Johnson, Peter 1848 – 1921
JOHNSON, PETERSON, SIMLEY, BANDER
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 4/1/2015 at 16:50:18
PETER JOHNSON.
Peter Johnson is at the head of the firm of Peter Johnson & Sons of Decorah, which conducts one of the largest establishments of the kind in this part of the country, doing a heating and plumbing as well as general machine business and also operating a garage. His birth occurred in Hadeland, Norway, in March, 1848, his father being John Peterson, likewise a native of that place. The latter, being confronted and beset by hardships, determined to seek a home in the new world of promise and accordingly emigrated to the United States with his wife and two sons, Peter and Andrew. The family located near Koshkonong, Wisconsin, in 1852, where they remained for several years, Mr. Peterson being employed as a farm hand. In 1858 they went to Black Earth, Wisconsin, making the removal with a team of oxen. Mr. Peterson there entered land and began clearing and improving the property, to the cultivation of which he devoted his attention throughout the remainder of his life.
Peter Johnson, who was four years of age when brought by his parents to the United States, learned the blacksmith's trade in Wisconsin as soon as his age and strength permitted. He served as foreman of the Mandt Manufacturing Company for several years and subsequently came to Decorah, Winneshiek county, Iowa, here working at his trade in the employ of the Decorah Manufacturing Company for some time. He then formed a partnership with a Mr. Olson and for about five years was engaged in business as the junior member of the firm of Olson & Johnson. On selling out to Mr. Olson he established the enterprise which he now conducts and has since carried on a heating, plumbing and general machine business, operates a garage and also an automobile repair shop. The establishment is one of the largest of its kind in this part of the country and is equipped with all the latest and most modern machinery, while employment is furnished to fourteen men. In 1901 Mr. Johnson admitted his stepson, Oscar, to a partnership and in June, 1912, his sons, George and Melvin, became members of the firm, which was incorporated under the name of Peter Johnson & Sons. The gentleman at its head possesses splendid executive ability and sound judgment and the success which has attended his efforts is well merited.
Mr. Johnson has been married twice. He first wedded Miss Emma Simley, who passed away in 1887, leaving the following children: George W., Melvin, Alma, Nora, Ida, Isaac and Otis. For his second wife Mr. Johnson chose Mrs. Mary Bander. He owns a handsome residence at No. 714 McLane street. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Yeomen, while his religious faith is that of the Lutheran church.
Source: History of Winneshiek County, Iowa Vol. II Chicago the S. J. Clark Publishing Company 1913
Decorah Lutheran Cemetery gravestone
Winneshiek Biographies maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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