Fred Johnson

As printed in 1902

FRED JOHNSON.

Fred Johnson, who is living on section 12, 1 douglas township, has become the owner of a valuable Farm of three hundred and twenty acres entirely as a result of his own enterprise, untiring energy and keen discrimination in business affairs, and his life onclusivelj how potent in America are industry and resolution in the gaining of success. Mr. Johnson is a native of Sweden, his birth having occurred there on the 29th nf April, [840. I te is a son of Andrew Johnson, who was also born in that land and after arriving at man's estate wedded Elizabeth Nelson, a native of the same country. The father followed farming in Sweden and three children, who are yet living, were born unto him and his wife there. In [85] he determined to seek a home in the new world and with his family crossed the Atlantic to New York, whence he proceeded at once westward by way of Chicago and Keokuk, Iowa, to Boone county, where he found some substantial friends.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Johnson was blessed with nine children, eight of whom arc yet living: John A., who is married and follows farming on his father's land; Charles G., who is married and lives in Denver, Colorado; C. Eddy, a young man at home: Oscar F.. who is married and is living on one of his father's farms; Anton S.. who is also married and lives on one of his father's farms; Selma. Mary and Clarence L.. all under the parental roof. They also lost one son. Arthur, who died at the age of nine years.

When Mr. Johnson attained his majority he became identified with the Republican party, for his consideration of the questions and issues of the day lead him to believe that the best interests of the country would be conserved through the adoption of Republican principles. He cast his first presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln in 1864 and has voted for each presidential nominee of the party since that time. He was elected and is now serving for his second year in lli- "Lire of township trustee. lie and his wife were reared in the Lutheran faith and hold membership relations with the Swedish Lutheran church of Madrid and aided liberally in the erection of the house of worship there. Mr. Johnson is deeply interested in every movement and measure calculated to prove of general good, and he is familiar with the history of upbuilding ii county through the past half century, lie has seen its pioneer conditions give way before the encroachments of civilization. He has seen the county crossed and re by a network of railroads, telegraph and telephone wires, has witnessed the introduction of many business enterprises, the establishment of towns and villages, while the wild lands have been made to bloom and blossom as the rose. man of unquestioned honor in business and loyalty in social circles, he has the confidence of friends and neighbors and well deserves representation in this volume.

a. h. McGregor.

A. M. McGregor is a prosperous farmer and stock breeder of Beaver township living on section 27. For a quarter of a century he has resided in Boone county, but many miles separate him from the place of his birth, which occurred in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, November 27, 1838. He is the eldest son of Duncan and Sarah Blackburn ) Md Iregor, both of Bedford county. Pennsylvania. In that county the) were reared and married, the wedding being celebrated in March. (838. For several years thereafter tin father carried on farming in that locality and on the 3d of May, (853, he removed with his family to Peoria, Illinois, living in that city for two years and then purchasing Mud in Princeville township, Pei rin count v. For thirty-four years he was a representative of the agricultural interests of that locality. His wife died on the Qtli of February, 1889, and in the spring of that year he gave up the old home farm and came to Boone county. Here he spent his remaining days, but he did not long survive the lady who had so long been his companion and helpmate on life's journey, for his death occurred on the 2d of December. 1890. In their Family were nine children. who are mentioned in the sketch of John Mck ircg.r on another page of this work.

In the usual manner of tanner lads A. 11. McGregor spent the days of his b and youth, and at the age of twenty-five years he left home to make his own way in the world. He entered upon his business career by renting a farm of his father, in Princeville township, Peoria comity. Illinois, and after two years he purchased that property, which he owned for four year-. He then sold out and invested in coal mines, opening up and operating mines for five years, in [877, however, he disposed of his business interests in Illinois and came to Boone county, Iowa, purchasing the farm upon which he has since resided, and here he has since lived with the exception of three years spent in Des Ah lines. Iowa, in order to better educate his children.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

Moines and a store building in Berkley, Iowa, thus having made judicious investments in real estate, lie makes a specialty of the raising of fine stock upon his farm and has full blooded.Hereford cattle. He has been very successful in his agricultural efforts and in the placing of his investments and is among the most prosperous and upto-date farmers in Beaver township. His family is refined and intelligent and all enjoy the warm regard of many friends. Mr. McGregor is a Republican in politics and has almost continuously held some minor office. lie and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Berkley and take an active part in all lines of church work. He belongs to that public-spirited class of citizens who, while promoting individual success, also find time to aid in advancing the general welfare along social, material, intellectual and rural lines.

As printed in A Biographical record of Boone County, Iowa (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.