Harry Johnson

As printed in 1888

ARRY JOHNSON, of Burlington, is proprietor of the well-known job printing house at No. 115 Jefferson street, where he does a general job and book printing business, making a specialty of catalogue work. He h.as several steam-power presses and an office well equipped for all work in his line.

This business was established by the subject of this sketch in 1881, since which time he has published the Burlington Star, a weekly society paper, which he conducted during 1884-85. He also established the Morning Herald, a daily paper, which he published but a short time, and then sold out. He now devotes his attention strictly to job and book work, gives employment to from fourteen to eighteen hands, and is doing a safe and prosperous business.

Mr. Johnson was born in Burlington, Iowa, April

21, 1863, and is the son of G. H. and Carrie (Franken) Johnson, who are still residents of this cit. His father was born in New York City, and was of Swedish parentage. His mother was born in Sweden, and emigrated to America in childhood. Harry was educated in the public schools of his native city. In 1881, when but nineteen years old, lie started a small job office, employing a good practical printer as foreman. He learned the printer's trade in his own office. When twenty-one years old, Oct. 1, 1883, he was appointed Observer of the United States Signal Corps, stationed at Burlington, which position he held four j'ears and until the station was discontinued.

At the same time young Johnson was conducting his printing-office, and publishing newspapers. When starting in business he was uniformly spoken of as "the boy printer." He began without capital or assistance of any kind, relying on his own energy and ability to carry him through. That he has succeeded so well is due to his perseverance and industry, as well as to his other natural capacities. He is a Republican in politics, and a member of the Royal Arcanum.

HOMAS G. CATLETi, an.attorney-at-law and a real-estate and insurance agent, at Burlington, Iowa, was born in Bloomington, McLean Co., Ill., March 5, 1850, and is a son of William O. and Elizabeth (Whitelock) Catlett, the former a native of Loudoun County, Va., born in 1828, and the latter of Kentucky, born in 1830. When 3'oung people they both went to Bloomington. 111., where thejwere married Jan. 16, 1849. William Catlett was a carpenter and was engaged at his trade until 1 862, when he enlisted in the 94tb Illinois Infantry. Soon after entering the service he was sent to Benton Barracks, St. Louis, from thence to Springfield, Mo., and while on the way contracted rheumatism, which unfitted him for general service. On the 12th of May, 1864. he was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps, being stationed at Camp Douglas, Chicago, where he did guard duty- He was detailed as one of the guanls over Lincoln's body from Chicago to Springfield, where he was mustered out July 7, 1865. He died in 1886, from the effects of army life. During his early years he was an Abolitionist, and afterward was a supporter of the Rei)publican party. Mr. and Mrs. Catlett were the parents of two children: Thomas G., the subject of our sketch, and Eva E., wife of John B. Wright, of Winnebago County, Minn. After the death of his first wife Mr. Catlett was again married. Miss Alice C. Mahan becoming his wife. They had four children: Eilward W.,of Burlington; Eva Viola, wife of W. V. Beaver, of Red Cloud, Neb.; Horace S., of Burlington, and Mary E., deceased.

The subject of our sketch deserves much credit for his success in life. Starting out a poor boy and receiving but a limited education, he has made for himself a position of which he can well be proud. In December, 1873, he came to Burlington with the intention of attending the business college, but the following spring went to Nebraska. The grasshoppers destroying the crops th.at year, he concluded it was better to return, and in the fall of 1874 he purchased an interest in the Burlington Business College, remaining one year. He then entered the office of Stutsman & Trulock, commenced the stud\' of law, and was admitted to the bar in June, 1876. He has held various offices of trust in Burlington; in 1877 was elected Township Clerk, has served as City Clerk, was appointed Justice of the Peace to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of H. O. Browning, was elected to that office in 1878 and reelected in 1880, but resigned in January, 1881. He was engaged by a publishing house for two years as collector, traveling over Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota and Dakota. Mr. Catlett is a member of McLean Lodge No. 206,

As printed in Portrait and biographical album of Des Moines County, Iowa, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county .. (1888). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.