John M. Johnson, local historian and author, is well known for his interest in the Civil War and he has written several articles about that era as well as books of that time period: The Lead, Salt, & The Railroad, July 18, 1863, Toland's Raid on Wytheville, and Wythe County, Virginia, During the War Between the State, 1861 - 1865.One of his special interests is in locating hundreds of burial places for the African-American citizens of Wythe County. His discovery of the Freedmen's Bureau records and the publication of that information, Records of the Freedmen's Bureau in Wythe County, Virginia, added a very important part to local history. His research is well documented and is on going.Johnson retired as First Sergeant from the US Army and National Guard. He was a photographer for the 24th Infantry Division and is noted for his musical ability with the saxophone. He retired from Lightning Mixer Company Incorporated, where he was a manufacturing engineer.

During the Bicentennial of Wythe County, he served as chairman of the reenactment of the Civil War "Battle of the Cove." He is an Honorary Lifetime Member of the Wythe County Historical Society.Johnson was also instrumental in bringing the African American Training School to the attention of local and state officials, and he held office on the board as information was added to the collection of documents outlining its special history. He often gives programs of interest concerning the Black community of Wythe County and other historical subjects.The Town of Wytheville honored him by placing his name on its Wythe Wall of Honor in Withers Park. In 2019 he was designated Citizen of the Year by the Wytheville-Wythe-Bland Chamber of Commerce.