J. S. Johnson, b. 20 May 1849

MILLS, WOODS, BOLINDER

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 2/20/2004 at 12:57:22

J. S. Johnson, a farmer and stock raiser of Perry Township, is one of its prominent and influential citizens. He has for several years taken an active part in public affairs, is one of the Township Trustees, having held that office six years, and is a member of the Board of School Directors. His father, Hugh Johnson, a pioneer of Jackson, of revered memory, was a gallant soldier in the late Civil War, and yielded up his life on the battlefield while bravely fighting for his country's honor. Benjamin Johnson, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Pennsylvania. He was a well-to-do farmer, and owned a large tract of land, and also had a sawmill and a woolen mill. He was a soldier in the War of 1812; his father participated in the Revolutionary War, serving throughout the contest. He continued farming in his native State until 1859, when he sold out, and coming to Iowa, engaged in farming in Washington County, until his death in 1861.

The father of our subject was born in Mercer County, Pa., and was there reared to the life of a farmer. He carried on that occupation, and also engaged in the lumber business there until 1853. In the spring of 1850 he visited Iowa, and in the following year bought land in Jackson County. He then went back to Pennsylvania, and disposing of his property there, in the spring of 1853 returned to this county with his family, performing the journey with a team in four weeks and two days. He rented at first, and the following year bought 120 acres of land in section 2, Perry Township. His land had no improvements, and the country roundabout was in an exceedingly wild state, and there were but two houses between his place and Bellevue. He was actively and busily engaged in preparing his land for cultivation, and in improving the fine farm. After the war broke out, as soon as he could arrange his affairs, he laid aside all personal considerations to enlist in defence of the old flag, and in the month of September he was enrolled as a member of Company M, 2d Iowa Cavalry. He was mustered in at Davenport, went to the front, and born an honorable part in all the battles in which his regiment participated, and at last fell, bravely fighting, in February, 1864, while on the retreat from West Point, Miss., and he now lies buried in the National burying ground at Corinth. He was promoted from the ranks to the position of Quartermaster-Sergeant. He was a man of noble, earnest nature and large heart, and was well dovered with firmness and resolution. He was ever ready to champion the cause of the weak, afflicted and downtrodden, and all such found in him a true and sympathizing friend. He was a charter member of the United Presbyterian Church at Andrew, and in all things he "sought for the good and cherished it." In anti-bellum days he was a strong abolitionist, and on the formation of the Republican party he became one of its firmest supporters.

Mr. Johnson found in his amiable wife one who sympathized with him in his views, and in his labors in upbuilding a home was a ready assistant. Her maiden name was Catherine Mills, and she was born in Lancaster County, Pa., in 1822. Her father, John Mills, was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, and was a farmer by trade. On coming to the United States he located in Lancaster County, Pa., but six years later, in 1832, he removed to Mercer County, in the same State, and was there engaged in farming until his death. Mrs. Johnson was reared in Mercer County, enjoyed good educational advantages, and at the age of eighteen became a school teacher, and continued in that profession until her marriage. She now makes her home in Andrew, is a member of the United Presbyterian Church here, and is held in great esteem by all who know her. The following three children were born of her marriage: J.S., J.M., a machinist in Maquoketa; and the Rev. W. F., a minister in the United Presbyterian Church in Iowa.

The subject of this brief biography was born in Mercer County, Pa., near Grove City, May 20, 1849, and he was but five years old when his parents came to Iowa; the most of his life has been passed in this State, and in this township. When he was thirteen years old his father went to war, so it devolved on our subject to manage the farm, which he did with good success, showing skill and judgement far beyond his years. He remained on the homestead until he was twenty-two years old, and thus early in life gained sound, practical experience that has been of much use to him in his after career as an independent farmer. In 1871 he bought his present farm, comprising eighty acres of as fertile and productive land as is to be found in this part of the county. It has a fine location on section 2; seventy acres of it are under a high state of cultivation, and it is neatly fenced, and beautiful groves, and is watered by Brush Creek, and has a good set of farm buildings. Besides his own farm Mr. Johnson has some fine specimens of stock, as he raises graded Short-horn cattle, Poland-China hogs, and Norman horses of fine grade, employing two teams in his farm labors. He is Agent for the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company.

Mr. Johnson was married, in Andrew, Iowa, Jan. 26, 1871, to Miss Jennie Woods, daughter of Nathaniel and Margaret (Bolinder) Woods, natives of Claremont County, Ohio. Her paternal grandfather was born in Ireland, and coming to America located in Ohio, where he engaged in farming, and there spent his last days. Her material grandfather, Jacob Bolinder, a native of Pennsylvaia, was a farmer in Ohio, and there died. Mrs. Johnson's parents were reared and married in Ohio, and in 1842 came to Iowa, and were early settlers of South Fork Township. Mr. Woods carried on farming there until his removal to Andrew, where he purchased 200 acres of land. He was engaged in its improvement until 1875, when he went to Kansas, and buying an improved farm of 160 acres in Labette County, is residing there, at the age of seventy-one years, engaged in the fruit business. He is a stanch Republican in his political sentiments, and religiously, is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His wife died during their residence in South Fork Township. She was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. To her and her husband the following six children were born: Joel (deceased), Martha, Mary, Jennie, Sophia and William. Joel was a member of the 12th Iowa Infrantry during the late war, and served four years. He was wounded in battle, came home, but never fully recovered from the effects of his wound. Mrs. Johnson was born in South Fork Township. Five children complete the happy home circle of herself and husband, namely: Gertie, Ada, Fred, Lulu and Jessie.

Mr. Johnson is a man of strong character, manly and self-reliant, and his fellow-citizens, recognizing his practical ability, incorruptible integrity, and other qualifications, have repeatedly called him to public life, finding in him a man to whom they can safely entrust the responsible duties of office, with the certainty that they will be discharged with fidelity and efficiency. We have mentioned the offices that he at the present time holds. He is prominently identified with the I. O. O. F., and has served through the chairs several times. He is one of the leading members of the Presbyterian Church, of which he is an Elder. In politics he is a straight Republican, but above party he holds the highest interest of his country at heart.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois)