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ALEXANDER JOHNSON, a substantial and well-known farmer on section 26, Canton Township, is a native of Ireland, and was born in County Tyrone on the 7th of March, 1832. His parents, James and Isabella Johnson, had seven children, four of whom emigrated to the United States — Joseph, now deceased; John, Alexander and David, who are now residents of Benton County.Alexander was bred to mercantile life, and resided on the Emerald Isle until he attained his majority, He then determined to emigrate, America offering better opportunities for success than his native land. Bidding his parents an affectionate farewell, he sailed for New York, and, as soon as he landed on the free soil of this country, continued his journey to Coshocton, Ohio, where he clerked in a store until the spring of 1855. He then clerked one year in Lyons, Iowa, thence coming to Benton County, where he purchased 120 acres of land on section 15, Fremont Township. He then clerked at Cedar Rapids and Waverly for two years. In 1856 he settled on his land and concluded to become a farmer. In 1866 he sold that farm and purchased his present one of eighty acres, on section 26, Canton Township, where he is still residing.
Mr. Johnson has worked hard and managed well, and through his own ability has made a success in life. He is a friend of education, always forwarding any efforts which may be put forth to advance that cause, and is glad to see that the coming generations will have less hardships to contend with than had the pioneers who settled up the country. In 1878 he recrossed the ocean, and attended the Paris Exposition, also visiting points of interest in England, Scotland and his native isle. His mother was still living, and it was a great pleasure for him to meet her once more after an absence of so many years.
Sept 27, 1860, he united in marriage with Martha Kirkpatrick, a daughter of David Kirkpatrick. She was born in Hardin County, Ohio. Their union has been blest with five children—James Anderson, who died July 10, 1885, aged twenty-four years; David K.; Nancy A.; Hattie, who died at the age of two years, and Nellie May.
Politically Mr. Johnson is a Republican, having cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860. He is also a member of the A. O. U. W.
Source Citation: "1887 Benton County, Iowa Biographies" [database online] Benton County IAGenWeb Project. <http://iagenweb.org/benton/>
Original data: "Portrait and Biographical Album of Benton County, Iowa." Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1887, p. 189-190.
Transcribed by: Sue Soden. Submitted to the Benton County IAGenWeb Project on January 28th, 2009. Copyright © 2009 The IAGenWeb Project.
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