JOHNSON, Alfred - 1890 Bio (1836-1901)

JOHNSON, CHORON, WINCRIST, WALKER, MCCLAREY

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 8/11/2007 at 19:26:35

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Page 337

Alfred JOHNSON, residing on section 13, Locust Grove Township, Jefferson County, is the owner of a fine farm of three hundred and sixty acres, and in connection vith (sic) its cultivation is engaged in raising fine stock. Mr. JOHNSON is of Swedish birth and is a son of a Swedish farmer and stock-buyer, Yohnz JOHNSON, who spent his entire life in his native land, dying in 1845. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary CHORON, survived him some twenty years.

Alfred was a lad of twenty years when he left the Fatherland for America. In company with three companions, he crossed the Atlantic in a sailing-vessel and after a voyage of twenty-one days landed in New York City. He immediately quitted the Eastern metropolis and sought a home in the West, his destination being Jefferson County, Iowa, where a colony of Swedish emigrants had located some years previous. He had been liberally educated in his native land but in no other way, except by the possession of a determined will and energy, was he fitted for the battle life. His cash capital consisted of but twenty-five cents, yet undaunted by the formidable task which lay before him, he sought work and laid the foundation for future success. For some time he was employed as a farm hand, continuing that labor until he could engage in business for himself.

In Fairfield, in 1865 (sic - 17 Sep 1863), Mr. JOHNSON was united in marriage with Mrs. Lucinda (sic - Ducena) JOHNSON, a native of Sweden. She came to this county in 1846. By her former marriage she became the mother of five children: Washington, who is married and resides in Madison County, Iowa; Laura, now Mrs. WINCRIST, of Holridge, Neb.; Larkin, who is married and resides in Portland, Ore.; Charlie, a resident of Madison County, Iowa; and Esther, who is married and living in Ringgold, Iowa. Unto Alfred JOHNSON and his worthy wife have also been born five children: Mary, now Mrs. WALKER, of Nebraska; Ed, who is married and makes his home in Polk Township; Hannah, at home; Etta, now Mrs. McCLAREY, of Keokuk County, Iowa, and Carrie.

Mr. JOHNSON is truly a self-made man, his success in life being due entirely to his own efforts. He is numbered among the substantial citizens of Jefferson County, having considerable property, including the three hundred and sixty-acre farm mentioned at the beginning of this sketch. The first year after his marriage he resided in Fairfield Township, but in 1866, removed to Locust Grove Township, purchasing a partially improved farm of eighty acres, the nucleus of his present landed possessions. He also devotes considerable attention to stock-raising. In his political affiliations, Mr. JOHNSON is a stanch Democrat, and socially, is a member of the Odd Fellows society of Brookville. The duties of citizenship he faithfully discharges, his business he attends to promptly and efficiently as is indicated by his success. Those who know, him respect him for his upright life and the friends of the JOHNSON family are many.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.