Phillips University has donated an early portrait of nineteenth-century Stone-Campbell leader and evangelist John T. Johnson to the Historical Society. Best known for his successful efforts to help bring Stone's Christians and Campbell's Disciples together, Johnson was present at the momentous meeting in 1832 in Georgetown, Kentucky where the two groups united.

A fine oil painting by an unknown artist, the portrait depicts Johnson as a young man and was probably completed in the late 1820s. Most familiar likenesses of Johnson show him in his middle and later years. The painting will be cleaned and restored by a professional conservator and afterwards will be placed on temporary display at the Society. It will then be stored in our secure, temperature- and humidity-controlled vault.

John Telemachus Johnson (1788-1856) was one of the founders of Bacon College in Georgetown, Kentucky, generally believed to be the first Disciples college, established in 1836. At different times in his ministry he served as editor or co-editor of The Christian Messenger, The Gospel Advocate, and The Christian. An active evangelist, he preached in many states and was particularly active in Kentucky.

Johnson, a lawyer, served five terms in the Kentucky State Legislature and was elected to the United States Congress in 1821, where he served as a Jacksonian Democrat for one term. He was appointed judge of the Court of Appeals in 1826. As a very young man Johnson was an aide to General William Henry Harrison (later president of the United States) in the War of 1812. His brother, Richard M. Johnson, was vice-president during the Van Buren administration.

We are indeed grateful to Phillips University for entrusting this priceless artifact to our care, where it will be preserved for the inspiration of generations to come. And many thanks to Donald Angle for personally delivering the painting to our door.