Johnson, Harvey P.

JOHNSON, WILSON, MCNEIL, BLAINE, STEVENS, MCCLURE

Posted By: Gary Norris (email)
Date: 12/2/2012 at 14:07:14

While a resident of Montezuma Harvey P. Johnson is nevertheless actively interested in farming and stock-raising, being extensively engaged in the live-stock business since 1882. He was born in Greene county, Ohio, April 22, 1849, and was only six months old when brought to Poweshiek county by his parents, Virgil H. and Mary V. (Wilson) Johnson, who were also natives of the Buckeye state. The father, who was born in Highland county, September 16, 1813, died on the 5th of April, 1893, spending his last days upon the farm in Union township where he located upon his arrival in this county.
He was the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land, and half of which he entered from the government, while the remaining eighty acres he purchased. It came into his poossession a wild and uncultivated tract but he left it well improved, its excellent condition and attractive appearance indicating his useful and well spent life. Both he and his wife were faithful Christian people, holding membership in the Baptist church. Mrs. Johnson, who was born in 1816, passed away in Union township in 1898. Their family consisted of six children, namely; Lorenzo D., of Union township; Carrie, who passed away at the age of two years; Harvey P., of this review; Joseph A., of Maryland; William P., also residing in Union township; and Angeline, the widow of Oscar McNeil and resident of Union township, makeing her home on her father’s farm. Upon the old homestead in Union township Harvey P. Johnson was reared and from an early age assisted in the development and improvement of the farm. The public schools afforded him his educational privileges and his time was divided between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the work of the fields. He continued to assist his father in the cultivation of the farm until thirty years of age, when he started for Kansas, traveling over that state and Colorado in search of favorable location. However, he became convinced that there was no better farming country any place than in Iowa, and in December, 1879, he took up his abode upon a farm in Union township. For a time he lived in the timber regions, chopping and hauling timber, and in this way he saved the capital that enabled him to purchase a small tract of timber land. This he cleared and placed under cultivation and in time it brought unto him profitable returns.
As the years have passed on he has kept adding to his place until he is today one of the most extensive land owners of the county, having about nineteen hundred acres in Union, Jackson, and Pleasant townships. In addition he has made judicious investment in town property, owning in Montezuma a good business block and three dwellings in addition to his own home. He was busily engaged in farming until he took up his abode in Montezuma nine years ago. Even now he gives considerable time and attention to the operation of his farm near the city, having, however, a man employed to carry on the work of the place. He is the owner of seventy-five head of draft horses, and when on the farm he fed about three hundred head of cattle each year. He has been extensively engaged in the live-stock business since 1882, and his splendid success indicates his superior business ability, his sound judgment and his unfaltering enterprise. He has a beautiful residence on West Main street near the business section of the city, and his success enables him to enjoy all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.
In December, 1879, occurred the marriage of Mr. Johnson and Martha E. Blaine, a native of Illinois, where her birth occurred in 1864. In early life she was brought to Poweshiek county by her parents, Josiah and Martha C. Blaine, both of whom are now deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have been born four children; Charles C., who was born February 24, 1881, and on the 22 of April, 1900 was killed by a horse; Ray, who married Gussie Stevens, by whom he has a son, Cannon, and now resides on one of his father’s farms north of Montezuma; Cliff, who also operates one of his father’s farms north of the city, and who married Maggie McClure, by whom he has three children, Fred, Virgil, and Grace; and Verna, who resides at home and is now attending school.
Mr Johnson belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and both he and his wife are connected with the Rebekah degree. He has every reason to be proud of what he has accomplished. He had no financial aid or assistance when he started out in life for himself. He realized, however, that industry and determination are a substantial basis for success, and he pinned his faith to those elements. He was careful in making investments and his sound judgment found its proof in the increasing value of the property which came into his possession. He is honored and respected by all for what he has accomplished and also for the straightforward and creditable business principles which he has always utilized in the attainment of his prosperity.

History of Poweshiek County Iowa
- A Record of Settlement, Organizations, Progress and Achievement, Vol. II
written by Prof. L. F. Parker.
Published by The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., in 1911
Pages 679-681