He was born in 1816/17. [source: date: 3 (44 in 1861)]
On 29 August 1860, he married Ellen Ryan, in Frankford, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They were married by Alderman Joseph Comly. She was born in Ireland, in May 1844, perhaps to [unknown] and Catharine [unknown family name]. They had no children. [sources: 10, 11, 12, 13, 14]
He was living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, when he was enlisted; [sources: date: 3 (44 in 1861)]
He enlisted and was mustered into service on 21 October 1861. He enlisted at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. On 3 December 1861, he was mustered in as a private, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a private in company K. [sources: 1, 3, 10, 15, 16, 17]
He was transferred from company K to company D on 24 December 1861. [sources: 1, 3, 5, 10 (4 Dec)]
He was killed on 3 May 1863 at Chancellorsville, Virginia. John Hamill later certified that men from the 91st saw him in hospital at Chancellorsville, wounded and a prisoner. He was a private, in company D. [sources: 1, 2, 3 (missing in action, supposed dead), 8 (missing), 9 (missing), 10 (missing), 15, 16, 17]
On 21 September 1863, his widow, Ellen Johnson, applied successfully for a pension from Pennsylvania. Her post office address was Frankford, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. John Hamill certified the relevant facts about Johnson's service and death. Her application was accepted on 16 November 1864, and a certificate dated 19 November 1864 was issued. She initially received $8 per month, retroactive to 3 May 1863. [sources: 6, 7, 10]
In 1870, she may be the Ellen Ryan living with Catharine, Mary, and John, in ward 23, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was working at a factory. [source: 12]
In 1880, she may be the Ellen Johnson who was living at 4814 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was living with her mother Catharine Ryan and her sister Mary Ryan. She was a washer. [source: 13]
On 13 April 1894, Ellen Johnson's pension was increased to $12 per month, retroactive to 19 March 1886. [source: 10]
In 1890, his widow, Ellen Johnson, was living at 4337 Tacawanna Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania [source: 4]
In 1900, she may be the Helen Johnson who was living at 4250 Paul Street, ward 23, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was living with her sister Mary Ryan. She was a housekeeper. [source: 14]
On 24 February 1905, his widow, Ellen Johnson, died, at 4343 [?] Leiper [?] Street, ward 23, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She died of heart disease. On 28 February 1905, she was buried, at New Cathedral Cemetery. [sources: 10, 11]
1 Bates, Samuel Penniman. History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5. Harrisburg: B. Singerly, state printer, 1869-71. 5 volumes. 'Ninety-first regiment', volume 3, pages 186-233. (In the roster)
2 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 7 May 1863 (Joseph Johnson)
3 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 9 August 2004 (Joseph Johnson)
4 1890 US census, veterans schedule, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 496, page 1 (image 1093 on Ancestry), line 1 (Joseph Johnson)
5 company K, list of men transferred, #6 (Joseph Johnson)
6 pension index, by name (Joseph Johnson)
7 pension index, by regiment (Joseph Johnson)
8 'The ninety-first Pennsylvania volunteers', Philadelphia Press, Wednesday 13 May 1863, page 2 (Joseph Johnson)
9 'The Ninety-first Pennsylvania at Chancellorville', Philadelphia Inquirer 13 May 1863, page 8 (Joseph Johnson)
10 widow's pension certificate file, National Archives and Records Administration, record group 15, certificate WC 34,233 (Ellen Johnson, widow of Joseph Johnson)
11 death certificate, Philadelphia Pennsylvania, 24 February 1905 (Ellen Johnson)
12 1870 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 23, district 74, microfilm series M593, film 1410, page 47 recto = 93 handwritten (Ellen Ryan [sic])
13 1880 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, enumeration district 470, microfilm series T9, film 1182, page 146 = 15 C handwritten (FamilySearch) (Ellen Johnson)
14 1900 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 23, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 517, microfilm series T623, film 1464, page 161 = 10 B handwritten (Helen Johnson)
15 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Joseph Johnston)
16 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Joseph Johnson)
17 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Joseph Johson)
| line | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| Dwelling-house number | 714 | |||
| Family number | 712 | |||
| Name | Ryan Cathr | - Mary | - Ellen | - John |
| Age | 60 | 34 | 32 | 30 |
| Sex | F | F | F | M |
| Color | W | W | W | W |
| Occupation | Keep house | Work at fac | Work at fac | Com laborer |
| Real estate value | ||||
| Personal estate value | ||||
| Birthplace | Ireland | Ireland | Ireland | Ireland |
| Father foreign born | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Mother foreign born | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Birth month if born within year | ||||
| Marriage month if married within year | ||||
| Attended school past year | ||||
| Can't read | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Can't write | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. | ||||
| Male US citizen at least 21 years old | ||||
| Male US citizen at least 21 years old who can't vote ... |
| line | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| street name | [Cherry Street] | ||
| house number | 4814 | ||
| dwelling visit # | 127 | ||
| family visit # | 133 | ||
| name | Ryan Catharine | Mary | Johnson Ellen |
| color | W | W | W |
| sex | F | F | F |
| age | 71 | 37 | 36 |
| month born if born in year | |||
| relationship | Mother | Daughter | Daughter |
| single | 1 | ||
| married | |||
| widowed/divorced | 1 | 1 | |
| married during year | |||
| occupation | Housekeeping | Works in Cotton Mill | Washer |
| months unemployed | |||
| currently ill? | [illegible] + deafness | ||
| blind | |||
| deaf/dumb | |||
| idiotic | |||
| insane | |||
| disabled | 1 | ||
| school this year | |||
| can't read | |||
| can't write | |||
| birthplace | Ireland | Ireland | Ireland |
| father's birthplace | Ireland | Ireland | Ireland |
| mother's birthplace | Ireland | Ireland | Ireland |
| line | 88 | 89 |
| street | Paul Street | |
| house number | 4250 | |
| dwelling number | 209 | |
| family number | 211 | |
| name | Johnson Helen | Ryan Mary |
| relationship | Head | Sister |
| color | W | W |
| sex | F | F |
| birth date | May 1844 | May 1839 |
| age | 56 | 61 |
| married? | M | S |
| # years married | 40 | |
| mother of how many children? | 0 | |
| # of children living | 0 | |
| birthplace | Ireland | Ireland |
| father's birthplace | Ireland | Ireland |
| mother's birthplace | Ireland | Ireland |
| immigration year | [blank] | [blank] |
| # years in USA | [blank] | [blank] |
| naturalized citizen? | [blank] | [blank] |
| occupation | Housekeeper | Servant |
| # months not employed | 0 | 0 |
| # months in school | ||
| can read | No | Yes [?] |
| can write | No | Yes |
| speaks English | Yes | Yes |
| owned/rented | R | |
| free or mortgaged | ||
| farm/house | H | |
| # of farm schedule | ||