Johnson Oatman, Jr.

Short Name: Johnson Oatman, Jr.
Full Name: Oatman, Johnson, Jr.
Birth Year: 1856
Death Year: 1922

Johnson Oatman, Jr. was born on April 21, 1856, near Medford, New Jersey, to Johnson and Rachel Ann Oatman. His father was an accomplished singer, and young Johnson often sat by his side, absorbing the songs of the church.

Oatman received his education at Herbert's Academy, Princeton, N.J., and the New Jersey Collegiate Institute, Bordentown, N.J. At nineteen, he joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, and later received a license to preach, eventually being ordained by Bishop Merrill, though he served primarily as a local preacher.

He worked with his father in the mercantile business under the firm Johnson Oatman & Son in Lumberton, N.J. After his father’s death, Oatman spent fifteen years in the life insurance business, managing operations for a major company in Mt. Holly, N.J., where he lived.

Oatman was a prolific hymnwriter, composing over 3,000 hymns. His works have been widely included in gospel songbooks, making him a central figure in American hymnody. In 1878, he married Wilhelmina Reid, and they had three children: Rachel, Miriam, and Percy.

He passed away in 1922, leaving a lasting legacy in Christian music and hymn writing.