Tehama County CA Archives Biographies.....Johnson, Andrew 1827 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ca/cafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com February 18, 2007, 6:31 pm Author: Lewis Publishing Co. (1891) ANDREW JOHNSON is one of the early settlers of California, one who has risen by his own exertions from a poor young man to a wealthy, prominent rancher and stock-raiser of Tehama County. He came to California in April, 1854, and has since made this his home. A brief sketch of Mr. Johnson is as follows: He was born in Sweden, October 26, 1827, the eldest son of John and Katharine Johnson. His parents were strict adherents of the Lutheran faith. Andrew was reared on a farm and educated in his native land. He was early taught the valuable lessons of frugality, honesty and industry. Before coming to this country he learned the shoe-maker's trade. When Mr. Johnson landed in San Francisco he did not know a word of English. He secured a chance to work his passage from San Francisco to Red Bluff. He soon observed how to be an efficient deck hand. When they got to the end of the journey, the captain handed Mr. Johnson five dollars in gold, and he went his way rejoicing. After this he tried mining, but met with poor success. In traveling north on foot he stopped at Cottonwood one evening. The cook, with his apron on, was making an awkward attempt to chop some wood. An idea struck Mr. Johnson. He thoughtif he could get a hold of the ax and chop some wood he could get a supper and not need to break his five-dollar piece; accordingly he went to work. The landlord of the hotel was impressed by his industry, and at once offered him work. He remained here until he had saved from his earnings $500, which he had hidden away in a soda box. Sore luck for him, he was stricken of a fever and during the greater time of his sickness was delirious, and probably confided to those who chanced to be around the whereabouts of his money; for when he was well enough to look for his treasure, all that remained was the box! You can hardly imagine forlornness more graphically depicted than it was in Mr. Johnson as he beat his way back to Red Bluff in torn trousers, an almost crownless hat, and his sole possession a mule of impaired strength. Fortunately, just as his hopes were at lowest ebb, a teamster, whom he happened to meet, offered him a horse and twenty-five dollars to boot for the mule. The offer was quickly accepted. At Red Bluff the horse brought seventy-five dollars. With this he at once set up a shoe shop. Prospects brightened. At the end of three years he saved $3,000. Mr. Johnson now concluded to return to his native land. He found his mother in poor circumstances, made her a visit, and leaving her with plenty, returned to America, bringing with him two sisters and a brother to Chicago. He traveled through the northwestern States, but finding nothing to suit him resolved to try California again. In Red Bluff he reopened his shoe shop, and a year later purchased eighty acres of land nine miles west of Red Bluff. From time to time he has made additions to the property until he now has 7,000 acres of land good for general farming, while his ample ranges has pastured at times a flock of 8,000 sheep, besides a number of cattle and horses. While in Chicago in 1859 Mr. Johnson was married to Miss Augustine Petersen, a native of Sweden. Eight children have been born to them, viz.: John Amandus, Selma B., Elmer A., Anna A, Andrew L., Edith K., Arthur E. and Beatrice J. The eldest daughter, Selma B., was married in 1884 to Mr. Manfred Olinder, and lives in Santa Clara County. John Amandus, the eldest son, was married also in 1884, to Sylvia Irene Eby, and lives at Fall River, Shasta County. Mr. Johnson has always been a Republican. He is a man of strong will power, full of energy and enterprise. With the aid of an excellent wife, his life in California has been a success. Additional Comments: Extracted from Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California. Illustrated, Containing a History of this Important Section of the Pacific Coast from the Earliest Period of its Occupancy to the Present Time, together with Glimpses of its Prospective Future; Full-Page Steel Portraits of its most Eminent Men, and Biographical Mention of many of its Pioneers and also of Prominent Citizens of To-day. "A people that takes no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote descendents." – Macauley. CHICAGO THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY 1891. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/tehama/bios/johnson727gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/cafiles/ File size: 4.9 Kb