Julius Johnson
A resident of Stockholm township for more than forty years and one of its successful farmers, Julius Johnson clearly deserves a place in a record devoted to the citizens of Crawford county. He has demonstrated in his life the possibilities under American institutions for any deserving young man who aspires to a competency so that he and his family may enjoy the advantages of a comfortable home. Mr. Johnson started at the very foot of the ladder financially and has now reached a position of independence.
He is a native of Sweden, born December 23, 1845, the son of John and Kathrina Johnson, both of whom passed their entire lives in the old country.
Julius Johnson was reared under the parental roof and received his education in the common schools, continuing at home until twenty-three years of age. Believing that he could make better progress in the new world, he crossed the ocean to America and arrived in Crawford county, Iowa, on the 15th of June, 1869. He found work on a railroad at Denison and continued for five years as a railroad laborer, after which he spent one summer in Chicago. However, he was not satisfied with the city and he returned to this county, having decided to establish here his permanent home. In 1876 he bought eighty acres of land on section 20, Stockholm township, and later acquired eighty acres more on the same section, making a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which he has improved and brought to a high state of productiveness. He engaged in general farming and has made his place one of the most valuable of its size in this part of the county.
In 1877 Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Benson, who was born in Sweden, November 14, 1848, a daughter of Bent and Bertha (Pearson) Benson, both of whom were natives of Sweden.
Mr. Johnson started as a common laborer and by diligence and economy attained the enviable position he now occupies. He has been most ably assisted by his wife, who attended faithfully to the duties of the household, while her husband worked in the fields. They reared their children to habits of industry, thus making them useful and honorable members of society. Mr. Johnson gives his support to the prohibition party, and he and his wife take an active interest in the affairs of the neighborhood and are greatly esteemed by many friends and acquaintances.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.