Saguache County CO Archives Biographies.....Johnson, Wallace Abijah September 13, 1859 - ?
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Judy Crook jlcrook@rof.net March 8, 2006, 3:49 pm

Author: Progressive Men of Western Colorado

     A resident of Colorado since 1889, Wallace A. Johnson, of Saguache county,

has during the last fifteen years been actively engaged in the various

industries carried on in the locality of his residence, and has shown himself to

be a far-seeing and resourceful man, never without employment of importance, and

always at the front in projects for the improvement of the region and the

advantage of its people.  He has capacity for carrying on affairs of magnitude,

and in a sparsely settled region, as this was when he came here, such men are of

especial value.  Mr. Johnson was born near Van Wert, Ohio, on September 13,

1859, and is the son of Joseph H. and Mary A. (Goodwin) Johnson, who were born

and reared in Ohio and lived in Iowa from 1861 to 1889, part of the time in Polk

county and the remainder at Garden Grove in Decatur county.  In April, 1889,

they came to Colorado, and until 1892 lived in Saguache county, then moved to

Rio Grande county, where they resided eight years, returning to Saguache in

1900.  The father was a farmer and school teacher in Ohio, but in Iowa and

Colorado he gave his whole attention to ranching and raising stock.  He is an

unwavering Republican in politics, and a progressive man in all matters of local

improvement.  Of the nine children in the family Alice and Frederick have died,

and Wallace A., Mrs. Charles S. Dick, Frank, Flora, Mrs. Andrew Gemmill, Davis

B. and Nerva are living.  Wallace obtained his education in the public schools

and in two terms at the graded schools of Iowa Center.  The necessity for his

labor on the homestead limited his opportunities, but enabled him to form early

in life habits of industry and self-reliance.  In 1879 he formed a partnership

with his father to carry on the farming interests of the family, and this

continued until 1890.  For a year thereafter he was engaged in saw-mill work,

and during this period he aided in building the Gotthelf store at Saguache. 

From 1891 to 1893 he was associated with the Gotthelf Mercantile Company, and in

the latter year he bought the stage line between Saguache and Villagrove, and

operated it in partnership with his brother Frank.  In the spring of 1894 he

sold his interest in this to his brother and returned to his former connection

with the Gotthelf Mercantile Company, with which he continued in the same

capacity until April, 1898, when he became a full partner with Isaac Gotthelf in

the cattle industry, and to this he has since given his exclusive attention,

together with the ranching interests connected with it.  Their ranch comprises

twelve hundred acres and is located near the town of Saguache.  The business is

carried on extensively, Mr. Johnson being an exceptionally fine judge of cattle,

and a manager of a high order of capacity and vigor.  In political matters he

loyally supports the Republican party from earnest conviction, and never

withholds his efficient services when the party needs them.  He has served many

years as chairman of its local committees.  After the nomination of the late

President McKinley in 1896, he remained true to his faith, and was the only firm

and unyielding Republican in the county.  He is a third-degree Freemason, a

self-made and prosperous man, and a prominent citizen, everywhere known and very

popular in all portions of the county.  On November 22, 1881, he united in

marriage with Miss Hannah Quayle, a native of the Isle of Man.  They have had

six children, three of whom died in infancy, and a son named Frank L. was killed

by lightning on June 21, 1900.  The living children are their sons Curt and

Charles.  

Additional Comments:
From Progressive Men of Western Colorado.  Chicago:  A.W. Bowen & Co., 1905

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/co/saguache/bios/johnson242gbs.txt

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