Leonard E Johnson

JOHNSON

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 5/22/2010 at 20:19:59

Leonard E Johnson is successfully engaged in the elevator business in Madrid and also handles Iowa and Illinois hard and soft coal. He was born in Sweden, September 16 1864, and was brought to America by his parents, C E and Louisa (Bergreen) Johnson, in 1865, he family at first locating in Illinois, where they remained for six months. They then removed to Des Moines, Iowa, where they made their home for a similar length of time. At the end of that period they came to Swede Point, Boone county, and settled Douglas township in 1866, where they remained until 1876, when the father purchased land in Garden township, where he successfully followed agricultural pursuits until 1893. The parents were both born in Sweden, the father July 20, 1829 and the mother January 5, 1827. The father died in Madrid November 28, 1902 after a long and successful career in this country. There his widow is still resident. Of their four sons two are living: Albert W residing in Omaha, Nebraska and Leonard E of this review. Carl H and Edward T both died in infancy. The three elder children were born in Sweden, but Edward T was a native of Boone county. They attended the earlier schools of the county, receiving most of their education in the Elk Rapids school.
Leonard E Johnson followed agricultural pursuits in early life. With the exception of about three years, which he spent in the Dakotas, he has been a continuous resident of Boone county. Upon his return to this state he followed various trades, being employed for five years n an implement store in Madrid. From 1910 to 11912 he was connected with the elevator in that city and in 1912 he purchased the property in partnership with Carl Lundahl an d is at present successfully engaged in the elevator business. They buy and sell grain and also deal in Iowa and Illinois coal and seeds. Mr Johnson has proved himself a most able businessman and has been successful because he is up to date in his methods and always treats his customers with the greatest fairness and liberality He has gained the confidence of all who have had business connections with him and his name stands high in commercial and financial circles.
In 1896 Leonard E Johnson married Miss Amanda C Lundahl, who was born in Douglas township, February 10, 1868. There she attended school and grew to womanhood. Both her parents, Andrew and Johanna Lundahl, passed away in Boone county. They were natives of Sweden and came to America in 1865, locating on a Douglas township farm. They were among the pioneer settlers and there family was one of the most highly esteemed in the township. The father as most successful in this agricultural work and was considered a leader in institution modern methods and trying out new ideas in farming. Mr and Mrs Lundahl had six children, as follows, Mrs Westerberg, deceased, John C residing in Madrid, Frederick, deceased, Frank who resides in Canada, Victor of Garden township, and Mrs Leonard E Johnson. Mrs Johnson was born in Boone county but her brothers and sisters were natives of Sweden.
Mr Johnson gives his allegiance to the republican party. He was clerk of Douglas township from April 15, 1907, until he resigned the office in January 1914, and discharge his duties to the great satisfaction of all concerned. Both Mr and Mrs Johnson are members of St Johns Swedish Lutheran church of Madrid, of which the former has been deacon for many years. He is one of the substantial citizens of Madrid and enjoys the high esteem ad respect of the community.

1914 Boone County History Book