The Johnson Families of Clay County, Iowa

Martin Johnson, now retired after many years of unwearied efforts as an agriculturist and carriage maker, a man held in high respect for his industry and excellent qualities of character, was born in Denmark, February 13, 1844, a son of Johannes and Carrie Mary (Tidman) Johnson. His father was a carpenter and cabinet maker, who spent his entire life in his native land, where he passed away in 1908. His mother, also a native of Denmark, there departed this life when Martin Johnson was but thirteen years of age. In the family were but two children, namely, Martin and Hans Peter, the latter now residing in Minnesota. The elder Mr. Johnson was twice united in marriage, the second time to Dorothy Nelson, by whom he reared four children, only two surviving, namely, James, who is an agriculturist, operating a large farm near Enwood, this state, and Christ, who is living on a farm east of Spencer.

In the common schools of his native land Martin Johnson acquired his early education and when fourteen years of age was apprenticed for a period of four and a half years to a carriage maker. Having learned that trade, he followed the occupation as a journeyman until he was twenty-one years of age, and in the year 1867 came to the United States, locating in Waupun, Wisconsin, where he became employed in a carriage shop. He remained at Waupun four years, at the expiration of which time he came to this county. Upon his arrival here he found it very difficult to get a start, as at that time he had but one horse. But eventually, having raised a colt, he traded same for a cow and one year later traded his horses for a yoke of oxen, and with this team he at once began to break the raw prairie and put it into a fit state for cultivation. He was handicapped in many ways, as there was a great deal of sickness in the family as well as other reverses, which made it seem almost impossible to attain any headway. However, he plodded along with perseverance and patience, applying his energies to hard work, and finally succeeded in overcoming all difficulties, mounting above discouragements and transforming the raw prairie country into an excellent state of cultivation, from which he has since reaped harvests which have grandly repaid him for the labors of his earlier years. He owns the eastern half of section i8 and also eighty acres of section 17, all of which is highly improved property, and his farm is provided with an elegant residence,, outbuildings, machinery and all conveniences necessary to make agriculture a paying business. Aside from engaging in general husbandry, he also pays some attention to stock raising and does quite a shipping business in the better breeds of cattle, sheep and hogs. While Mr. Johnson takes a deep interest in every department of his farm, being careful to always keep his buildings in excellent condition and his property neatly and substantially fenced, yet he takes particular pride in his town residence, to which he has given much thought and attention and which is considered one of the finest and most comfortable dwelling houses in Royal.

In 1873 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Hendrickson, a resident of this county, by whom he has had two children, namely, Emma, wife of Peter Sondergarth. who owns a fine farm on section 17 in Lincoln township, and William, who is an agriculturist, owning section 18 in that place. In politics Mr. Johnson is a republican and although he is not an active politician, he keeps abreast of the times regarding the paramount issues before the country and is always ready with his vote and influence to do what he can to secure the election of the candidates of his party. He is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in Wisconsin, and belongs to the Lutheran church, where he regularly attends divine services. Mr. Johnson is well known throughout the township as a good and industrious man, enjoying the confidence and respect of his neighbors, and for the past two years he has been living in retirement in his elegant residence in the village of Royal, where he is spending his declining years in the enjoyment of the fruits of his long season of honest and successful labor.

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

Henry Johnson is the owner of an excellent farm in Lincoln township and also considerable property in Royal, where he makes his home. He was born in Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, October 13, 1868, and is a son of Frank and Caroline (Hanson) Johnson. The parents were natives of Denmark and, crossing the Atlantic, became residents of Wisconsin at an early period in the development of that state. Twenty-four years ago they removed to Iowa and have since been residents of Clay county, where for a long period the father followed farming. He is now living retired, and his wife also survives. They were the parents of seven children: Peter, who died in 1888; Henry, of this review; Emma; William B., living on the old homestead in Lincoln township; Martin, who is engaged in the hardware business in Montana; Martha, now in Chicago, Illinois; and Frank, a grain merchant at Tolley, North Dakota.

At the usual age Henry Johnsonbegan his education by becoming a student in the district schools of Wisconsin. His training at farm labor was not meager, for at an early age he began work in the fields and soon became familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. He remained on the home farm with his father until he reached the age of twenty-five years and then began farming on his own account in Lincoln township. He still owns a valuable tract of land of three hundred and twenty acres on sections 5, 7 and 8, Lincoln township. This was partially improved when it came into his possession and he continued the work of further development and progress, making it an attractive property, from which he annually derives a substantial income. He owns his residence and one adjoining in Royal, also the business block now occupied by the Wilson Drug Company, the firm of Jones & Anderson and the opera house. He is a man of resourceful business ability, who carefully formulates his plans and is determined and resolute in their execution. His business methods will bear the closest scrutiny and investigation and his well known business probity has gained for him the respect of all.

]Mr. Johnson was married in 1902 to Miss Anna Sherman, a resident of Clay county, and they have many friends in Royal and this part of the state. His political views are in harmony with the principles of democracy, while fraternally he is connected with the Yeomen. Much of his life has been spent in Clay county, where he has a wide acquaintance and is favorably known.

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

James Johnson, owner of a neat and carefully cultivated farm on section 18. Lone Tree township, his home being not far from the village of Moneta, has been a witness of the growth and development of the county for thirty-six years, as his residence in this part of the tate (late from 1873. '" born in Dennark. March i. 1848, and remained a resident of his native land until after he had attained his majority. His educational opportunities were very Hmited. but reading, experience and observation have made him a well informed man since he attained his majority. He came to the new world as a young man of twenty years, sailing from Liverpool to Portland, ZNLiine. He did not harry in New England, however, but made his way directly westward to Brandon, Wisconsin. He' was unaccompanied by friend or relative and he brought no capital with him into the new world save his self-reliant spirit and commendable ambition. It was imperative that he obtain immediate employment and he went to work on a farm, where he remained through the summer, while in the winter seasons he was employed in the pineries. Subsequently he removed to the lumber regions of Michigan, settling at Ludington, where he worked in a sawmill one season. He then returned to Wisconsin and felt that his business prospects justified him in establishing a home of his own.

It was in the Beaver state, in the spring of 1872, that Mr. Johnson was married to liss Anna Anderson, a native of Denmark, who came to the new world* with her parents. In 1873 the young couple removed westward to Clay county, Iowa, which was then a frontier district, in which comparatively few settlements had been made, while many evidences of frontier life were here to be seen. Mr. Johnson first purchased eighty acres of land and the pioneer home was a little sod house in which they lived for eight years. It contained little beyond the necessities of life, but Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were willing to undergo hardships and privations, for eventually they might gain prosperity. With characteristic energy Mr. Johnson gave his attention to the arduous task of breaking the sod and bringing the fields into a state of rich fertility. It meant much hard labor but he did not walter and as prosperity attended him in the course of time he was able to purchase an additional tract of eighty acres adjoining the first purchase. This he also improved and still later he bought one hundred and sixty acres on section 20. Lone Tree township. On the home farm he set out a grove and also planted an orchard. Through the work of such men as Mr. Johnson this district of the county no longer deserves its appellation of Lone Tree township, for on almost every farm are now seen many fine trees, representing every kind of forest growth native to the state. Mr. Johnson has made many improvements on his place in other ways, including the erection of a large and attractive residence. He has also put up a big barn and cattle shed and now has a neat place on which none of the accessories of a model farm property is lacking.

Unto Mr. and ]Mrs. Johnson were born three sons and two daughters: Andrew \A' who is married and cultivates his father's second farm; Henry, who resides in Roberts county. South Dakota, on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres which his father owns there; jNIartin, who is the owner of six hundred and forty acres of land which he homesteaded in Nebraska; Minnie, the wife 01 M. R. Proctor, of Los Angeles, California, and Hannah, who is in Nebraska with her brother and also owns six hundred and forty acres adjoining his land.

The parents are members of the Seventh Day Adventist church and Mr. Johnson gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is conversant with the leading issues of the day. He has served as road supervisor and also as a member of the village board and is a man of strict integrity and worth, who has the confidence and regard of the entire community. As one of the early settlers of the county he justly deserves mention in this volume, for he has done an important work in advancing its present development, especially along agricultural lines.

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