by Karen Yvonne Hamilton, 2025

John Verta JOHNSON was born on February 27, 1841, in Key West, Florida, to George Joseph JOHNSON (1787-1860) and Rebecca STIRRUP (1801-1875). His grandfather, George JOHNSON was a wrecker in the Bahamas.

According to his obituary in the Key West Citizen, “John Verta was a prominent sponge merchant in Key West. He was identified with the growth and development of the city, and it was through his efforts and good example that many of the older institutions of the island were established and kept alive. He was one of the first members of the First Baptist Church of the city and gave his best endeavors to its great work. He was the first Odd Fellow initiated on the island and was for a long time an enthusiastic member of Key West Lodge No. 13.  Most of Mr. Johnson’s life was spent in business in Key West.

“For many years he was the only sponge merchant and the vast quantities of sponge that were shipped from this point passed through his hands. It was due to the efforts of Mr. Johnson, more than anyone else, that the sponge industry of Florida was developed and made famous. He afterwards engaged in general mercantile lines until he retired, owing to ill health.

“Mr. Johnson was of that old and sturdy stock from which come pioneers, indeed he was a pioneer himself, in his early days Key West was a wilderness. Only a small portion of the island around Front and Whitehead Streets being cleared and inhabited. He was a devoted Christian, a good citizen, a loving husband, a tender and painstaking father, and a man of unimpeachable integrity. “

1888 Key West City Directory

He married Sophia Lavinia KNOWLES. Sophia’s sister, Sarah KNOWLES married John Verta’s brother, Robert William JOHNSON.

CHILDREN (list may be incomplete)

  • John William was born on September 7, 1863
  • Thurston Ellsworth was born on September 25, 1865
  • Louis Marrington was born on January 6, 1868
  • Clauderly Clarence was born on February 22, 1870
  • Albert Victor was born on February 27, 1872
  • Eugene O was born on November 24, 1873
  • Clara Belle was born on May 30, 1876
  • Walter Otto was born on May 21, 1878
  • Jeanette ‘Nettie’ Bertha was born on October 3, 1879
  • Rosetta May was born on July 16, 1886

Sophia and John lost several children at very young ages. Albert Victor passed away on June 24, 1873 when he was 1 year old. Clauderly Clarence passed away on January 19, 1875 at the age of 4. Clara Belle passed away on May 9, 1878 when she was 1 year old. Eugene O passed away on March 13, 1904 at the age of 30.

SOPHIA KNOWLES JOHNSON
JOHN WILLIAM JOHNSON
NETTIE JOHNSON with her husband and sons.

John Verta died on September 16, 1910, in his hometown at the age of 69, and was buried there.

Full Obituary in the Key West Citizen, 1910

transcribed by Jane Garcia Rowland as given to by Sue Berry.

(NOTE on date of death: John Verta’s gravestone says September 16. The Key West Citizen obit says September 14. I am still working to verify actual date of death. Karen Y Hamilton, 2025)

Another of the landmarks of Key West was removed from us on 14th of September 1910. John Verta Johnson died at his home on Simonton Street in this city. He was one of the oldest citizens of the state and was the oldest native of the island. He was born in Key West on January 10th 1832 and lived here all of his life. He was identified with the growth and development of the city, and it was through his efforts and good example that many of the older institutions of the island were established and kept alive. He was one of the first members of the First Baptist Church of the city and gave his best endeavors to its great work. He was the first Odd Fellow initiated on the island and was for a long time an enthusiastic member of Key West Lodge No. 13.  Most of Mr Johnson’s life was spent in business in Key West.

For many years he was the only sponge merchant and the vast quantities of sponge that were shipped from this point passed through his hands. It was due to the efforts of Mr Johnson, more than anyone else, that the sponge industry of Florida was developed and made famous. He afterwards engaged in general mercantile lines until he retired, owing to ill health.

Mr. Johnson was of that old and sturdy stock from which come pioneers, indeed he was a pioneer himself, in his early days Key West was a wilderness. Only a small portion of the island around Front and Whitehead Streets being cleared and inhabited. He was a devoted Christian, a good citizen, a loving husband, a tender and painstaking father, and a man of unimpeachable integrity. He leaves to mourn his loss Sophia L. Johnson, his widow, and the following sons and daughters: J. W, Johnson, Louis M. Johnson, and Walter O. Johnson of Key West, and Thurston E. Johnson of Tampa, and Mrs Jeanette B. Burgert and Rosetta M. Hoffman of Key West. 

SOURCES

Ancestry.com; Key West Citizen, Obituary, 1910; Memories of Elaine JOHNSON as told to Jane GARCIA Rowland, 1982; Rerick, Rowland. Memoirs of Florida (in Two Volumes), Vol. 2. The Southern Historical Association, 1902; Research notes Jane GARCIA Rowland; United States Federal Census Records.

NOTE: Any corrections and/or additional info or photos would be appreciated.

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