Carl Frederick Johnson

As printed in 1910

CARL FREDERICK JOHNSON.

A finely improved farm of eighty acres located in Weller township is the home of Carl Frederick Johnson, who was born in Collamerlane, Smoland, Sweden, September 10, 1840, a son of Jacob and Lena Johnson, who were likewise native of that country and there spent their entire lives, the former passing away in April, 1888. The mother is also deceased.

Carl Frederick Johnson was reared in his native country and was there educated in the public schools. After starting out upon an independent business venture he worked at farm labor and also for some time in a stone quarry. He remained in Sweden until twenty-nine years of age, when, foreseeing no future there and having heard favorable reports concerning the opportunities to be enjoyed in the new world, he accordingly set sail for America in 1869, arriving at his destination — Bishop Hill — on the ist of May of that year. A little later, however, he continued his journey to Iowa and for a year worked on the railroad. He then returned to Bishop Hill and for two years was employed at farm labor near this place. During these years he carefully saved his earnings for his one ambition was to engage in business on his own account. To this end he then rented sixty acres of land lying northeast of Bishop Hill and to its cultivation gave his attention for six years. Through this means he gained his real start in life. In 1878 he possessed a sum of money that justified his purchase of land and accordingly he became the owner of forty acres, which constitutes a portion of his present home place. The tract at that time bore little resemblance to its present condition. When he bought it was covered with timber. Mr. Johnson in due time had this cleared off and he then erected a good house, barn and other outbuildings, divided his land into fields by building fences, and through modern methods of farming placed his land in a cultivable state. In a few years he was able to purchase forty acres more and he now owns eighty acres. He has added to his residence, which is now one of the fine country homes of his section of the county. For thirty-two years he was actively identified with farming interests, his main crops being corn and

As printed in History of Henry County, Illinois (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.