Johnson, Jergen 1879-1969

JOHNSON, STRUB

Posted By: Linda Mohning, volunteer (email)
Date: 5/27/2012 at 05:45:09

Jergen Johnson, one of the well-known men and one who has met with success in life, was born in Iroquois county, Illinois, and is now the successful manager of the Remsen Telephone Company, Plymouth county. His birth occurred on September 14, 1879, and he is the son of Jergen and Kate Johnson.
Jergen and Kate Johnson were born in Germany and there received the greater part of their education in the public schools. The father came to the United States when he was but fifteen years of age. He first located in Illinois, where he worked as teamster for some years. On his arrival in this country he had but little money and was required to work at the first proposition that presented itself to him. After a few years of life as a teamster, he married, after which he rented land and devoted the next few years of his life to farm work. He later purchased a farm in Illinois, where he remained until 1888. He then came to Iowa and established his home on a farm that he purchased, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres, three miles east of Remsen. This farm he developed and improved and in time increased his holdings, until he became the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of excellent land. It was on this farm that he made his home, and engaged in general farming and stock raising, until 1904, when he retired from the more active duties of life and moved to Le Mars, where he now lives. He and his wife are the parents of ten children, nine of whom are now living, as follow: Harm, Jergen, Anna, George, Henry, John, Etta , Alta and Enoch.
Jergen Johnson, the subject of this sketch, received his education in the schools of Remsen, completing his education in the high school of that place. He then engaged in farming with his father for one year, when he rented a farm and engaged in farm work for himself for a few years. He and his brother then purchased a farm, which Jergen Johnson farmed for two years. He then sold his interests and moved to Remsen, where he bought the Remsen telephone, which he still owns. Since purchasing the lines he has made many improvements and has added many subscribers to the list, and today he has the largest exchange in the county, outside of Le Mars. He is now the president of the Remsen Telephone Company and the Remsen Tank Line Company, be being one of the organizers of the latter company. In addition to his other interests, he is a large landowner and is at present the owner of over eleven hundred head of sheep, as well as cattle and hogs.
In 1908 Jergen Johnson was united in marriage to Gertrude Strub, the daughter of Charles Strub and wife, and to this union two children have been born, Myrtle and Carl. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are held in high regard in the community, and where they have taken so much interest in the social and religious life.

Source: The History of Plymouth County, Vol. II, edited by W. S. Freeman, 1917