The Johnson Families of Des Moines County, Iowa

E. W. JOHNSON.

E. W. Johnson, postmaster of West Burlington, Iowa, a position which he has filled with honor and efficiency for a long term of years, is a representative of one of the older families of Des Moines county. He is the son of William Ferdinand Johnson, who was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, the son of Joshua and Sarah (Burbridge) Johnson. The father of our subject passed his early years in his native State, later, however, removing to Virginia, where he wedded Miss Isabel Parrott; and shortly after this event they decided to cast the hazard of their fortunes in the then new and undeveloped country known as the West. Pursuant to this project, they emigrated to Iowa, locating in Des Moines county, and in the year 1836 took up their residence in Flint River township, where, in association with his brother Washington, William Ferdinand Johnson entered a tract of government land, and this he owned during the remainder of his life. He was the father of ten children, whose names in the order of birth are as follows: Sarah Louisa, Luther B., Anna R., William R., John, Edgar W., Denton, Christopher, Susan B., and Mattie. The mother of this family died in 1863, and later Mr. Johnson remarried, his second union being. -with Miss Mary E. Burk; but of this marriage no children were born. As a man of public spirit he was an active worker in the ranks of the Republican party, and was an earnest and constant supporter of the cause of temperance, for which he accomplished much in the course of his long and useful life. At the same time his adherence to the principles of right in all fields of human relationship caused him to take a deep interest in the cause of the church, he being a devout believe in the doctrines of Christianity and a helpful member of the Methodist Episcopal denomination. He appreciated the privileges of independence and freedom which belong to a frontiersman's life, and was known far and wide as a skilful woodman and hunter, a character in which he formed relations of intimacy and friendship with all ranks and conditions of people throughout a large extent of territory, being everywhere honored for the simple and rugged virtues of his mode of life and thought. On the other hand his own home was always the scene of a large and lavish hospitality, for his disposition was preeminently social and charitable.

Edgar W. Johnson, the subject of this review, traces his lineage to a remote period in the past, and through his material great-grandmother Brown, whose maiden name was Ball, enjoys a not distant relationship with George Washington, father of American liberty. He is a native of Lincoln county, Missouri, of which place his parents were temporary residents during a period of two years, and there he was born Jan. 16, 1849, returning with his parents to Des Moines county, Iowa, where he received a good education in the public schools, as well as an excellent home training in the lessons of agricultural industry and in the principles of the religious faith of his parents. On leaving school he took up farming as a regular occupation, and this he pursued with great success for about twenty years: but in 1889 he sold his farm interests and removed to West Burlington, where he engaged in mercantile business, in which he has ever since continued: and in this latter work he has also reaped the full reward of industry, ability, and the conscien- BIOGRAPHICAL RliVIFAV tious application of his powers to the work in hand. His political faith is that of the Republican party, and as a reward for his valuable services to that organization he was appointed in iScjo to the office of postmaster of the villa,'e nmiir the administration of President llarriscm. was reappointed under the administration of President McKinley, and has since continued to occupy the positicjn to the general satisfaction of the comnumity, giving to its duties the same careful attention and wise oversight that have made him so successful in his private business. Mr. Johnson was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth J. Inghram, daughter of John and Sarah.\nn (Delashmann) Inghram. and to tluin have been born three daughters and one son, all of whom are residents of West Burlington, as follows: Grace, wife of A. L'. Winkler; Edna, wife of John Peoples; Mattie, wife of George C. Scholes; and Horace, who wedded Miss Agnes Johnson, l-'raternally Mr. Johnson enjoys desirable connections, being a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, through all the chairs of which latter organization he has passed; and politically he is known throughout Dcs Moines county as one of the leading Republicans of this section, while his high personal character has won a place for him in the esteem of his friends and the general public which is indeed enviable.

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

FRANK ALFRED JOHNSON.

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.Mr. Johnson was married April 15, (. his bride being.Miss Hclda Swanson. [rs. Johnson claims Sweden as the land of her nativity, having been born in that country Oct. 26. 1H77, the daughter of Gustav.Adol] anil Charlotte (Strand).Swanson. Mrs.

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

AUGUST H. JOHNSON.

August H. Johnson, engaged in the manufacture of tile in Mediapolis, in which connection he conducts one of the important productive industries of the city, was born in Sweden, December 9, 1847, a son of John and Helena (Olson) Johnson, who spent their entire lives upon a farm in Sweden. The father died when their son August was but seven years of age, after which the mother continued to conduct the farm with the aid of her elder sons. In the family were four boys and four girls. Three of the number came to the United States: Charles; August H.; and Matilda, the wife of Erland Norman, of Mediapolis.

It was in 1868 that August H. Johnson crossed the Atlantic. He arrived in Burlington on the ist of September of that year and has since resided in this county, covering a period of almost a half century. He had learned the stonemason's trade in his native land and he followed that pursuit after his arrival in Iowa, devoting about twenty years to the business. In 1886 he built his present tile factory and has since been engaged in the manufacture of tile, conducting one of the important business interests of his town. He started in a small way with one kiln but now has three kilns and the output is six hundred thousand tile annually. The plant includes a dry house twenty-four by seventy feet and three stories in height, which was erected in 191 1. The old part of the dry house has twelve thousand seven hundred and forty-four square feet of floor space. In 1910 Mr. Johnson admitted his sons to a partnership. They manufacture all sizes of tile up to twelve inches and sell mostly to the local trade. Their business has now reached gratifying proportions and its success is attributable to the close application, careful management and sound business judgment of its founder and promoter.

In 1899 Mr. Johnson personally erected a brick residence in Mediapolis from brick which he had manufactured, so that he is literally the builder of his own home. He owns twenty-five acres within the corporation limits of the town. He has erected a number of dwellings, from which he derives a good rental and he is now engaged in building another brick house. He is also a stockholder in both banks of Mediapolis and is regarded as a representative business man.

In Burlington, on the lath of March, 1873, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Augusta Nelson, who was born in Sweden in 1 85 1 and was brought to Iowa in 1868 by her parents, Magnus and Christina Nelson, who settled in Huron township, Des Moines county, and spent their remaining days upon their farm in that locality. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have become the parents of live children: Ellen, who is now in Chicago; Amanda, the wife of F. H. Liker, of Sigourney, Iowa; Esther, at home; and Martin and Emanuel, who are partners of their father in the tile-manufacturing business.

Mr. Johnson is a republican, voting always for the men and measures of the party because he believes that its principles contain the

:i59 best elements of good government. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church. At different times he has served as a member of the school board until his connection therewith covers many years and at the present time he is one of the incumbents in that office. He came to this county empty-handed, actuated by a desire to utilize and enjoy broader business opportunities, and by reason of his persistency of purpose and well formulated plans he has gained a creditable place in manufacturing circles and in the conduct of his business affairs has contributed also to the material upbuilding of the community in which he lives.

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

Charles Johnson, who has figured in business circles in Des Moines county as a stone-mason contractor, and also in connection with general agricultural pursuits, now resides in Yellow Springs township, having since 1882 made his home on a farm on Section 31. He was born in Sweden, Oct. 16, 1839, his parents being John and Anna (Olson) Johnson, who were also natives of that country.

Our subject pursued his education in the public schools of Sweden, and after putting aside his text-books learned the stone-mason's trade, which he has since followed. He worked there for a number of years, but thinking there was little opportunity for business advancement or the acquirement of a competence, he determined to try his fortune in America, and in 1869 sailed for the New World.

He made his way at once to Burlington, Iowa, and continued to reside in that city until 1882, when he bought a farm of thirty acres in Section 31, Yellow Springs township, from John L. Thomas. He has since made his home on this place, but much of his attention has been given to contracting as a stone-mason. He has done considerable work of this character in Des Moines county, and is considered a good mechanic. He has also followed general farming since locating at his present home, and has put all of the improvements upon his place, where he now has an attractive residence. His unfaltering industry and unabating energy are well-known characteristics of his business career, and have been the basis of all the success he has enjoyed.

On April 21, 1867, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Eva Anderson, a daughter of Andrus Olson and Sarah Anderson. Mrs. Johnson was also born in Sweden, and came to America with her husband. They crossed the Atlantic to New York City, and made their way westward by rail to Chicago, and from that place continued their journey to Burlington. They have since lived in Des Moines county", and have now a wide and favorable acquaintance within its borders.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Johnson has been blessed with seven children: Amanda, born Sept. 8, 1868, is now the widow of Oxel Lawson, of Burlington; Ellen, born June 1, 1871, is now engaged in dressmaking in California; Sophia, born April 8, 1784, is the wife of Geest Nelson of IMediapolis; Minnie, born Nov. 8, 1877, is the wife of Charles Linn; Susie, born Nov. 20, 1883, is the wife of Fred Mester, of Burlington; Charles, born Jan. 25, 1881, and Emma, born Jan. 5, 1886, are at home.

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

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He followed the tailor's trade with

> much success in Sweden till June 26, 1869, when he came to the city of Burlington, where he remained for one year. He then took up his residence in Mediapolis, and the following year bought ninety-three acres of land in Section 33 of Mr. John Herman. Mr. Johnson paid sixty-five dollars an acre for his farm, and has from time to time added the necessary Ijuildings for a home and the protection of his grain and stock. His land is well drained with tile, and being furnished with all kinds of modern farm machinery, Mr. Johnson obtains good results for his labor. Besides farming all of his own place he rents one hundred and sixty acres from ]\Mr. Archer, thus making over two hundred and fifty acres to care for. He uses fifteen head of horses in working this large farm.

April I, 1870, Mr. Johnson became the husband of Miss Sophia Swanson, who was born in Sweden, April 21, 1846, and is a daughter of Swain and Anna Lena (Magneson) Swanson. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have been born the following nine children: Charles Emil, lived in Oklahoma City, Ind., T., for seven years, working as a carpenter, then went to Okmulgee, Ind. T., and leased a farm for five years, and died Sept. 1, 1905, aged thirty-five years, three months, and three days; Emma Cecilia, married John Hartman, and resides in Washington township; Edward John, lives at home; Anna Marie, now Mrs. Harry George Armstrong, lives in Griswold, Iowa; Theodore Andy, at home; Ellen; Iatilda, the wife of August Emanuel, of Yellow Springs township; Anna Amelia with her parents; Francis Victor and Rosa Helena, both at home.

Politically, Mr. Johnson has given his allegiance to the Republican party, voting first for U. S. Grant, and has been a school director and the honored president of the board for the past five years. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are devoted members of the Swedish Lutheran church, and are loyal to any effort that will promote the spread of Christianity. He has taken much interest in the improvement of the township and county, and has ever rejoiced in the prosperity of his friends. Mr. Johnson has the respect and admiration of all who know him.

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

DR. G. J. JOHNSON.

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Rev. George J. Johnson was born at Trenton Falls. V., Oct. 9, 1824. He was educated in a school at Madison, now Colgate University, N. Y. He received his license to preach in his native place, and during his college days supplied the village church for months at a time. It was also in Trenton Falls that he was ordained, soon after which he came to Burlington, in 1848. as a missionary from the Baptist Home Mission Society. Here he established a church of twelve members, in an Upper room on Third Street. He soon built and paid for a respectable house of worship, and was prominently connected with the school known as the Burlington Institute, raising much of the money necessary for this school, and being a member of the financial executive board for many years.

After a pastorate of ten years in Burlington, Rev. Johnson went to Fort Madison, Iowa, where lie also assisted in the organization of a church, and served as its ])astor for five years, during which time he led the pe()i)le in the Iniildiiig of a good house of worship. Returning to Burlington, he served as district secretary of the American Baptist Publication

Society, for the field of the entire West, with headquarters at Burlington and Chicago.

In five years his district was changed to the southwest of the country, with headquarters in St. Louis. During the next two years he resided near Alton, Ill., and led in a campaign for the raising of one hundred thousand dollars for Shurtleff College. The next six years he was stationed at the city of Philadelphia, as the missionary secretary and Bible secretary of the Publication Society, making eighteen and a half years in all that he served this society. During this time he also preached, even more than when a regular pastor.

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Dr. Johnson had the pleasure of dedicating over one hundred church edifices in the different States and Territories, and baptized over eight hundred persons into new life. He certain) raised over one million dollars for various churches, schools, and missionary work. Ho never full recovered his health, and at last.

after months of patient waiting, God spoke the word, July 7, 1902, in St. Louis, Mo. The servant answered, and he was with God.

We would like to write more of his masterful ministerial labors, covering a period of over half a century, of his turning thousands to a life of righteousness, leading many young men to the ministry, building churches, endowing colleges, etc., and hold up his life more fully to the Aoung as an example, but this brief record forbids, so we will add a few notes of his happy domestic life.

Dr. Johnson became the husband of Maria Louisa Nickerson in 1850, in Caz- €nova, N. Y. Her father was a Baptist clergyman of western New York. Unto Dr. and Mrs. Johnson six children were born: Emma E. is the wife of Alexander E. Forbes, of St. Louis, Mo.; James Nickerson died Aug, 7, 1869; George Thomas became the husband of Miss Helen R. Forbes, of Alton, Ill., and died Nov. 19, 1892; Sarah M. resides with her sister, Mrs. Forbes; Kendall Warren married Miss Nellie Colwell, of Chicago; and Gove Griffith became the husband of Miss May F. Russell, of Hamilton, N. Y. The latter is a Baptist minister of marked ability.

It is impossible to speak adequately of the excellent traits which characterized Mrs. Johnson as a mother, a minister's wife, and a Christian. She had most winning natural traits, both of character and person, and under the sanctifying touch of the spirit, became one of the saintliest of women. On Sunday morning, Dec. 25, 1898, at her home in St. Louis, she received a loving invitation from her Lord to spend that Christmas day with Him in glory. She was ready to accept the invitation; her work was done; her "wedding garment" was prepared, and so she went where two of her sons had gone before her, mourned by hundreds of friends in each of the many cities which had been her home during the forty-eight years she had been the faithful and loving wife of Dr. Johnson.

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

V. A. JOHNSON.

V. A. Johnson, cashier of the West Burlington Savings Bank, has in this connection been closely identified with the financial interests of the city for about eight years. At the outset of his business career he learned how indispensable are the qualities of industry, perseverance and close application, and in the utilization of these he has worked his way steadily upward. He was born in this city Match 13, 1863, a son of Augustus and Matilda (Peterson) Johnson, both of whom were natives of Sweden. The year 1850 witnessed their arrival in Burlington, in which city they were married. The father was a contractor and builder, and in the early days was thus identified with the industrial activity of the city, but in later life followed farming and is now living retired. He has long survived his wife, who passed away in 1868. They had five children, as follows: Jennie M., at home; F. E., who follows farming near Burlington; V. A., of this review; Annie M., who is the wife of Robert L. Russell and resides in Kansas; and Samuel W. G. who makes his home in Burlington, Iowa.

V. A. Johnson acquired a public-school education, supplemented by a course in Elliott's Business College, from which he was graduated, and in the Iowa Commercial Institute, of Davenport, of which he is also a graduate. He started out in the business world in April, 1887, when a young man of twenty-four years, being made a member of the office force of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. There he continued until January 2, 1907, gradually working his way upward, his ability winning him promotion from time to time until his position was one of prominence and importance. At the date mentioned, however, he became one of the organizers of the West Burlington Savings Bank, which was formed by Colonel G. H. Higbee, who became president; Dr. E. E. Kirkendall, who was elected vice president, and Mr. Johnson, who became the cashier. The first directors were G. H. Higbee, J. A. Carney, George W. Scholes, Paul R. Ramp, E. E. Kirkendall, P. B. Smith, A. A. Bosch, F. J. Riling and C. H. Walsh. There has been no change in the directorate, save that C. H. Wuellner has taken the place of J. A. Carney, and Paul R. Ramp has been succeeded by J. L. B. Graham. The officers of the company, however, remain the same. The bank has been capitalized for twenty-five thousand dollars and has deposits amounting to two hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars. The company has erected and paid for its building at No. 101 Broadway, in West Burlington. This is exclusively a bank building.

On the 19th of December, 1889, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Annie W. Hewitt, of West Burlington, her parents being George and Elizabeth Hewitt. To them have been born seven children, five of whom survive, as follows: Grace M., who gave her hand in marriage to Herman Beck, an agriculturist residing near Burlington; and Eva G., Georgia E., Florence and Chester C, all at home. The children have been given liberal educational advantages. Several are high-school graduates and Mrs.

Beck was for three years a teacher. The daughter Florence is now engaged in teaching, and two of the family are now clerking in Burlington.

Mr. Johnson is well known in fraternal circles, holding membership with the Knights of Pythias, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Woodmen of the World, and the Moose. Aside from his business, however, he has been most prominent in political circles and is a recognized leader in the ranks of the republican party. For four years he served as mayor of West Burlington, was town clerk for nine years and has been secretary of the school board since 1891. There has been no (]question as to his fidelity to duty nor his capability in office. Public interests have been furthered through his efforts, and progress has been promoted in many directions. He stands at all times for advancement, and his activities have been of far-reaching effect and benefit in Burlington. Moreover, his business career is indicative of what may be accomplished when energy and determination point out the way, and when there is ready discrimination between the essential and the non-essential.

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

HARRY JOHNSON, of Burlington, is proprietor of the well-known job printing house at No. 115 Jefferson street, where he does a general job and book printing business, making a specialty of catalogue work. He h.as several steam-power presses and an office well equipped for all work in his line.

This business was established by the subject of this sketch in 1881, since which time he has published the Burlington Star, a weekly society paper, which he conducted during 1884-85. He also established the Morning Herald, a daily paper, which he published but a short time, and then sold out. He now devotes his attention strictly to job and book work, gives employment to from fourteen to eighteen hands, and is doing a safe and prosperous business.

Mr. Johnson was born in Burlington, Iowa, April

21, 1863, and is the son of G. H. and Carrie (Franken) Johnson, who are still residents of this cit. His father was born in New York City, and was of Swedish parentage. His mother was born in Sweden, and emigrated to America in childhood. Harry was educated in the public schools of his native city. In 1881, when but nineteen years old, lie started a small job office, employing a good practical printer as foreman. He learned the printer's trade in his own office. When twenty-one years old, Oct. 1, 1883, he was appointed Observer of the United States Signal Corps, stationed at Burlington, which position he held four j'ears and until the station was discontinued.

At the same time young Johnson was conducting his printing-office, and publishing newspapers. When starting in business he was uniformly spoken of as "the boy printer." He began without capital or assistance of any kind, relying on his own energy and ability to carry him through. That he has succeeded so well is due to his perseverance and industry, as well as to his other natural capacities. He is a Republican in politics, and a member of the Royal Arcanum.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.