Johnson, John H.

JOHNSON, CLARK

Posted By: Roseanna Zehner
Date: 7/22/2006 at 15:32:48

JOHNSON, JOHN H.

This gentleman has devoted himself so earnestly and successfully to fruit and apple culture that he is quite commonly known throughout the neighborhood as "Apple" Johnson, on account of the variety and productiveness of his apple trees. His home farm on section 24, Richland Township, is one of the most widely known agricultural centers of Lyon County, and he is personally one of the most popular citizens of the community.'

Mr. Johnson was born in Norway, in May 1853, and came to this country in 1861. His parents were natives of Norway and removed to the United States in 1861, and the father died when only a month on this side of the ocean, at the early age of forty-three. His widow lived to be eighty years old, passing away March 8, 1902. They had two children, James, now a resident of San Luis Obispo County, California, and John H., whose name introduces this article.

John H. Johnson secured his early education in the public schools of Lafayette County, Wisconsin, where he worked out later by the month. While still a young man he spent seven months in Lyon County as a farm laborer, going from here to Kansas, where he remained two years. In 1878 he came back to Lyon County and settled on his present farm. He owns one hundred and sixty acres, and rents another quarter section in section 13, of Richland Township. As already noted he has been very successful in his farming operations, and following up advanced and progressive ideas of agriculture, he became one of the leading men of his day.

Mr. Johnson was married September 11, 1876 to Miss Sarah E. Clark, of Black Hawk County, Iowa. She is a daughter of Norman P. and Ricalia Clark, natives of New York and Pennsylvania, respectively. Her father was a carpenter, and died in Waterloo, Iowa in 1899, at the age of seventy-three. His widow died in 1901, when seventy-two. They reared a family of six children; all are living with the exception of Mrs. Johnson, who died in 1892 at the age of thirty-three years. She was the mother of the following children, all of whom are living, and at home: Bertha, who is a dressmaker; Ethel; Walter; Eva; Lawrence; Ellis and Ruth. Mr. Johnson is a man of considerable prominence in his own community, and has served as school director seven years, and for two years has been justice of the peace. In religious matters he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Source: Compendium of History Reminiscence and Biography of Lyon County, Iowa. Published under the Auspices of the Pioneer Association of Lyon County. Geo. Monlun, Pres.; Hon. E. C. Roach Sec’y; and Col. F. M. Thompson, Historian. Geo. A. Ogle & CO., Published, Engravers and Book Manufacturers. Chicago, 1904-1905

Transcribed by Roseanna Zehner, Darlene Jacoby and Diane Johnson