Johnson, Jonas (1824-1989)

JOHNSON

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 12/12/2020 at 10:52:00

Dayton Review
January 21, 1882

A Boone County Samson.

THE MAN WHO WALKED TO CALIFORNIA AND HANDLES AN OX AS OTHER MEN DO A KITTEN

A good many of the early settlers in Boone county are acquainted with Jonas Johnson or, "Big Jonas" as he is called; but many residents have never heard of him and to such this item may be of interest. Jonas is the Goliath of this region and some of the stories of his strength and endurance sound fabulous. In 1858 he gained a national reputation by walking from Illinois to California, pushing his provisions before him in a wheelbarrow. He was living in Know county, Illinois when the gold fever swept over the country, and being in the early twenties in life, was fired with an ambition to join the Argonauts. He was imperfectly acquainted with English and had but $10 in cash, so he walked across Illinois and Iowa to Omaha, making the distance in two weeks. There he bought a wheelbarrow and laid in a stock of provisions, his other supplies consisting of two pair of pants, a coat, shirt and a few other personal conveniences for such a trip. With these, on the 15th day of April, he pushed boldly out, and 90 days thereafter he "landed" safely at the diggings, some fifty miles northeast of Sacramento, the first successful placer mines. Here he went to work in the same independent way he made the journey - alone - and was successful. He was able to earn from $10 to $20 per day, according to the number of hours he put in. A year satisfied him, and with a bag well filled with "dust" he returned, by way of Panama and New York, to his former home in Illinois.

His feats of strength are no less remarkable. About 20 years ago he found a cow in no uncommon predicament in those days - mired in a slough. A team of horses, planted on firm ground, had proved unable to draw her from the mire, whereupon Jonas, laying down some boards to give a good footing, lifted her bodily out of the swamp and, seizing her by the horns, dragged her to firm ground!

At another time his wagon laden with hay became mired down and the horses failed to extricate it. Jonas got impatient, and going to the rear he raised the load and pushed forward to better ground, making a life which is moderately estimated at not less than 1,300 pounds and performed under unfavorable conditions!

He is now a hale, ruddy faced man of 58 years, located on a fine farm of 120 acres in Boone and Hamilton counties, well stocked and improved, besides being the fortunate owner of two others, 160 and 120 acres respectively. He was born in Sweden, was 22 years old when he came to America and has been a resident of this county for 23 years; is a quiet, modest and peaceable man, though, it may be remarked, he has never been whipped, the few venturesome roughs who in times past may have tried it retiring in disorder and astonishment. He stands 6 feet 2 inches in his stockings and tips the beam at 245 pounds. A number 12 boot accommodates his foot and his hand is that of a giant. He was one son, a stout healthy man, but not nearly so gigantic as his parent. Mr. Johnson's post office is Mineral Ridge in this county. - Boone Standard

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Stratford Courier
October 6, 1898

In the death of Jonas Johnson, who is popularly known as "Big Jonas" the county loses one of its earliest settlers. He came to Hamilton County in 1855 and resided here until his death. He was born in Malon, Sweden, in December, 1824, and immigrated to this country in 1846 settling in the Bishop Hill Colony, Ill. He died Tuesday, Oct. 4, at the age of 73 years. J.H. Johnson of this place is the only surviving member of a family of five children. His mother died in 1893.

Mr. Johnson had seen many ups and downs of this country; while living in Knoxville, Ill., during the California gold fever in 1850, he walked the entire distance from his home to California, a good part of the distance being traversed alone. After spending a little over a year in the gold fields he made the return trip in the same manner, having secured quite a fortune in gold. Many stories are related about his enormous strength, no man in this part of the country being his equal. He was a highly respected citizen and neighbor, leaving many friends to mourn his death.

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Hamilton County Death Records indicate Jonas Johnson died Oct. 4, 1898 in Marion Township, Hamilton County, Iowa at the age of 73 years, 10 months (based on death date and age, birth date would calculate to Dec. 4, 1824). He was born in Sweden and was a farmer.

[he was married to Catherine unknown]