JOHNSON, ALPHEUS

JOHNSON, DUFFE, HOLDEN, COSGROVE, DAU, THOMPSON, FINN

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 3/5/2004 at 17:07:33

Biography reproduced from page 576 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

Alpheus Johnson, whose demise occurred at Algona, August 25, 1899, came to this county from Linn county, Iowa, in 1870, and here devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits throughout the remainder of his active career. His birth occurred in New York city, March 31, 1829, his father being Alpheus Johnson, Sr., who was born in Sharon, Massachusetts, in 1798, and who married Miss Louisa Duffe in New York city in 1823. Alpheus Johnson, Sr., came to Illinois at an early day and settled in Lake county. He served as justice of the peace of the town of Warren, Illinois, in 1853, when Joel A. Matson was governor of that state. For a number of years he also held the office of justice of the peace at Langworthy, Jones county, Iowa. He died at Jordan Grove, Linn county, this state, in 1868, passing away in the faith of the Baptist church, of which he had been a devoted member. His political allegiance was given to the republican party.

In 1838, when a lad of about ten yers, Alpheus Johnson accompanied his parents on their removal to Lake county, Illinois, arriving there on the 10th of May. In November, 1854, he established his home at Langworthy, Jones county, Iowa. His brother William enlisted for service in the Union army as a member of the Thirty-first Iowa Volunteer Infantry and died at Vicksburg, Mississippi. In 1870 Alpheus Johnson made his way with team and wagon from Waubeek, Linn county, Iowa, to Algona. Throughout the remainder of his active business career he was busily engaged in general farming, winning an enviable reputation as one of the substantial and esteemed citizens of his community.

On the 1st of January, 1859, at Langworthy, Jones county, Iowa, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Alchesta Holden, who was born in Chesterfield, New Hampshire, on the 10th of November, 1839, and is still living in Algona, this state. Her father, Wilson Holden, whose birth occurred in Shirley, Massachusetts, on the 4th of March, 1815, was a carpenter and machinist by trade. He passed away in Bolivar, Missouri, on the 22nd of October, 1911. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were born four children, as follows: Emma Louisa, who has taught school in this county for several years, and is now the wife of Joseph Cosgrove of Wesley; Mary Iowa, the wife of Frank Dau, of Stillwater, Minnesota; Josephine, who also followed the profession of teaching in Kossuth county, and is the wife of Frank Thompson, of Lone Rock, Iowa; and George W., of Algona. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson also reared a boy by the name of Stephen Finn, who was born in New York city in 1888 and educated in the Algona public schools. He is at present in the south.

Alpheus Johnson was a stanch advocate of the republican party, believing its principles most conducive to good government. His religious faith was that of the Baptist church. He was upright and honorable in all the relations of life and gained the warm regard and esteem of those with whom he came in contact.