August H. Johnson

As printed in 1915

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

HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY: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 History of Des Moines County, Iowa (1915). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.