H. Johnson

As printed in 1887

H. JOHNSON, a native of Linn

County, was born in Cedar Rapids-Ian.

,xy,yr/ 12, 1857. His parents were Robert and

Margaret (Bowling) Johnson, natives of: Pennsylvania, and engaged there in agricultural pursuits until 1846, when, desiring to better their fortunes in the West, they came into the Hawkeye State, and purchased a farm in Rapids Township. This consisted of 220 acres, and the father remained here until his decease, which occurred in 1865. The mother is still living on the old home- Stead. These excellent people may be properly classed among the early pioneers of Linn County.

They came here about the time that Iowa was admitted as a State into the Union, and while they witnessed the progress and development of the country they also aided materially in assisting its advancement.

When the parents of our subject took possession of their farm in this vicinity the land around them was unimproved and consisted mostly of wild prairie. Their first dwelling here was a small log house, which stood upon the place at the time of their purchase. The father immediately set about making improvements. He cultivated the land. put in the crops which he considered the best adapted to it, worked early and late, and in every way identified himself with the life and habits of the pioneers. His labors were rewarded in the growing value of his possessions, and in time the rude log cabin was replaced by a fine brick residence, with comfortable barns and all the outbuildings necessary for the storing of grain and the accommodation of stock. In addition to this he built rods upon rods of good fencing, and in due time the homestead became one of the most attractive spots in the county. The household of the parents included four children, one of whom has passed to the land of the hereafter: The eldest daughter, Catharine, married Mr. Wesley Stephens, and is a resident of Cedar Rapids; Mary. now Mrs. Thorn, resides on the old homestead.

As printed in Portrait and biographical album of Linn County, Iowa (1887). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.