 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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