couple had taken possession, and were keeping 
house. Of this union came one son, Chauncey who died at the age of sixteen. In 
May 1850, Mrs. Johnson died, and on February 16, 1851, he married Miss Harriet 
Ayers of Cuba, by whom he had one child, Mrs. Helen P. Wasson, wife of E. G. 
Wasson of this place (Cuba), who still retains the old farm of more than two 
hundred acres. Soon after the marriage of his daughter which occurred in 1864, 
he purchased a good home in the village, where ever after resided, his death 
occurring Nov. 4, 1880.

Mr. Johnson was one of the four first elected Justices in the town [Cuba] and a 
glance at the pages of this book will show him as active in town affairs, one 
whom the people looked to for counsel and advice. He was for years vice 
president of the Cuba National Bank, a consistent and devoted member of the 
local lodge of F. & A.M., senior warden of Christ Church, to the building of 
which he was a liberal contributor. He was commissioned quartermaster of The 
home regiment of state militia, by Gov. Wright. It was a matter of tradition 
that Mr. Johnson brought in his first seed potatoes form Olean on his back.

[Source: Civic History and Illustrated Progress of Cuba, Allegany Co., N.Y. 1822-
1910, by John Stearns Minard, p. 50]


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