Melvin Johnson

JOHNSON, NELSON, ERICKSON, HALVERSON

Posted By: Peter Gausmann (email)
Date: 1/1/2010 at 07:04:22

MELVIN JOHNSON

Melvin Johnson was born on the farm on section 14, Ellington township, Hancock county, on which he now resides, the date of his birth being November 18, 1888. His father, Charles Johnson, is a native of Norway and on attaining his majority severed the ties which bound him to that land and crossed the Atlantic to America, becoming a resident of Clayton county, Iowa. In the '80s he removed to Hancock county and purchased a farm on section 14, Ellington township, which is now the old family homestead. Year after year lie carefully and persistently tilled the soil and harvested golden crops, thus winning the success that now enables him to live retired. He continued to cultivate his land until 1909, when he put aside business cares and now makes his home in Miller. He married Nettie Halverson, who passed away in 1910.

Melvin Johnson was one of a family of six children and his youthful days were spent upon the old home farm where he still resides and which is therefore endeared to him through the associations of his boyhood as well as of his manhood. After attaining adult age he rented the old home place, which he has since cultivated. His public school education was supplemented by two terms of college training, which qualified him for life's practical and responsible duties. His life has been characterized by diligence and determination and as the years have gone on success has attended his efforts in the cultivation and improvement of the home farm.

In 1912 Mr. Johnson was married to Miss Marvea Nelson, a native of Forest City, Iowa, and a daughter of Andrew and Betsy (Erickson) Nelson, who were born in Sweden but in childhood came to the new world. They are now residents of Ellington township, Hancock county. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have one son, Arlo C., who was born May 7, 1914. The parents are members of the Baptist church, while in political faith Mr. Johnson is a republican. He is well known, being a lifelong resident of his community, and his record is as an open book which all may read.

Source: History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Vol. II. Pioneer Publishing Company (Chicago), 1917. p. 277-278.