Albert Johnson

As printed in 1906

ALBERT JOHNSON.

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 Biographical review of Henry County, Iowa, containing biographical and genealogical sketches of many of the prominent citizens of to-day and also of the past .. (1906). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.