On November 24, 1824, Gabriel “Gab” Johnson was born a slave in Pittsylvania County, Virginia. His first few years of life
was on Sulfur Springs Plantation owned by John Ward, Jr where he and his mother, Matilda lived.
Childless and unmarried, John Ward, Jr. chose to free all 134of his slaves upon his death in 1826. Forty-eight of those freed chose to moved to Lawrence County, Ohio. Gabriel and Matilda were two of them.
Gabriel would grow up to become a barber. He would later claim to be the first barber to shave a man in Lawrence County,Ohio. His first shop was located in Burlington, but he would have a shop in Ironton and Hanging Rock.
In September 2, 1849, Gabriel married Ritter “Ritta” Ann Roberson. They would have three children, Mary Jane, Florida,and Samuel. From 1854 to 1855, Gabriel was a conductor on the Underground Railroad. He operated mainly in Lawrence County,Ohio. Occasionally, he would partner with James Ditcher to help runaway slaves find free in the north. Gabriel and his wife were instrumental in the founding of Quinn Chapel. One of the churches stained glass windows honors their memory.