Martin Johnson

As printed in 1909

MARTIN JOHNSON.

Martin Johnson, now retired after many years of unwearied efforts as an agriculturist and carriage maker, a man held in high respect for his industry and excellent qualities of character, was born in Denmark, February 13, 1844, a son of Johannes and Carrie Mary (Tidman) Johnson. His father was a carpenter and cabinet maker, who spent his entire life in his native land, where he passed away in 1908. His mother, also a native of Denmark, there departed this life when Martin Johnson was but thirteen years of age. In the family were but two children, namely, Martin and Hans Peter, the latter now residing in Minnesota. The elder Mr. Johnson was twice united in marriage, the second time to Dorothy Nelson, by whom he reared four children, only two surviving, namely, James, who is an agriculturist, operating a large farm near Enwood, this state, and Christ, who is living on a farm east of Spencer.

In the common schools of his native land Martin Johnson acquired his early education and when fourteen years of age was apprenticed for a period of four and a half years to a carriage maker. Having learned that trade, he followed the occupation as a journeyman until he was twenty-one years of age, and in the year 1867 came to the United States, locating in Waupun, Wisconsin, where he became employed in a carriage shop. He remained at Waupun four years, at the expiration of which time he came to this county. Upon his arrival here he found it very difficult to get a start, as at that time he had but one horse. But eventually, having raised a colt, he traded same for a cow and one year later traded his horses for a yoke of oxen, and with this team he at once began to break the raw prairie and put it into a fit state for cultivation. He was handicapped in many ways, as there was a great deal of sickness in the family as well as other reverses, which made it seem almost impossible to attain any headway. However, he plodded along with perseverance and patience, applying his energies to hard work, and finally succeeded in overcoming all difficulties, mounting above discouragements and transforming the raw prairie country into an excellent state of cultivation, from which he has since reaped harvests which have grandly repaid him for the labors of his earlier years. He owns the eastern half of section i8 and also eighty acres of section 17, all of which is highly improved property, and his farm is provided with an elegant residence,, outbuildings, machinery and all conveniences necessary to make agriculture a paying business. Aside from engaging in general husbandry, he also pays some attention to stock raising and does quite a shipping business in the better breeds of cattle, sheep and hogs. While Mr. Johnson takes a deep interest in every department of his farm, being careful to always keep his buildings in excellent condition and his property neatly and substantially fenced, yet he takes particular pride in his town residence, to which he has given much thought and attention and which is considered one of the finest and most comfortable dwelling houses in Royal.

In 1873 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Hendrickson, a resident of this county, by whom he has had two children, namely, Emma, wife of Peter Sondergarth. who owns a fine farm on section 17 in Lincoln township, and William, who is an agriculturist, owning section 18 in that place. In politics Mr. Johnson is a republican and although he is not an active politician, he keeps abreast of the times regarding the paramount issues before the country and is always ready with his vote and influence to do what he can to secure the election of the candidates of his party. He is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in Wisconsin, and belongs to the Lutheran church, where he regularly attends divine services. Mr. Johnson is well known throughout the township as a good and industrious man, enjoying the confidence and respect of his neighbors, and for the past two years he has been living in retirement in his elegant residence in the village of Royal, where he is spending his declining years in the enjoyment of the fruits of his long season of honest and successful labor.

As printed in History of Clay County, Iowa, from its earliest settlement to 1909 (1909). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.