Ben H. Johnson

As printed in 1910

BEN H. JOHNSON (1865). One of the very earliest of the settlers of Jackson county who now reside in the county is B. H. Johnson, who lives a retired life in the village of Jackson. During the early days Mr. Johnson took an active interest in the affairs of the new county and participated in its organization.

Mr. Johnson was born in Plymouth, Litchfield county, Connecticut, August 1, 1834, the son of Louis and Nancy (Marsh) Johnson. He received a public and academic education in Watertown, Connecticut, and at the age of eighteen years came west and located in Baraboo, Wisconsin. He farmer in the vicinity of that town ten years and then enlisted in the army. The date of his enlistment was December 4, 1862. when he became a member of company F. of the Third Wisconsin cavalry. He served in the union army until September 29, 1865, when he was discharged at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

Immediately after his discharge Mr. Johnson returned to his old home in Baraboo. He immediately made preparations to seek a home in the new country of Jackson county, and on Christmas day, 1805, landed on the Des Moines river. He bought sixty acres of land, partly in Des Moines township and partly in Visrciii>iii township, and also filed a homestead claim to land in Wisconsin adjoining his sixty acres. His life during this pioneer period was full of hardships, as were those of nearly all the settlers of that day. In January, 1868, while he was away from home, his house and everything in it was destroyed by fire. Mr. Johnson and his family then moved into a little log house which was located on another part of his farm.

Until September, 1873, Mr. Johnson continued to farm in Jackson county. Then, on the fifteenth of the month, he set out with a team for Kansas to make his future home in that country. He located at Burr Oak. in Jewell count.y, bought an eighty acre farm near town, and engaged in agricultural pursuits about five years. He then moved to town and for about fifteen years was engaged in the drug business. He was street_ commissioner of the village for three years and during the rest of the time he was a resident of Burr Oak he lived a retired life. In 1903 Mr. Johnson returned to his old home in Jackson county, and since that time has made his home in Jackson.

Upon the organization of Jackson county in January, 1866, Mr. Johnson received the appointment of clerk of the district court and served until his successor was elected and qualified. As there were practically no duties to perform the office was a nominal one only. He was a member of the board of county commissioners in 1867 and 1808, and during those j'ears served as chairman of the board. He held the office of justice of the peace four years and was assessor in both Wisconsin and Des Moines townships. Mr. Johnson is a Mason and a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge.

Mr. Johnson has been married twice. His first marriage occurred at Reedsburg, Wiscojisin, November 9, 1859, when he wedded Emma T. Cornish. She died October 3, 1871, aged 29 years. To this union two children were born: Rollan W., born December 4, 1860; Irving v., born January 10, 1870. His second marriage occurred April 3, 1873, in Jackson, when he wedded Martha Moore. As a result of this marriage the following children were born: Louis L. and Lloyd W., twins, born October 6, 1879; Ethel W., born January 31, 1881; Gretla H., born May 16, 1886, died May 20, 1891; Alice C, born September 3, 1887.

As printed in An illustrated history of Jackson County, Minnesota (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.