Weld County, History of Colorado, BIOS: JOHNS, Rudolph H. (published 1918)
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"History of Colorado", edited by Wilbur Fisk Stone, published by The S. J. 
Clarke Publishing Co. (1918)  Vol. II


p. 380, 382
photo p. 381


HON. RUDOLPH H. JOHNS.

	A spirit of enterprise actuated Rudolph H. Johns at every point 
in his career and he contributed most largely to the development, 
upbuilding and welfare of Weld county, where for many years he made his 
home, being an honored and valued resident of Greeley. He was born in 
Mansfield, Ohio, May 20, 1831, and was a son of William and Anna 
(Harley) Johns, who were natives of Pottstown, Pennsylvania, while 
their ancestors came from Germany. The father was a foundryman and 
operated a foundry in Mansfield, Ohio, at an early day, continuing in 
that line of business until he was called to his final rest. Both Mr. 
and Mrs. Johns have long since passed away.

	Hon. Rudolph H. Johns attended college in his native state, was 
married there and afterward removed to Mankato, Minnesota, where he 
resided for a time or until the 28th of November, 1873, when he came to 
Colorado, making Evans his destination. Later he took up his abode at 
Greeley, Weld county, and opened a livery stable, which he conducted 
for a short time. He then sold that property and went to Leadville, 
Colorado, where he resided for seven years, acting as classifier of 
ores at the smelting works in that place. On the expiration of the 
period he returned to Greeley with the intention of settling down and 
retiring from active business, but he was appointed postmaster on the 
22d of March, 1888, and served in the capacity for five years, proving 
one of the best incumbents in the office that Greeley has ever had. He 
was largely instrumental in establishing the free delivery system and 
he proved a very popular and prominent official, securing a new 
postoffice building for Greeley and doing everything in his power to 
advance the mail service of the community. He had been very successful 
in his business affairs while in Leadville and made considerable money. 
being paid the highest salary at the smelting works, while his wife 
received an equal salary. They made wise investment of their earnings 
and their property holdings steadily increased. Mrs. Callie Johns still 
owns some of this property. Mr. Johns also conducted a grocery business 
for five years but retired from mercantile pursuits on account of his 
health. He was ill for about four years prior to his death, which 
occurred on the 28th of November, 1904, when he had reached the age of 
seventy-three years and six months.

	In early manhood Mr. Johns was united in marriage to Miss Jennie 
Moore and to them were born two daughters. Minnie became the wife of M. 
R. Espie and had three children, two daughters and a son, and the two 
daughters are married and have children. Jennie H. Johns is a resident 
of San Francisco. The wife and mother passed away June 17, 1857, and on 
the 16th of July, 1874, Mr. Johns was married again, his second union 
being with Callie Moore, a daughter of John and Harriett M. (Briggs) 
Moore, who were natives of Nichols. New York. Her father was a farmer 
and merchant and always resided in the Empire state where his death 
occurred. His wife passed away March 23. 1877, To the second marriage 
of Mr. Johns was born a daughter, Georgia Anna, who died in infancy.

	Mr. Johns served in several public offices in Greeley, the duties 
of which he discharged with marked promptness and fidelity. He was a 
very prominent Mason and served as master of his lodge for two years. 
In an early day he engaged in freighting from Greeley to the Black 
Hills for a year, at which time Indians were not only very numerous but 
maintained a most hostile attitude toward the white people. Mrs. Johns 
accompanied her husband on these trips and for eight months of that 
year she did not sleep in a house. Many a morning she awoke in a snow 
storm. That conditions have greatly changed is indicated in her present 
fine home at No. 1803 Tenth avenue in Greeley, where she is surrounded 
by all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. In his 
political views Mr. Johns was a stalwart democrat but never an office 
seeker. His religious faith was that of the Presbyterian church and he 
guided his life according to its teachings, his entire career ever 
being that of an honorable and upright man, who well merited the 
confidence, respect and regard uniformly tendered him.