Ira D. Johnson

As printed in 1914

IRA D. JOHNSON.

In the death of Ira D. Johnson on the 20th of September, 1898, Boone mourned the loss of one of her valued and representative citizens, for his life exemplified the many sterling traits of manhood which in every land and clime awaken confidence and regard. He was born in Lawrence county, Missouri, August 12, 1870, and completed a high-school course at Henrietta, Texas. He also attended a business college at Jacksonville, Illinois, and thus qualified for onerous and responsible duties in later life. In the fall of 1890 he came to Boone and entered into partnership with his father, the late W. D. Johnson, in the coal business under the firm name of W. D. Johnson & Company. He devoted practically his entire attention to the coal trade and in that connection a big business was built up. He was also a stockholder in the Security Savings Bank, and his contemporaries and colleagues in business circles knew him to be a" thoroughly reliable and enterprising man.

On the 29th of October, 1890, in Illinois, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Johnson, a daughter of James and Martha (Adkins) Johnson, who were natives of Mason county, Illinois. James Johnson was a member of Company.M, Second Illinois Cavalry at the time of the Civil war, enlisting in 1862 and serving for three years. He became a commissioned officer, holding the rank of second lieutenant when nuislered out of the service. By occupation he was a farmer, devoting his entire life to general agricultural pursuits. The cause of temperance found in him a stalwart advocate and earnest worker, and his life was actuated by many high and many principles. His family numbered nine children, all of whom are yet living. Two of the sons are residents of Boone county — F. H., making his home in the city of Boone, while Edgar resides near Ogden. To Air. and Mrs. Ira D. Johnson were born three children: William D., who remains at home and is an automobile salesman; Lucile, who is attending Northwestern University at Evanston, Illinois, and Ethel Lorraine, who died when a baby.

Politically Mr. Johnson was a republican, although reared in the faith of the democratic party, to which his father gave his support. Fraternally he was connected with Boonesboro Lodge, No. 324, K. P., and his widow is a member of the Pythian Sisters. He died at the very early age of twenty-eight years, and the news of his demise was a shock to the entire community. He left behind him many friends, and his heritage to his family was not only a good property, but also that good name which is rather to be chosen than great riches. In action he was many and sincere, in spirit kindly, and one of his more pronounced characteristics was his devotion to his family.

As printed in History of Boone County, Iowa (1914). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.