John Johnson was born in Seaton Delaval, Northumberland in 1831 and died after 1901. His father was also called John Johnson, as was his eldest son.

He married Margaret Potts of Cramlington (daughter of Robert Potts) on 9 Jan 1858 in Gateshead. He may have remarried after 1901.

Together he and Margaret had nine children of which Joseph Johnson was the youngest.

John Johnson was the great grandfather of Keith Drinnan Mahan.