Olof W. Johnson

As printed in 1910

OLOF W. JOHNSON.

Olof W. Johnson, who is the proprietor of the only successful harness shop which has been operated in the village of Bishop Hill, is one of its native sons who have attained a fair name and pronounced good fortune. He ",vcio born December 4, 1859, his parents being John B. and Brita Johnson. The father was a native of Ongermanland, Sweden, his birth having occurred in 1814. He joined the little band of men and women who joined the Bishop Hill colony in 1850 and was prominently known in its midst, for his physical strength brought him a renown that equaled that which he obtained as a workman and a citizen. He was familiarly called the giant of the place, for in his prime he stood six feet and four inches in height, and at one time lifted a dead weight of thirteen hundred and sixty-five pounds. During the existence of the colony he was its wagonmaker, but after it was dissolved he engaged in the cultivation of the soil, to which he devoted his energies until his death. This occurred in 1891, when he was in the seventy-seventh year of his age. The mother of our subject, who was born in Bolnas, Helsingland, Sweden, in 1827, came to Henry county and to the Bishop Hill colony at the same time as did her husband. She lived until 1904 and was also seventy-seven years old when her life was ended.

Olof W. Johnson attended the Bishop Hill school and that of district 23, Weller township, and grew to manhood upon the old homestead about a mile and a half west of the village. He devoted himself to agricultural pursuits until 1905, when he went to Cody, Wyoming, and there engaged in irrigating. After two years experience he sold his interests and returned to Bishop Hill, where shortly after he established himself in the harnessmaking business. In addition to being the first successful enterprise of its kind here, the shop contains a complete line of harness and harness supplies, while Mr. Johnson will make to order anything that is requested of him. He also carries a large stock of carriage and wagon woods and hardware and conducts a general repair shop. As his store is furnished with almost all the necessities of its kind and the shop equipped with the most modern machinery, it supplies a longfelt want in the village. The efficiency of its proprietor, his skill in workmanship and the high principles which have guided his relations with his fellow townsmen have placed him in a position where he commands their highest regard.

In Council Bluffs, Iowa, June 30, 1908, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Johnson and Miss Katherine Johnson, a school teacher at Loomis, Nebraska, and is a daughter of Olof Johnson, a prominent physician of that place. His father was a republican in his political affiliations, but in his youth our subject gave his allegiance to the democrats and since attaining his majority votes the prohibition ticket. However, he has always put men and measures before parties and adherence to them, so that the candidate who represents the best interests of the community may count upon his support. He has taken some part in local affairs, for he has served one term each as township assessor and collector, and for two years was on the village police force. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Good Templars, among whose members he has many stanch friends. For his recreation he plays upon the violin, and with the spirit of the true musician, combined with his ability as a workman, he has in his possession several instruments which he has himself made. The house in which he lives was built by him two years ago, and there is dispensed that gracious hospitality which make welcome friends and worthy strangers alike.

As printed in History of Henry County, Illinois (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.