For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 150
SILAS L. JOHNSON. Silas L. Johnson, cashier of the German-American Savings bank of Muscatine, has made for himself a creditable position in financial circles, and his energy, systematic methods and careful management in the work entrusted to him have constituted an important element in the growth of the bank's busimess. A native of Iowa, he was born at Tipton, Cedar county, on the 22d of January, 1863, and is a son of Paul W. and Sarah ( Wiggins ) Johnson, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Pennsylvania. The father was a son of William Griffith Johnson, and he, too, was born in Ohio. He married Miss Drake, and on leaving the Buckeye state, removed to Iowa, settling in Cedar county, where he died at the ripe old age of seventy-three years. throughout the greater part of his life he followed school-teaching, and his labors were an element in educational development of this state. His family included Paul S., Silas D., Timothy, Eliza, Miranda and Matilda. The maternal grandfather of Silas Johnson was William Wiggins, a native of Maryland and of Quaker lineage. He made farming his life occupation and became a pioneer resident of Cedar county, Iowa, contributing in substantial measure to the early development and progress of that part of the state. He died there when eighty-eight years of age. His family numbered fifteen children, eight of whom reached years of maturity, Bazil, Mrs. Hester Glass, Mrs. Elizabeth Bagley, Mrs. Minerva McFarland, and four others who have long passed away.Paul W. Johnson became a school teacher in early manhood but afterward turned his attention to the occupation of farming. He dated his residence in Muscatine county from the fall of 1852, and through that winter was employed as a teacher in the school north of the city. He afterward removed to Cedar county, settling on a farm near Tipton, where his remaining days were passed, with the exception of two months spent in Wilton, where he died in 1884 at the age of sixty-three years. His wife survived until 1888, and passed away at the age of sixty-six years. Both were members of the Methodist church,and their well spent lives gained for them the high regard of a large circle of friends and acquaintances. Mr. Johnson served as township assessor of Center township, Cedar county, for seven consecutive terms, and also held various school offices the cause of education finding in him a warm friend. Unto him and his wife were born seven children, three sons, and four daughters, namely: Harriet J., the deceased wife of E. C. Rigby; John C., who has passed away; Anna, the wife of Rev. Thomas Simmons, of Faulkton, South Dakota; William G., living in Wilton; Martha B., the wife of Thomas Glass of Lewiston, Idaho; Silas L., of this city; and Minnie M., the wife of Frank Pangborn, of Faulkton, South Dakota.
Silas L. Johnson was reared upon the home farm in Cedar county, Iowa, and began his education in the district schools, while later he attended the Tipton high school and the Wilton academy. Liberal education thus qualified him for life's practical and responsible duties. He afterward turned his attention to the stock and grain business in which he continued in Wilton for ten years. He was then called to public office, being elected county treasurer, which caused his removal to Muscatine in 1894. His fidelity, capability and trustworthiness in office are indicated in the fact that he served for three terms as county treasurer, being chose to the position by the vote of his fellow citizens. He then became one of the organizers of the German-American Savings Bank and has continuously been its cashier. His business enterprise and unfaltering determination are elements in the success of the institution that has come to be regarded as one of the most safe and substantial financial concerns of the county.
In September, 1885, occurred the marriage of Mr. Johnson and Miss Evanella Bell, a native of Scott county, Iowa, and a daughter of Thomas and Mary J. ( Burch ) Bell. Her father was born in Ohio, and the mother, a native of Canada, removed to New York when a small child. They became early settlers of Scott county, Iowa, and later removed to Cedar county, while subsequently they became residents of Wilton, Muscatine county, and lastly went to Storm Lake, Iowa, where the father died when about eighty years of age. The mother is still living. In their family were seven children: James S., Mrs. Nancy J McClintock, Mrs. Carrie Anspach, Mrs. Luella Russell, Mrs. Bertha Venard, Thomas H., and Evanella, the wife of Silas L. Johnson. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have been born five children: Raymond E., Bessie L., Walter G., Mildred L., and Margaret. The eldest son is now filling the position of county treasurer and is mentioned elsewhere in this volume.
Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and their upright lives have gained for them the warm friendship of many with whom they have come in contact. Mr. Johnson belongs to Iowa Lodge No. 2, A. F. & A. M., of which he is secretary. He is also secretary of Washington Chapter, No. 4, R. A. M. He likewise belongs to Webb Council, No. 18, R. & S. M., Zarephath Consistory of Davenport and Kaaba Temple of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He likewise holds membership with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and he gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He resides at No. 312 Walnut street, where he has made his home for ten years. Honored and respected by all, no man in Muscatine enjoys a more enviable position in commercial and financial circles than Silas L. Johnson, not alone by reason of the success he has achieved but also owing to the straightforward business policy he has ever followed.
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