Elmer A. Johnson

As printed in 1911

ELMER A. JOHNSON

Elmer A. Johnson, attorney at law of Lisbon, is actively connected with a profession which has important bearing upon the progress and stable prosperity of any section or community, and one which has long been considered as conserving the public welfare by furthering the ends of justice and maintaining individual rights. He is one of Wisconsin's contribution to the citizenship of Iowa, his birth occurring at Warnerville on the 29th of November, 1871, a son of John and Kate (Burke) Johnson. The father was born in Norchopping, Sweden, on the 17th of October, 1843, and in the schools of his native country acquired his education. When a young man of eighteen years he decided to test the truth of the rumors which had reached him concerning the opportunities offered in the new world for advancement in business, and so, crossing the Atlantic in a sailing vessel, he landed in New York in 1859. Continuing his journey westward to Illinois, he located near Joliet, where he remained for a time, and later removed to Wisconsin, making his home at Warnerville. Devoting his energies to the occupation of farming, he remained a resident of the Badger state for a number of years, and in 1877, after making his home in Pittsville for a time, he removed to Iowa where, in 1897, he passed away on a farm near Chester. While residing in Warnerville he had married Miss Kate Burke, who was born in New York, near the city of Rome, on the 4th of October, 1847, and survives her husband, making her home at Chester, Iowa. In their family were three children: Birdie, who in 1892 became the wife of W. A. Nye, of Salem, South Dakota, and passed away December 19, 1905; Elmer A., of this review; and Dr. N. W. Johnson, a practicing physician of Quasqueton, Iowa. Mrs. Johnson is a daughter of Michael and Mary (Kelly) Burke, natives of Ireland, whence they came to the United States in 1843, settling first in New York. Later they removed to Wisconsin, taking up their above near Warnerville, where their remaining days were spent. In their family were ten children.

Elmer A. Johnson was a little lad of five years when his parents left Wisconsin, accompanying them on their removal to Howard county, Iowa. There upon a farm his boyhood and youth were passed, while the country schools furnished him his preliminary education. For about eight years thereafter he was engaged in teaching school, but he did not consider this seriously as a vocation, for he had early become imbued with a desire to follow a professional career, and with this end in view, in 1897, began studying under the direction of John MeCook, of Cresco, with whom he read law during the summer and fall months of 1897 and January of 1898. In the latter year, having mastered the fundamental principles of legal learning, he entered the law department of the Iowa State University at Iowa City, from which he was graduated in June, 1899. In the meantime, however, his college course had been interrupted, for on the 22d of April, 1898, at Iowa City, he enlisted for service in the Spanish- American war, being mustered into the United States army at Des Moines on the 17th of May as a private in Company I, Fiftieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He served with his regiment until November 30, 1898, when he was mustered out and returned to Iowa City to complete his studies. In September of the following year he came to Lisbon and here opened an office, being identified with legal interests here at the present time. Almost from the beginning he was prosperous, his success being entirely due to his own efforts and merits. The possession of advantages is no guarantee whatever of professional success — this comes not of itself nor can it be secured without industry, integrity and ability. These qualities he possesses to an eminent degree and is faithful to every interest committed to his charge, while the provident care which he gives to the preparation of each case has insured his winning a large number of cases before the court.

It was on the 5th of June, 1901, that Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Ella Kettering, a native of Lisbon and a daughter of Solomon and Mary Kettering. They became the parents of one daughter, Ella Kettering Johnson. On the ist of February, 1903. the wife and mother passed away, and later Mr. Johnson was again married, his second union being with Iva M. Strong, also a native of Lisbon and a daughter of Charles and Margaret McAlister.

In his fraternal relations Mr. Johnson belongs to the Masonic order, holding membership in the blue lodge, and is likewise identified with the Knights of Pythias. His political allegiance is given to the republican party but the honors and emoluments of office have had no attraction for him, preferring to perform his duties as a private citizen rather than figure prominently in the public eye. His time and attention arc concentrated upon his professional duties, and the clientage accorded him has attained such proportions as to place him among the successful and prominent attorneys of this county. He is, however, public-spirited in his citizenship, desiring that only which is best for his adopted city. and therefore lends his aid and influence to all matters which have for their object the growth and development of the community.

As printed in History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time (1911). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.