The Johnson Families of Boone County, Iowa

For twenty-nine consecutive years William Johnson was successfully engaged in merchandising in Madrid, and was one of the leading representative men of that place. He passed away April 29, [902, and his death was mourned throughout the entire community, for he was a man who had endeared himself to his fellow men by reason of his possession of those sterling traits of character which in every country and every clime command respect. In his business affairs he was found to be reliable, just, accurate and diligent, and in social life his friendly interest in his fellow men. his genial manner and kindly disposition won for him the high regard of those with whom he came in contact. It is therefore proper that the sketch of his career should be given in a volume, the purpose of which is to preserve the history of the men who have taken a part in holding the progress, improvement and upbuilding of Boone ck county.

His name indicates his Swedish lineage. He was born in the kingdom of Sweden on the 1-t 1 >f June. 1830. and when a lad of fourteen years crossed the bring deep to the new world in company with his brother, arriving in August. 1852. They remained for some time in Xew York city and state, als. 1 residing for a time in Pennsylvania, during which period Mr. Johnson of this review worked as a farm hand. He had few advantages, educational or otherwise, in his youth. He early had to depend upon his own resources for a living, and whatever be achieved or gained in life was the result of his indefatigable efforts. In [859 he went to California, where he secured employment, and later he engaged in farming 011 rented land until he was enabled to purchase a farm of his own. He then operated his property until 1870. when he sold his possessions in the far west and came to Iowa, establishing his home in Polk county. He purchased a farm 111 Madison township, that county and continued its cultivation for four years, but in 1 S7 j he again sold out and in that year he came to Boone county, making his home in Madrid. 1 [ere he purchased an interest in an established general mercantile store, and as the warpassed built up an excellent trade. For twenty-nine years he was a representative of the mercantile intk this place. He carried a large and well selected stock of general goods, and his reasonable prices and his earnest desire to please, together with his trustworthy methods, se-

2_ cured to him a very desirable patronage. After residing in Madrid for a time he purchased a grx id business house and also erected a comfortable home and two other brick business blocks in this city. He likewise purchased and sold several other business houses and aided materially in the improvement of the town. His assistance was never sought in vain in behalf of any movement intended to promote the public welfare. When he came to America he was a poor hoy. with no capital and no influential friends to aid him, but he possessed energy, resolution and strong will, and these enabled him to meet business opportunities in a way to make them return to him a good income. He thereby accumulated a very desirable estate, a good home. and moreover he won an honored name in the land of his adoption.

Mr. Johnson was married in Boone county July 7, 1871, to Miss Anna Johnson, a native of Sweden, who came to America when a little maiden of twelve years, and was reared in this county. She was born December 12,1853, and is a daughter of Jonas and Josephine ( Barnquist ) Johnson. Her birth occurred in the town of Mjolby, Sweden, and there she pursued her studies until she attained the age of twelve years, when the family removed to America, settling at Swede Point. now Madrid, and it was here on the 7th of July, 1N71, that she gave her hand in marriage to William Johnson. Her parents are both dead, her father having passed away Feb. 1873. while her mother died on the 2ist of March. [902. They were residents of Madrid and were laid to rest in the cemetery of this place. They were the first passengers into Boone over the railroad, having come here in a freight car on the first train that entered the city. They left Sweden in the month of May and arrived at their destination in September. Two children blessed the union of William and Anna Johnson: Arthur, a young man. who assisted his father in the store; and Selma. at home. Mr. Johnson was a pronounced Republican in his political views, and when he became a naturalized citizen of America he cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, in 1860, and at each presidential election from that time until his death he supported the men and measures of the party, but was never an aspirant for office himself, his time and attention being occupied by his business affairs- He. He, however, served as a member of the town board, as town treasurer and as school treasurer for seventeen years. Both he and his wife were reared in the Lutheran faith and he adhered to the church of that denomination until his death. Mr. Johnson aided in building and supporting various churches, not only in Madrid but in the adjoining districts. He looked at life from a broad and practical standpoint and realized that there is nothing of true value in the world save character, and he so lived as to develop an upright, honorable manhood. He was known as a reliable merchant and a loyal citizen, a de\ 1 ted husband and father, as well as a consistent Christian man.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

ARTHUR T. JOHNSON.

Arthur T. Johnson, of Madrid, has been connected with the general merchandise and restaurant business but is now mostly engaged in looking after his extensive personal and business properties. Although quite a young man, he has already achieved remarkable success. He was born in Madrid, June 29, 1880, and has always been a resident of that city..

His parents were William and Anna ( Johnson ) Johnson, natives of Sweden, the former born June I, 1839, and the latter December 12, 1853. In August, 1852, the father came to America and made his home in New York and Pennsylvania for some time. From the latter state he made his way westward to Illinois and when the gold fever was at its height made the overland journey to California in 1859 with three other young men. Arriving in the Golden state, he at first rented land which he later bought. In 1870 lie retraced his steps and located in Polk county, Iowa. In 1874 he sold out there and removed to Madrid, where he successfully engaged in general merchandising for twenty-nine years. Not only was he one of the most substantial citizens of the community but also one of the most public-spirited business men always giving his support to such measures as promised of Ijenefit to the city. He died in Madrid, April 29, 1902. His wife came to America when about twelve years old, in 1865, her family locating at Swede Point. Her parents were the first passengers to arrive in Boone by the way of the Northwestern Railway. She was married to William Johnson in Boone county, July 7. 1871, and is now residing with her son, Arthur T. The old family home, where the parents first located, is still standing near Elk Rapids. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson had nine children, of whom Arthur T. of this review is the only one now surviving.

Arthur T. Johnson received excellent educational advantages, graduating from the Madrid high school with the class of 1898 and subsequently attending the Capital City Commercial College of Des Moines. He then engaged in general merchandising in Madrid, which city has been his home continuously with the exception of three years, during which he homesteaded in South Dakota. After giving up his general store he conducted a restaurant in Madrid until January 10, 1914. when he disposed of the establishment. He is now devoting his time to his many personal and business properties.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Fred Johnson, who is living on section 12, 1 douglas township, has become the owner of a valuable Farm of three hundred and twenty acres entirely as a result of his own enterprise, untiring energy and keen discrimination in business affairs, and his life onclusivelj how potent in America are industry and resolution in the gaining of success. Mr. Johnson is a native of Sweden, his birth having occurred there on the 29th nf April, [840. I te is a son of Andrew Johnson, who was also born in that land and after arriving at man's estate wedded Elizabeth Nelson, a native of the same country. The father followed farming in Sweden and three children, who are yet living, were born unto him and his wife there. In [85] he determined to seek a home in the new world and with his family crossed the Atlantic to New York, whence he proceeded at once westward by way of Chicago and Keokuk, Iowa, to Boone county, where he found some substantial friends.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Johnson was blessed with nine children, eight of whom arc yet living: John A., who is married and follows farming on his father's land; Charles G., who is married and lives in Denver, Colorado; C. Eddy, a young man at home: Oscar F.. who is married and is living on one of his father's farms; Anton S.. who is also married and lives on one of his father's farms; Selma. Mary and Clarence L.. all under the parental roof. They also lost one son. Arthur, who died at the age of nine years.

When Mr. Johnson attained his majority he became identified with the Republican party, for his consideration of the questions and issues of the day lead him to believe that the best interests of the country would be conserved through the adoption of Republican principles. He cast his first presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln in 1864 and has voted for each presidential nominee of the party since that time. He was elected and is now serving for his second year in lli- "Lire of township trustee. lie and his wife were reared in the Lutheran faith and hold membership relations with the Swedish Lutheran church of Madrid and aided liberally in the erection of the house of worship there. Mr. Johnson is deeply interested in every movement and measure calculated to prove of general good, and he is familiar with the history of upbuilding ii county through the past half century, lie has seen its pioneer conditions give way before the encroachments of civilization. He has seen the county crossed and re by a network of railroads, telegraph and telephone wires, has witnessed the introduction of many business enterprises, the establishment of towns and villages, while the wild lands have been made to bloom and blossom as the rose. man of unquestioned honor in business and loyalty in social circles, he has the confidence of friends and neighbors and well deserves representation in this volume.

a. h. McGregor.

A. M. McGregor is a prosperous farmer and stock breeder of Beaver township living on section 27. For a quarter of a century he has resided in Boone county, but many miles separate him from the place of his birth, which occurred in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, November 27, 1838. He is the eldest son of Duncan and Sarah Blackburn ) Md Iregor, both of Bedford county. Pennsylvania. In that county the) were reared and married, the wedding being celebrated in March. (838. For several years thereafter tin father carried on farming in that locality and on the 3d of May, (853, he removed with his family to Peoria, Illinois, living in that city for two years and then purchasing Mud in Princeville township, Pei rin count v. For thirty-four years he was a representative of the agricultural interests of that locality. His wife died on the Qtli of February, 1889, and in the spring of that year he gave up the old home farm and came to Boone county. Here he spent his remaining days, but he did not long survive the lady who had so long been his companion and helpmate on life's journey, for his death occurred on the 2d of December. 1890. In their Family were nine children. who are mentioned in the sketch of John Mck ircg.r on another page of this work.

In the usual manner of tanner lads A. 11. McGregor spent the days of his b and youth, and at the age of twenty-five years he left home to make his own way in the world. He entered upon his business career by renting a farm of his father, in Princeville township, Peoria comity. Illinois, and after two years he purchased that property, which he owned for four year-. He then sold out and invested in coal mines, opening up and operating mines for five years, in [877, however, he disposed of his business interests in Illinois and came to Boone county, Iowa, purchasing the farm upon which he has since resided, and here he has since lived with the exception of three years spent in Des Ah lines. Iowa, in order to better educate his children.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Oscar Johnson, a well known merchant of Ogden, is successfully engaged in business as a member of the firm of Johnson Brothers & Bailey, who conduct the only exclusive grocery store in the town. His birth occurred in Moingona, Boone county, Iowa, in October, 1873, his parents being Charles E. and Bessie Johnson, both of whom are natives of Sweden. The father emigrated to the United States in 1866 and made his way direct to this county, locating at Mineral Ridge, where he was employed on the railroad until 1873. In that year he bought a tract of eighty acres on Alarcy township and began improving the property, while subsequently he extended the boundaries of his farm by additional purchase until it embraced one hundred and twenty acres of valuable and productive land. He devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits with gratifying success until 1909, when he put aside the active work of the fields and erected a handsome residence in Ogden, where he has since lived in honorable retirement. The period of his residence in this county covers nearly a half century and he is widely recognized as one of its substantial and esteemed citizens. To him and his wife were born eleven children, five of whom still survive, namely: Robert, David E., Oscar, Harry and Ellen.

Oscar Johnson acquired his early education in his native town and subsequently pursued a commercial course in the Highland Park College of Des Moines. He then came to Ogden and here clerked in diiTerent stores for some time. In 1904 he embarked in business as a general merchant on his own account and at the end of six years opened a bakery and grocery establishment in partnership with his brother Harry. In 1912 they admitted H. L. Bailey to the firm, which has since been known as Johnson Brothers & Bailey, proprietors of the only exclusive grocery store in Ogden. They carry a large and well selected stock of staple and fancy groceries and are accorded an extensive patronage, enjoying an enviable reputation as reliable, enterprising and up-todate merchants.

In March, 1901, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Ogren, a daughter of A. G. and Anna Ogren, who were natives of Sweden. They emigrated to America in an early day and took up their above in Geneseo, Illinois. The father, a tailor by trade, subsequently came to Boone, Iowa, and was here engaged in business as a tailor for. a few years. The last years of his life were spent in Ogden, where he passed away in 1898, while his wife was called to her final rest in 1884..Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have one child, Beulah A., who is ten years of age.

In politics Mr. Johnson is a progressive, advocating the principles set forth by Theodore Roosevelt at the time of the birth of the party. He now serves as secretary of the local school board and the cause of education has ever found in him a stalwart champion. In religious faith he is a Methodist. He enjoys an extensive and favorable acquaintance in the county in which his entire life has been spent and has long been numbered among its prosperous and representative citizens.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

LEONARD E. JOHNSON.

Leonard E, Johnson is successfully engaged in the elevator business in Madrid and also handles Iowa and Illinois hard and soft coal. He was born in Sweden, September 16, 1864, and was brought to America by his parents, C. E. and Louisa (Bergreen) Johnson, in 1865, the family at first locating in Illinois, where they remained for six months. They then removed to Des ]Moines, Iowa, where they made their home for a similar length of time. At the end of that period they came to Swede point, Boone county, and settled in Douglas township in 1866, where they remained until 1876. when the father purchased land in (garden township, where he successfully followed agricultural pursuits until 1893. The parents were both born in Sweden, the father July 20, 1829, and the mother January 5, 1827. The father died in Madrid, November 28, 1902, after a long and successful career in this country. There his widow is still residing. Of their four sons two are living: Albert W., residing in Omaha, Nebraska; and Leonard E., of this review. Carl H. and Edward T. both died in infancy. The three elder children were born in Sweden, but Edward T. was a native of Boone county.

The>' attended the tzrYvex schools of the county, receiving most of their education in the Elk Rapids school

Leonz-td E. Johnson followed agricultural pursuits in early life. With the exception of about three years, which he spent in the Dakotas, he has been a continuous resident of Boone county. Upon his return to this state he followed various trades, being employed for five years in an implement store in Madrid. From 1910 to 1912 he was connected with the elevator in that city and in 1912 he purchased the pTOptrty in partnership with Carl Lundahl and is at present successfully ered in the elevator business. Thejbuy and sell grain and also deal in Iowa and Illinois coal and seeds. Mr. Johnson has proved himself a most able business man and has been stKxessful because he is up-to-date in his methods and always treats his customers with the greatest fairness and liberality. He has gained the confidence of all who have had business connections with him and his name stands high in commercial and financial circles.

In 18 Leonard E. Johnson married liss Amanda C. Lundahl, who was born in Douglas township, February 10, 1868. There she attended school and grew to womanhood. Both her parents, Andrew and Johanna Lundahl, passed away in Boone county. The>- were natives of Sweden and came to America in 1865, locating on a Douglas township farm. Thejwere among the pioneer settlers and the family was one of the most highly esteemed in the township. The father was most successful in his agricultural work and was considered a leader in instituting modern methods and trying out new ideas in farming. Mr. and Mrs. Lundahl had six children, as follows: Mrs. Westerberg, deceased; John C, residing in Madrid; Frederick, deceased; Frank, who resides in Canada; Wictor, of Garden township; and Mrs. Leonard E. Johnson. Mrs. Johnson was born in Boone county but her brothers and sisters were natives of Sweden.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

IRA D. JOHNSON.

In the death of Ira D. Johnson on the 20th of September, 1898, Boone mourned the loss of one of her valued and representative citizens, for his life exemplified the many sterling traits of manhood which in every land and clime awaken confidence and regard. He was born in Lawrence county, Missouri, August 12, 1870, and completed a high-school course at Henrietta, Texas. He also attended a business college at Jacksonville, Illinois, and thus qualified for onerous and responsible duties in later life. In the fall of 1890 he came to Boone and entered into partnership with his father, the late W. D. Johnson, in the coal business under the firm name of W. D. Johnson & Company. He devoted practically his entire attention to the coal trade and in that connection a big business was built up. He was also a stockholder in the Security Savings Bank, and his contemporaries and colleagues in business circles knew him to be a" thoroughly reliable and enterprising man.

On the 29th of October, 1890, in Illinois, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Johnson, a daughter of James and Martha (Adkins) Johnson, who were natives of Mason county, Illinois. James Johnson was a member of Company.M, Second Illinois Cavalry at the time of the Civil war, enlisting in 1862 and serving for three years. He became a commissioned officer, holding the rank of second lieutenant when nuislered out of the service. By occupation he was a farmer, devoting his entire life to general agricultural pursuits. The cause of temperance found in him a stalwart advocate and earnest worker, and his life was actuated by many high and many principles. His family numbered nine children, all of whom are yet living. Two of the sons are residents of Boone county — F. H., making his home in the city of Boone, while Edgar resides near Ogden. To Air. and Mrs. Ira D. Johnson were born three children: William D., who remains at home and is an automobile salesman; Lucile, who is attending Northwestern University at Evanston, Illinois, and Ethel Lorraine, who died when a baby.

Politically Mr. Johnson was a republican, although reared in the faith of the democratic party, to which his father gave his support. Fraternally he was connected with Boonesboro Lodge, No. 324, K. P., and his widow is a member of the Pythian Sisters. He died at the very early age of twenty-eight years, and the news of his demise was a shock to the entire community. He left behind him many friends, and his heritage to his family was not only a good property, but also that good name which is rather to be chosen than great riches. In action he was many and sincere, in spirit kindly, and one of his more pronounced characteristics was his devotion to his family.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.