The Johnson Families of Henry County, Iowa

JAMES A. JOHNSON.

James A. Johnson, one of the early settlers of Des Moines county, Iowa, and now one of the prominent and highly respected and esteemed residents of Canaan township, Henry county, resides upon a farm of eighty acres on section 1, where he is living retired, enjoying the fruits and comforts of a well spent life. He is a native of Illinois and was born in Morgan county, June 26, 1828. His paternal grandfather. Craven Johnson, was born in one of the southern states and at an early day went to Tennessee. During the pioneer period of his residence there he had to contend with the hostile Indians of that region and the family were finally driven from the farm. With other neighbors they took refuge in the fort. For a long time they had to be guarded while they worked in the fields and Kinsey Johnson, a brother of Craven Johnson, was killed and scalped by Cherokee Indians while attending to his beaver traps. Craven Johnson finally came to Iowa and made his home with his son during his old age, passing away in Flint River township, when a little more than a hundred years of age, his remains being interred in Flint River cemetery.

His son, Joel Johnson, father of our subject, was born in Knox county, Tennessee, and was reared and married in that state, after which he removed to Alorgan county, IHinois, where he engaged in farming. Repurchased a tract of land there and resided thereon for nine years, after which he removed to Des Moines county, Iowa, setting on section 7, FHnt River township, where he purchased a farm, to which he added from time to time until he was the owner of four hundred acres of valuable farm land and harvested therefrom good crops. The year 1835 witnessed his arrival in Iowa. The land upon which he located was entirely wild and unbroken save that five acres had been placed under cultivation. He at once began to clear and develop the farm and made substantial improvements thereon, including the erection of a good two-story brick residence which he continued to occupy until his death. His attention was given to general farming and stock-raising to some extent until his life's labors were ended in death, although naturally in his later years he left the more arduous duties of the fields to others. He lacked only a few days of being ninety years of age when called to his final rest, passing away on the old homestead in April, 1890. He was a democrat throughout his entire life but though reared in a slave state he never owned a slave and always said that he never would. He took part in the Black Hawk war during the pioneer epoch in the middle west and remained with the army until the defeat of the Indian chieftain and his followers. His grave was also made in the cemetery in Flint River township. His wife, Mrs. Susan Johnson, was born in Alabama and died in Flint River township when her son,

James A., was only about fifteen years of age. She was the mother of seven children, three of whom are still living, although ]\Mr. Johnson of this review is the only one now living in Henry county.

In taking up the personal history of James A. Johnson we present to our readers the life record of one who is widely and favorably known in this part of the state. He was a young lad when his parents removed to Des Moines county, Iowa, and upon the home farm there he was reared, acquiring his education in the common schools of Flint River township, while in the summer months he assisted in the labors of the fields and in the autumn seasons aided in gathering the harvests. He remained upon the old homestead until about twenty-seven years of age, when he was married and purchased a small farm on section 21, Flint River township. He partially improved this place and made a home there, giving his attention to general agricultural pursuits for a number of years. He then removed to the place now owned by his father-in-law and resided thereon until coming to Henry county in 1892, in which year he purchased his present farm just a half mile north of the village of Mount Union. Here he has since lived engaged in general farming and stock-raising to some extent, largely making a specialty of hogs. He has put many improvements on the place and takes great pride in keeping everything about his farm in excellent condition. It is in fact in many respects a nitxlel property, while the buildings are in an excellent state of repair. He now leaves the active work of the farm to others.

while he is enjoying a well earned rest amid the comforts and conveniences of life, which he has secured as the result of his active, well directed and untiring labor in former years.

Mr. Johnson was married on the 28th of May, 1856, to Miss Dicy Feese. who was born in 1835 and came with her parents to Iowa at an early day, the family being established in Flint River township, Des Moines county. She was a daughter of David and Lucinda (Hill) Feese, both of whom are now deceased. Her father was a prominent agriculturist of Flint River township, where he arrived about 1835, making his home there until his death. Mrs. Johnson was educated in Flint River township in the common schools and passed away on the home farm in Canaan township, Henry county. September 28, 1903, at the age of sixty-eight years. She was a member of the Baptist church and is buried in Trinity church cemetery in Canaan township, Henry county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were born nine children, of whom two died young. The others are as follows: Carrie resides in San Francisco, California. Alma is the wife of Albert De Lashmutt, who is mentioned on another page of this volume; Emma is the widow of John Hitchen, resides in Burlington, New Jersey, and has two children, Thomas and John. Charles is a traveling salesman residing in California and married M3a-tle Erickson. Edwin, a farmer of Washington township, Des Moines county, where he owns one hundred and forty acres of good land, married Anna Wick and has two children. Rex and Adelbert. Lillian and Idella are both at home. All of the children of this family were born in Des Moines county and were educated in the public schools of Flint River township.

In his political views Mr. Johnson has always been an earnest democrat but has never cared for public office, devoting his attention strictly to his business interests. At the time of the Civil war he enlisted in Octol)er, 1864, as a member of Company E, Fifteenth Regiment of Iowa Infantry, and served until the close of hostilities, being discharged at Davenport, where he was mustered out. He went with Sherman on the celebrated march to the sea and participated in other important military movements. He has always been interested in matters of progressive citizenship although never seeking public honors for himself and he has stood for progress and improvement. His entire life has been passed in this section of the state and he has reached the seventy-eighth milestone on life's journey, so that he has been a witness of almost the entire development, growth and improvement of Des Moines and Henry counties. In his interests he has been closely allied with agricultural life and has found therein a good basis for success, winning through his close application, unfaltering diligence and business integrity a very gratifying measure of prosperity.

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

The Swedish element is an important one in our American citizenship. The sons of Sweden have come to the new world and have readily adapted themselves to altered conditions and surroundings, manifesting at the same time the unfaltering industry and perseverance which have ever been characteristic of the race. Thus they have become prosperous citizens of the various communities in which they have resided and at the same time they are most loyal to their adopted country.

To this class of men Albert Johnson belongs. He was born in Sweden on the 25th of March. 1843, "1 is a son of Elof Johnson, who died in Sweden when Albert Johnson was but an infant. The mother afterward came with her family to the new world, making her way to Jefferson county, Iowa, and there the subject of this review was reared and educated, pursuing his studies in the public schools. In 1862 he enlisted in Company H, 30th Iowa Infantry, and served to the close of the war and was honorably discharged at Washington, D. C. He took part in several of the important battles of the war. He continued to reside in Jeft'person county until about 1873. when he removed to Henry county and here purchased sixty-five acres of land. The farm had been enclosed on two sides by a fence and there was an old house upon the place, but this constituted all of the improvements. ]\Mr. Johnson tore down the house and purchased a little house which he removed to his place, living for some years in that home. In the meantime his labors had brought to him increased capital and he afterward built a new house of five rooms. He has also added many other modern improvements, building a horse and hay barn and a shed for cattle forty by forty feet. He also has a good granary, chicken house and other buildings on his place and his land has been brought to a productive condition by tiling. The fields are now under a high state of cultivation and he annually harvests good crops as the result of the care and labor which he bestow upon his jDlace.

April 18th, 1874, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Annie Jacobson, who was born in Sweden and came to the United States about 1865. This marriage has been blessed with one son, Henry Lyman, who was born in 1877 and lives at home. He was carefully trained to farm work and now tills the fields, thus relieving his father of much labor, so that Mr. Johnson has done little active farm work in several years. In his political views he is a stalwart republican. Ijut without aspiration for office. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Swedish Lutheran church. Having been brought to Iowa in early boyhood days by his mother, he has since spent his years in Jefferson and Henry counties and has been a witness of the growth and progress of this section of the state for about a half century. Great changes have occurred during this time and he has contributed to the general agricultural development, his labors being the source of a gratifying measure of success which he is today enjoying.

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

Andrew Johnson, a contracting mason who is conducting a good business with offices and works located near the railroad station in the Codner building, in New London, is a native of Sweden, born on the 1 2th of January, 1850. His father was John Peterson, who in early manhood wedded Alary Swanson. They remained residents of Sweden and in that country Andrew Johnson of this review was reared and educated, attending the public schools. He came to America in 1870. when a young man of twenty years, believing that he might enjoy better business opportunities in the new world. He landed in Burlington on the 12th of January, of that year, and having no capital, it was necessary that he immediately secure employment. He worked as a common laborer for a year or more, after which he learned the mason's trade, with the firm of Pestorius & Yager, of Burlington. He continued his residence in that city until 1878, when he removed to Pleasant Grove township, Des Moines county, and bought forty acres of land from Jacob Anderson, making his home thereon for two years. He then put buildings upon this place and partially improved it, after which he sold the property to a Mr. Nelson, and in the fall of 1880 came to New London, where he began business on his own account as a mason contractor. He has since followed the business and has secured a liberal patronage, many important contracts being awarded him for the erection of substantial structures in this city. In 1905 he also began contracting in cement work, doing block work, building sidewalks, in fact, executing all kinds of work in cement. He had laid the foundations for most of the best buildings of New London and is a thorough and competent mechanic in his line, having a knowledge of the actual work of his chosen vocation, and at the same time thoroughly understanding the scientific principles which underlie the builder's art.

In the fall of 1870 Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Johanna Anderson, and they became the parents of five children. Hulda, the eldest, married Magnus Wigert, and after his death became the wife of Ed Shafer, her home being now in Burlington. Charles is living in New London and works with his father. Frank is employed as a cook on a train and lives in Chicago. Gilbert makes his home in New London. John is residing in Chicago. On the 25th of

December, 1885, Mr. Johnson was again married, his second union being with Carolina Carlson, a daughter of Carl and Anna (Peterson) Carlson. There are four children of this marriage, Walter, Albert, Mabel and Clifford, all at home. In 1903 Mr. Johnson purchased his present property of Mrs. Stetter, after selling his former residence across the road to D. W. Hodson. He had purchased this in 1900 from Isaac Featerman. In his religious faith Mr. Johnson is connected with the Swedish Lutheran church while politically he is independent. Fraternally he is associated with New London Lodge of Masons, and with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at New London, having passed all of the chairs in lodge No. 56. He has led an active life in which untiring labor has been crowned with success. He has worked energetically and persistently year after year, and though he started out in life empty-handed, he is now numbered among the substantial citizens of New London, having ever displayed the sterling characteristics of the Swedish race: unfaltering industry, adaptability and unswerving integrity.

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

CHARLES THEODORE JOHNSON.

Charles Theodore Johnson, interested in general farming and stock-raising in Scott township, is a native of Galesburg. Illinois, born on the 7th of December. 1869. His father, J. W. Johnson, was

;62 born in Sweden and coming to America in early life was married in Galesburg, Illinois, to Miss Clara Nelson, also a native of Sweden. He was employed as a deliveryman there until 1875, when he removed to Henry county, Iowa, and purchased eighty acres of land on section 30, Scott township. To that place he removed in the following spring, finding it improved with an old frame one-story house and a shed stable. Since then many modern improvements and equipments have been added. A frame barn, thirty-six by thirty-four feet, has been built for the shelter of horses and cattle. There is a corn crib, eight by thirty-two feet, and about four hundred rods of tiling have been laid. The house is a two-story structure of six rooms and the farm is also supplied with good modern machinery to facilitate the work of the fields. J. W. Johnson owes his success entirely to his own efforts, for when he started out in life on his own account his capital was limited and he had to depend entirely upon his own labors for all that he possessed or enjoyed. He worked energetically and diligently, however, and as the years passed by became the owner of a good farm property, while his labors were crowned with a comfortable competence resulting from his capable management and unremitting diligence. His death occurred February 4, 1892. and he is still survived by his wife, who yet resides upon the old homestead. In their family were four children: Emma, Charles T. and Ella, all yet at home; and Ida, who was the second daughter and died at the age of twenty-five years, after having become the wife of Andrew Seaburs:.

Charles Theodore Johnson was reared upon the old family homestead, to which he removed with his parents when about five years of age. He was a student in the public schools, mastering the branches of learning that fitted him for the discharge of the practical business duties. Through the periods of vacation he was trained in the work of the fields and since his father's death he has conducted the home farm, being the only son. He now carries on general agricultural pursuits and the well tilled fields give promise of golden harvests. He raises horses, cattle and hogs and everything about his place is kept in excellent condition, showing that his methods are practical as well as progressive.

On the 25th of February, 1902, Mr. Johnson was married to Miss Jennie Ball, a native of this county, and a daughter of William and Dorcas (Patterson) Ball. Both Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have long been residents of this community and have gained many friends by reason of the display of those sterling traits of character which in every land and clime command respect and regard. He holds membership in the Swedish Lutheran church and politically is a republican.

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