J. A. Johnson

JOHNSON

Posted By: Gordon Felland (email)
Date: 1/4/2005 at 23:07:45

J. A. Johnson, butter maker and manager of the Fertile Cooperative Creamery of Fertile, Worth county, was born across the boundary line in Winneshiek county on the 19th of May, 1872, and is a son of Andrew and Carrie (Muxter) Johnson, both of whom were born near Bergen, Norway, where they were reared and married. Their wedding journey, however, consisted of a trip to the United States. This was in the early '60s and they made their way across the country to Winneshiek county, Iowa. After a few years there passed they removed to Worth county and the father purchased land in Fertile township from the government. Not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made upon the place, but with characteristic energy he began the development of that tract. He afterward removed to Cerro Gordo county, Iowa, where he resided for many years, but when he had retired from active business life he purchased a town house in Fertile and there spent his remaining days, passing away August 15, 1912. His widow still resides in Fertile and is now in her seventieth year.

J.A. Johnson was educated in the district schools and assisted his father upon the home farm up to the time of attaining his majority. After reaching his twenty-first year he worked as a farm hand in his home neighborhood for two years and on the 7th of February, 1897, accepted a position with the Fertile Cooperative Creamery Company as a helper. He was quick to learn the business of butter making and a year later was advanced to the position of manager of the plant, in which important capacity he has since served. The business has prospered under his efficient management and in 1908 the company erected a modern brick building with the most thoroughly up-to-date equipment to be had it that time. The company has its own ice plant and everything known in connection with modern methods of butter making. The product is of most excellent quality and finds a ready sale on the market. In addition to his connection with the creamery Mr. Johnson owns a farm of eighty acres just across the line in Cerro Gordo county, three miles southwest of Fertile.

In 1898 Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Mattie Fankell, a daughter of William Fankell, who was one of the first settlers of Cerro Gordo county, having come to this state in 1850 from Ohio. To this union have been born two daughters, Ruth and Rena, both at home.

In his political views Mr. Johnson is a stalwart republican and was a member of the first town council after the incorporation of Fertile. He has also served as town treasurer for the past four years and is loyal to the best interests the community, doing everything in his power to advance those interests which are a matter of civic virtue and of civic pride. He served as secretary of the Fertile Rod & Gun Club, as secretary of the Yeoman Lodge and secretary o the Modern Brotherhood of America. He is a member of the Christian church and while his business activities have constantly increased in volume and importance, he has never allowed material interests to so monopolize his time that he has had no opportunity for cooperation in those movements and activity which make for the civic and moral up building of the county and the commonwealth.

Source: History of Mitchell and Worth Counties, Iowa, Volume II, 1918, Pages 11 & 12.