John Calhoun Johnson (c. 1822 - September 13, 1876) was a native of Deersville, Ohio, who practiced law and operated a ranch in California.
Shortly after arriving the first time, he returned to the Midwest, where he enlightened several friends and counterparts as to the land, beauty, and opportunities awaiting them out west in the new frontier.
The ranch and surrounding 320-acre (1.3 km2) land-hold steadily became an encampment and safe-haven for immigrants, emigrants, soldiers, and prospectors who came across the passes.
The ranch also served as a way station for thousands of emigrants crossing the Sierra Nevada via Johnson's Pass nearby Echo Summit; it contained a general store noted as being "as fair as any store in Placerville," and hotel for 14 other non-family permanent residents.
Rogers came west on the disastrous Pioneer Line of 1849 with other 'gentlemen' that did not want to try their hand at the trip encumbered with a wagon or pack animals."
Johnson served in the California Militia during the El Dorado Indian Wars of 1850-51, earning his declared title of Colonel.
One-account states: "…he failed to file papers to keep his homestead in the Placerville area and he traveled with his son George and two other unknown men to Arizona to establish another ranching enterprise in 1876."