For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 149
RAYMOND EUGENE JOHNSON. Muscatine County has been signally favored in the class of man who have occupied her public offices, for they have usually been distinguished by a spirit of devotion to the public good and have displayed capability in the discharge of their various duties. A worthy representative of the office holders at the present time is Raymond Eugene Johnson, who by appointment was made the custodian of the public funds, filling the position of county treasurer at the present time. He was born at Wilton, Iowa, March 26, 1886, and is therefore yet a young man, but he belongs to one of the well known and most highly respected families of the county and besides has given proof of his ability and his trustworthiness. His grandparents, Paul and Sarah ( Wiggins ) Johnson, had located in Muscatine county in 1852. The former was a native of Ohio and the latter of Pennsylvania. In early manhood he had followed school teaching but later gave his attention to farming, becoming one of the leading and progressive agriculturalists of this part of the state. Unto him and his wife were born seven children: Harriet J., the deceased wife of E. C. Rigby; John C.,deceased; Anna, the wife of the Rev. Thomas Simmons, of Faulkton, South Dakota; William G., who is living in Wilton, Iowa; Martha B., the wife of Thomas Glass, of Lewiston, Idaho; Silas L., of Muscatine; and Minnie M., the wife of Frank Pangborn, of Faulkton, South Dakota.Silas L. Johnson, the father of Raymond E. Johnson, was born in Iowa and was reared upon a farm in Cedar county. He took up farming and stock-raising as his life work and followed that pursuit for many years with substantial success. In 1894 he removed to Muscatine, having been elected to the office of county treasurer, which position he filled for six years. He then became cashier of the German American Savings Bank, which position he still fills, and his name is an honored one in the financial circles of the county. His business ability is widely recognized and he is numbered with those whose progressive citizenship constituted an important factor in the gradual developement and progress of the community. He married Miss Evanella Bell, also a native of Iowa and a daughter of Thomas and Mary Jane ( Burch ) Bell. Her father was a native of Ohio and became one of the early settlers of this state where he followed the occupation of farming. He died when past eighty years of age and is still survived by his widow. Their living children are James S., Nannie, Luella, Bertha, Thomas, Carrie and Evanella. The last named became the wife of Silas L. Johnson and unto their marriage were born two sons and three daughters, Raymond Eugege, Mildred, Margaret, Bessie and Walter. The parents hold membership in the Methodist church and are among the most highly esteemed residents of Muscatine, the hospitality of the best homes here being cordially extended them.
Raymond Eugene Johnson was reared in Wilton, Iowa, to the age of eight years, when his parents removed to Muscatine and here he pursued his education in the public schools and also in the Muscatine Business College, from which he was graduated. He entered business life as an employee in the cost department of the Roach & Musser Sash & Door Company, with which he remained for about two years. He then became city collector for the Muscatine Journal and in January, 1908, was appointed to the position of deputy county treasurer under C. R. Stafford. In 1909 he was appointed deputy treasurer by A. C. Shiflet, who resigned and Mr. Johnson was then appointed to the office that was made vacant and which he is still filling, although only twenty-four years of age. His previous experience as deputy well qualified him for the duties that devolve upon him and which he is most capably discharging.
On the 22d of May, 1907, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Edna Ryan, a daughter of Charles H. and Nettie ( Lockwood ) Ryan. They have one son, Charles S., who is with his parents in a pleasant home at No. 306 East Eighth street.
Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are members of the Methodist church and his political belief is indicated in the support which he gives to the republican party at the polls. He belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen and is a prominent Mason, holding membership with Iowa Lodge, No.2, A. F. &. A. M.; Washington Chapter No. 4, R. A. M.; De Molay Commandery, No. 1, K. T.; and Kaaba Temple N. M. S., of Davenport. He is regarded as an exemplary representative of the craft, being most loyal to the teachings of the fraternnity, and moreover is a citizen of worth, popular in social circles, faithful in office and at all times loyal in citizenship. His entire life has been passed in this county and his history is an open book which all may read.
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