MARTIN JOHNSON

View Portrait of Martin Johnson and Family

Martin Johnson, living on section 4, Fremont township, is one of the Civil war veterans. The old soldiers are fast passing away and the country cannot pay too large a tribute of praise to those who survive because of what they did for their country. In the great majority of cases, too, they have proven themselves worthy citizens in days of peace. Such has been the record of Martin Johnson, now numbered with the prosperous and progressive farmers of Fremont township. He owns and cultivates one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 4, constituting a neat and well improved farm and since 1871 has been numbered among the settlers of Cedar county. His birth occurred in Morrow county, Ohio, January 8, 1843, and he was reared upon the home farm there to the age of seventeen years when his patriotism was aroused by the attempt of the south to overthrow the union and although a boy, offered his services to the government in September, 1861, joining Company C of the Fifteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, going to the front as a musician. He went south with his command and participated in the battles of Shiloh, Mission Ridge, Chickamauga, and Stone River. There he was taken prisoner and after three weeks’ incarceration in Libby prison was exchanged. He went again to his regiment, joining his comrades on the battlefield of Murfreesboro. He veteranized in the winter of 1864 and was granted a month’s furlough, after which he returned home. He then went to the front again and served with his regiment until the close of the war, being mustered out at San Antonio, Texas, in the winter of 1865. Thus he was on active duty for four years and three months and then returned to Columbus, Ohio, where he was honorably discharged on the 28th of December, 1865.

Immediately afterward Mr. Johnson returned home and soon sought a home in the middle west. Coming to Ogle county, Illinois, he and his brother-in-law rented land, which they cultivated until 1871. In that year he went to Kansas, where he prospected and secured a location. Subsequently he returned to Iowa, where he established his permanent home. Here he purchased eighty acres of raw prairie land which he at once began to improve and develop. He built a small house and kept bachelor’s quarters for a time. Later he bought eighty acres adjoining and the second tract was partially broken. Soon he planted the fields and in the course of time gathered good harvests. Subsequently he erected a commodious two-story dwelling, built two barns, corn cribs and other outbuildings. The place is fenced now with woven wire and is divided into fields of convenient size by fences that also protect the grain from the stock. An additional purchase of eighty acres in Jones county, which corners upon his home farm makes him the owner of two hundred and forty acres of valuable and productive land. He deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, as he started out in life empty-handed and his diligence and energy have been strong forces in his success. He likewise owns one hundred and sixty acres of prairie land in South Dakota and his holdings are the visible evidence of his life of well directed industry and thrift.

Mr. Johnson was married in Cedar county on the 16th of November, 1871, to Miss Clara A. Boyles, who was born in Pennsylvania, but was reared in Cedar county, her father, Jefferson Boyles, being one of the early settlers, who came to this county from Pennsylvania. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have been born six children: Ira W., who is married and resides in South Dakota; Harry, who assists in the operation of the home farm; Della, the wife of J. T. Gilbert, living at Franklin Grove, Illinois; Augusta, the wife of J. Wilkins of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Elsie, who is with her sister, Mrs. Wilkins; and Minnie, who occupies a position in the business circles of Des Moines.

Mr. Johnson exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and is also a believer in the cause of temperance. The honorsand emoluments of office, however, have had no attraction for him, as he has preferred to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Mechanicsville, while he belongs to the Grand Army post at Stanwood. He is preeminently a business man, diligent and determined, his time and attention being given in undivided measure to his business affairs. In addition to tilling the soil he breeds shorthorn cattle and he has been engaged in dealing in that class of stock for thirty years. He now has a herd of sixty head of pure blooded high grade shorthorns and he also raises Duroc Jersey hogs. He sells his cattle on the grass and all are in good order. He fattens a large number of hogs each year. In his business dealings he is meeting with prosperity, his judgment is seldom if ever at fault in matters relating to agricultural lines and in no business transaction has he ever been known to take advantage of the necessities of a fellowman. His is indeed a creditable record and his loyalty in citizenship as manifested in his youthful days, when he defended the union cause, have also characterized his later life.