The Johnson Families of Winneshiek County, Iowa

Peter Johnson is at the head of the firm of Peter Johnson & Sons of Decorah, which conducts one of the largest establishments of the kind in this part of the country, doing a heating and plumbing as well as general machine business and also operating a garage. His birth occurred in Hadeland, Norway, in March, 1848, his father being John Peterson, likewise a native of that place. The latter, being confronted and best by hardships, determined to seek a home in the new world of promise and accordingly emigrated to the United States with his wife and two sons, Peter and Andrew. The family located near Koshkonong, Wisconsin, in 1852. where they remained for several years, Mr. Peterson being employed as a farm hand. In 1858 they went to Black Earth, Wisconsin, making the removal with a team of oxen. Mr. Peterson there entered land and began clearing and improving the property, to the cultivation of which he devoted his attention throughout the remainder of his life.

Peter Johnson, who was four years of age when brought by his parents to the United States, learned the blacksmith's trade in Wisconsin as soon as his age and strength permitted. He served as foreman of the Mandt Manufacturing Company for several years and subsequently came to Decorah, Winneshiek county, Iowa, here working at his trade in the employ of the Decorah Manufacturing Company for some time. He then formed a partnership with a Mr. Obon and for about live years was engaged in business as the junior member of the firm of Olson & Johnson. On selling out to Mr. Olson he established the enterprise which he now conducts and has since carried on a heating, plumbing and general machine business, operates a garage and also an automobile repair shop. The establishment is one of the largest of its kind in this part of the country and is equipped with all the latest and most modern machinery, while employment is furnished to fourteen men. In 1901 Mr. Johnson admitted his stepson, Oscar, to a partnership and in June, 1912, his sons, George and Melvin, became members of the firm, which was incorporated under the name of Peter Johnson & Sons. The gentleman at its head possesses splendid executive ability and sound judgment and the success which has attended his efforts is well merited.

Mr. Johnson has been married twice. He first wedded Miss Emma Simley, who passed away in 1887, leaving the following children: George W.. Melvin, Alma, Nora, Ida, Isaac and Otis. For his second wife Mr. Johnson those Mrs. Mary Bander. He owns a handsome residence at No. 714 McLane street. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Yeomen, while his religious faith is that of the Lutheran church.

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

Gustave Johnson makes his home an section 21, Glenwood township, where he owns and operates a tract of land of one hundred and forty-seven acres. He began farming twenty-six years ago, previous to which time he had been identified with journalistic and publishing interests. He started out in life on his own account when but twelve years of age and whatever success he has achieved has come to him as the merited reward of his industry, perseverance and capable management. He was born near Christiania, Norway, October 18, 1855. and is a son of Andrew and Anna Johnson, who in the year 1864 crossed the Atlantic and became residents of Madison, Wisconsin, where their remaining days were passed. The father was a merchant tailor and conducted a store in Madison, also owning a farm near that city. He likewise was the leader of two bands in Madison, the Lake City Cornet Band and the Governor's Guard Band. In early life he had spent four years in Berlin as a musician and had led bands in Norway. He possessed much natural musical talent which he cultivated through continuous study and practice. He was married in Norway and in that country three of his children were born two of whom died in Norway in early life. Four others born in the United States who have passed away are: Julia, who died in Chicago in 1912; Emma and Clara, who died of diphtheria when sixteen and eighteen years of age respectively; and Carl, a jeweler who died at the age of twenty-one years. The surviving members of the family are Gustave and Mrs. Bertha Muggy, of Seattle, Washington.

Gustave Johnson resided with his parents in Wisconsin until fifteen years of age but in the meantime began earning his living as an employe in a printing house. He worked on Norwegian papers in Madison and at Marshall, Wisconsin, and remained in the newspaper field for twenty years, being employed in several states, including Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota. He also worked for nine years in a publishing house in Decorah but twenty-six years ago turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits, settling on his present farm of one hundred and forty-seven acres on section 21, Glenwood township. It is an excellent property and most of the improvements have been made by him. He makes stock-raising the principal feature of the place, feeding all of the grain raised to his stock. He has led a busy and useful life and his success is the legitimate outcome of his earnest and intelligently directed labors.

In 1881 Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Henrietta Sander, who was born in Winneshiek county in 1861, a daughter of Brede B. and Karen Sander, who were natives of Norway and came to the United States in 185 1, arriving in Winneshiek county when Decorah contained but three houses. They continued to reside upon the farm in this county throughout their remaining days- The mother, who was born January jo, iSji. died in Madison township, August 2, 1868. The father, who was born January 12, 1822, passed away October 9, 1905. He was a pioneer farmer of both Iowa and Dakota. He entered land here when Winneshiek county was upon the frontier and afterward secured claims in Dakota, but later returned to this county where he continued to reside until called to his final rest. It was in 1871 that he took up his above upon the farm which is now owned and occupied by Mr. Johnson. Mr. and Mrs. Sander were the parents of seven children: Jane, the wife of C. M. Hanson, of Lincoln township; Brede, who died in South Dakota; Anton, who won the degree of Ph. D. and was a professor in the Flushing Institute of New York but is now deceased; Anna, the wife of Rev. C. N. Peterson, of Hibbing, Minnesota: Ellen, the widow of O. E. Bakke, of Frankville township; Henrietta, now Mrs. Johnson; and Bernt, of Glenwood township.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have been born nine children: George, who was an electrical engineer but is now deceased; Charles; Emma, the wife of C. D. Hexom, of Allamakee county; Mabel, who died at the age of ten years; Lily; Esther; Anna; William; and Arthur.

Mr. Johnson has been quite prominent in local affairs and his influence is ever on the side of right, progress and improvement. For the past sixteen years he has served as township clerk and for many years was president of the township school board. For a decade he has been the president of the Glenwood Farmers Telephone Company and in this and other directions has aided in the material development of the district. Moral progress is also a matter of interest to him as is indicated by the fact that he was secretary of the First Lutheran Church of Glenwood for eleven years and has been treasurer for the past six years. His political allegiance was formerly given to the republican party but he is now allied with the progressives. He believes in advancement in all things, political as well as otherwise, and his progressive spirit is manifest in what he has accomplished in the business world, working his way steadily upward from the age of twelve years.

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

ARTHUR RAYMOND JOHNSON.

Arthur Raymond Johnson, one of the prominent and successful young citizens of Decorah, is an active factor in financial circles as assistant cashier of the Decorah State Bank. His birth occurred in Decorah on the 28th of September, 1887, his parents being H. Paul and Rachel (Olsen) Johnson, both of whom were natives of Norway, the former born on the 16th of January, 1847, and the latter on the 5th of March, 1849. H. Paul Johnson was but a little lad of four years when in 1 85 1 he was brought to the United States by his parents, who purchased land and located near the Locust church in Pleasant township, Winneshiek county, Iowa. As soon as his age and strength permitted he began assisting his father in the work of the home farm and when twenty-five years of age purchased the property, continuing its operation for seven years more. In 1880 he came to Decorah and established a harness store, being still engaged in its conduct at the time of his death, which occurred on the 9th of September, 1912. lie served as a trustee in the First Evangelical Lutheran church, to which his widow still belongs. For one term he held the office of constable in Pleasant township. Mr. Johnson also belonged to the Sons of Veterans. The period of his residence in Winneshiek county covered more than six decades and he enjoyed an extensive and favorable acquaintance within its borders. It was on the loth of May, 1973. in Pleasant township, that he wedded Miss Rachel Olsen, her father being Asbjorn Olsen, an agriculturist of that township. She was brought to America in 1850, when but a year old, and in 1855 ner father purchased land and located in Pleasant township, this county. After the demise of Mr. Olsen his widow made her home with her daughter. Mrs. Johnson, for three years, passing away in Decorah in 1906. Mrs. Rachel Johnson, who still resides in Decorah with her son Arthur, is well known and highly esteemed throughout the community.

Arthur Raymond Johnson obtained his early education in the public schools of Decorah and also attended Yalder's Business College at that place. He subsequently spent two years as a student in Luther College of Decorah and then went to Burlington. Iowa, as order clerk in a wholesale harness and saddlery concern, remaining in that position for two years. Returning to Decorah, he spent a similar period as a clerk in the store of O. M. Anderson, a dealer in men's furnishings. Mr. Johnson then went to Canada and for three years served as bookkeeper in the yards of the Baker, Reynolds & Kimball Lumber Company. In February, 191 2, he again returned to Decorah and accepted a position as bookkeeper in the Decorah State Bank, serving in that capacity until January, 1913, when he was elected assistant cashier, which position he now holds. He is a stockholder in the institution and has already proven himself a competent and valuable official.

In politics Mr. Johnson is a republican, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Evangelical Lutheran church. He also belongs to Decorah Lodge, No. 443, B. P. O. E., Decorah Camp of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Woodmen of the World. Though still young in years, he has already attained an enviable place in business and social circles of his native city and county.

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