O. N. Johnson

As printed in 1903

O. N. JOHNSON.

The life history of him whose name heads this sketch is closely identified with the history of Keokuk county, which has been his home since he was four years of age. He began his career in the early pioneer epoch of the county and throughout the years which have since come and gone he has been closely allied with its interests and upbuilding. His life has been one of untiring activity and has been crowned with a degree of success attained by comparatively few men, for he is well known throughout the county as one of its leading agriculturists and one of the substantial business men of the town of Richland, where he is serving as vice president of the Union State Bank.

Mr. Johnson was born in Hendricks county, Indiana, on the gth of March, [842. His father, the Hon. J. C. Johnson, claimed North Carolina as the state of his nativity, and he was a son of Jeremiah Johnson, also a native of that commonwealth. The son, J. C, accompanied his parents on their removal to Hendricks county, Indiana, when he was eighteen years of age, and there he became identified with agricultural pursuits. Remaining in the Hoosier state until 1846, he then came with horse and ox teams to Keokuk county, Iowa, and the part which he took in founding and developing the county well entitled him to he inscribed high on the roll of Keokuk's honored pioneers and eminent men. During his first season here he farmer on rented land in Richland township, after which he purchased a farm east of the village of Richland, but subsequently sold his possessions here and returned to his old home in Indiana. The old Hoosier state, however, (lid not long claim him among its residents, for he soon came again to Iowa, this time purchasing eighty acres of prairie land near Richland, and sixty acres of white oak timber land. He also entered into business pursuits in the village, but shortly afterward he retired from the active duties of life, and his death occurred in 1892, when he had reached the seventy-seventh milestone on the journey of life. He was an active factor in the public life of the community, was a stanch Republican in his political affiliations, and was the choice of his party for the office of state senator on one occasion, in which important position he served for one term. He was also called upon to fill many local offices, and his fidelity to the public trust in the discharge of his official duties was most marked. In his fraternal relations he was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

The marriage of Mr. Johnson was celebrated in Indiana, where Miss Prudence Saunders became his wife. She was a native daughter of the Buckeye state, but was reared in Indiana, and her death occurred in her sixty-sixth year. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Johnson was blessed with two daughters and a son, the former being Amanda, the wife of H. W. Troay, and Martha, the wife of J. M. Warker, of Richland. The only son in this family, O. X. Johnson, was but four years of age when he was brought by his parents to Keokuk county, Iowa, being reared on a farm in Richland township, while his early mental training was received in the schools of the village of Richland. Remaining under the parental roof until his marriage, he then removed to a tract of forty acres, and in 1865 he became the owner of the place on which he now resides. At the time of the purchase the place was practically unimproved, and the many and valuable accessories which have since been added stand as monuments to his thrift and ability. During the past thirty-five years, in addition to the raising of the cereals best adapted to this sod and climate, he has also been extensively engaged in the stock business, and in both lines of endeavor success has crowned his efforts. He is now the owner of four hundred acres of rich and fertile land, which is divided into three farms, and all are well improved with good residences, barns and outbuildings. In 1895 Mr. Johnson purchased the interest of Mr. Stroup in the John Stroup Bank and was made its president. One year later this institution was organized into the Union State Bank, of which Mr. Johnson was made vice president, its president being Charles Reiser. In the business circles of Keokuk county our subject has long been an important factor, and his popularity is well deserved for in him are embraced the characteristics of an unbending integrity, unabating energy and industry that has never ragged. In 1864 occurred the marriage of Mr. Johnson and Miss Julia Duke. The lady was a native of Virginia but came to Keokuk county, Iowa, when sixteen years of age. and was a daughter of Thomas Duke. Two children were born of this union, Floyd M., who married Dora Reed, and is engaged in railroad work; and Raymond, a veterinary surgeon of St. Joe, Missouri, and for the past three years he has served as a government inspector; he married Kate Connors. In 1882 the loving wife and mother was summoned to eternal rest, and for his present wife Mr. Johnson those Delia Hill, a native of Indiana. He. too, is a stanch supporter of Republican principles, while his fraternal relations for a number of years connected him with Richland Lodge. N< 1. 38, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. Nearly all his life having been spent in Keokuk county, he is widely known among its citizens and is held in uniform regard.

As printed in A genealogical and biographical history of Keokuk County, Iowa .. (1903). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.