Johnson, W. J.

JOHNSON, BENTLEY

Posted By: Gary Norris (email)
Date: 2/18/2013 at 07:50:38

The History of Poweshiek County, Iowa
Des Moines: Union Hist. Co., 1880.

JOHNSON, W.J.—Malcom Twp—pg 865-6. Railroad agent, Malcom. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, March 15, 1840, and was there raised until about nine years of age, when, with his parents, he moved to Wheeling, Virginia, and resided there until 1857. His occupation was that of a mercantile clerk until his seventeenth year, when he learned the trade of carpenter and house builder, which he followed until 1862, when he enlisted, August 13th of the same year, in company E, Twentieth Iowa infantry, participating in the following battles: Prairie Grove, Arkansas, Siege of Vicksburg, Siege of Fort Morgan, Alabama, Siege of Blakely. Was appointed courier on the staff of General Steele. He was often pursued but always escaped. He was honorably discharged August 3, 1865. He then went to Davenport and engaged in house building. He moved to this county July 10, 1866, and engaged in the mercantile business in Brooklyn. Resided there a short time then disposed of his business and moved to Malcom and engaged in the same business. He erected the first building in Malcom. He accepted the position of railroad agent in March, 1868, which position he still holds. He was married in August, 1862, to Miss A.E. Bentley, of Davenport, Iowa. They have five children: Ella R., Clifton L., May Elizabeth, George S., Edith Estella. They have lost one. He is a prominent member of Masonic lodges. He was appointed township trustee, which office has held five years, besides other city offices.