The "other" Orange Johnson

“Orange ” was a more common name in the 1800s than it is today. At that time, there were at least 3 “Orange Johnsons” (unrelated to each other) living in Ohio; two in Worthington!

Buried in Walnut Grove is a different Orange Johnson than the one who lived in the large brick house that is now the Society's museum at North Street and High Street. The Orange Johnson buried here was born in 1842, in Knox County. He served in the 65th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and re-enlisted in the army remaining almost until the end of the Civil War. On April 15, 1865, he is listed as having deserted, and was given a dishonorable discharge. This was reversed in 1888. (He had probably become separated from his unit, couldn’t find them and joined another unit for the remainder of the war. To become separated from your unit during battle was a common problem during the Civil War.) He spent the remainder of his life with his wife, Mary Jane who went by "Jennie", living in Sharon Township as a farm laborer. Both Orange and Jennie have government issued stones that were available to veterans and their spouses. They also both have the medallions indicating they were members of the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) for veterans who served in the Civil War and their spouses.

In addition to two Orange Johnsons in Worthington, there was also an Orville Johnson, who went by Dr. O. Johnson. Orville was active with the school board and was a practicing physician in the second half of the 1800s in Worthington. He too is buried here at Walnut Grove.

From Stop 3 to Stop 4, continue on Maple where the Griswold monument is the tall obelisk visible off the path in the middle of the section.