Johnson, Melvin Hugh

JOHNSON

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 6/23/2021 at 11:28:18

Source: History of Warren County, Iowa, by Gerard Schultz and Don L. Berry, The Record and Tribune Co., Indianola, Iowa, 1953, p.314

MELVIN HUGH JOHNSON
Melvin H. Johnson, farmer of Greenfield Township, was born near Norwalk Nov. 4, 1895, the son of Henry and Eliza (Allen) Johnson. His father, Henry Johnson, was born about one-half mile east of old Lothrop June 20, 1847, soon after what is now Warren County was opened to white settlement. He was born in what is now Jefferson township three years before the township was organized. Lewis Johnson, the grandfather of Melvin H. Johnson, was born in Ohio Sept. 16, 1813, and came to Iowa with his family during the early days of its settlement. He married Ann Vance, who was born Oct. 31, 1812, in Pennsylvania. Henry Johnson was one of the children born to this marriage. Following the death of his first wife, Lewis Johnson married Nancy Hook, who was born Aug. 4, 1835.
June 20, 1917, Mr. Johnson married Iva Kathryn Thomas, daughter of Otis M. and Josephine (Gregg) Thomas. Mrs. Johnson was born in Allen Township, Warren County, Sept. 8, 1898. Children born to the Johnsons are: Hugh Merrill, Aug. 8, 1920; Ralph Noel, Jan. 15, 1922; Gertrude Leone, Aug. 1, 1923; Byron Earl, Aug. 5, 1925; Harold Leonard, May 31, 1930; Doyle Howard, Aug. 10, 1936. Hugh and Ralph drowned when they were 11 and 13 years of age, respectively. Gertrude married Dale Lytton; Byron married Dorothy Blackford; Harold married Nadine King; Doyle is still at home.
During World War I Melvin H. Johnson served with the 34th division from Sept. 17, 1917, to April 12, 1919. He has been on his present farm, located in Greenfield and Linn townships, since the spring of 1928. His religious affiliation is with the Methodist Church. His political ties are with the Republican Party.