William L. Johnson

As printed in 1907

WILLIAM L. JOHNSON.

Among the residents of Guthrie county whose present retirement from the necessity of labor has been made possible by years of former toil and activity William L. Johnson is numbered. He now makes his home in Guthrie Center, although he was at one time closely associated with agricultural interests. Half the with of the continent separates him from his birthplace, for he was born upon the Atlantic coast in the year 1832, New Jersey being his native state. It was in the schools there that he acquired his education while spending his boyhood days in the home of his parents, John and Ann (Kirby) Johnson, the former a farmer in New Jersey. Ther family numbered six children, four sons and two daughters.

'william L. Johnson was reared to farm life, his time being divided between the duties of the schoolroom, the.pleasures of the playground and the work of the fields. Throughout his early life, as well as in later manhood, he was thus connected with farming interests, and was thus engaged in New Jersey until after the outbreak of the Civil war. He offered his ser\- ices to the government, prompted by a spirit of patriotism. He enlisted in the Twentyninth New Jersey Volunteer Infantry on the

ist of September, 1862, and served for ten months as a private. After being honorably discharged he returned to New Jersey,, where he was again connected with farming interests until 1878. Thinking that he would have better business opportunities in the west, he came to Guthrie county in that year and bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in Baker township from a Mr. Herron. Thirty acres had been placed under the plow, but the remainder was still in its primitive condition, no furrow having been turned nor an improvement made upon it. With characteristic energy he began its further development. He brought the remainder of the farm under cultivation, erected all the buildings and improved the place, transforming the once wild land into rich and productive fields. He worked untiringly, his labors guided by sound business judgment, and in all things he was practical and persistent. He remained upon the farm until 1893. engaged in raising various crops and also raising stock. Both branches of his business proved remunerative. 'hen fifteen years at the business and his labors had brought to him a competency, he left the farm and removed to Guthrie Center. Here he purchased a residence from Mr. Foster, which he hah since owned and occupied, and he is now pleasantly located, having many friends in the community and enjoy'ing the uniform good will of all with whom he has come in contact.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

Mr. Johnson has been a republican since the organization of the party. He was a trustee of Baker township, but ha? never been a politician in the sense of office-seeking, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business interests. He is a consistent and faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church and has lived a life of activity and usefulness, so that in the evening of life he enjoys in full measure the respect and trust of his fellowmen.

As printed in Past and present of Guthrie County, Iowa : together with biographical sketches of many of its prominent and leading citizens and illustrious dead (1907). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.