Homer W. Johnson Biography


	This biography appears on pages 934-935 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. I (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	HOMER W. JOHNSON. - On other pages of this publication appears a 
sketch of the career of Hon. Edwin S. Johnson, brother of the subject 
and his associate in business, and in the connection is given an 
adequate outline of the family history, so that a recapitulation at 
this point is not demanded. Hon. Homer W. Johnson, present state 
senator of South Dakota from the eighth senatorial district, and 
secretary and treasurer of the Johnson Brothers Company, one of the 
most extensive real-estate and loan concerns in the state, is one of 
the leading citizens of Douglas county, maintaining his residence and 
business headquarters in the thriving town of Armour, of which he is 
one of the founders and builders. Mr. Johnson is a native of the state 
of Iowa, having been born in Osceola, Clarke county, on the 16th of 
March, 1859. Of the early steps in his career, as well as of his later 
life, an outline has been given in an edition of the Armour Herald, and 
to the same we have recourse at this juncture "A common-school 
education in the educational institution of his home town was all that 
young Johnson was able to obtain. and in 1877, at the age of eighteen 
years, he took the position of deputy recorder of deeds, his father at 
that time being the recorder of Clarke county. He filled this position 
four years and thus obtained a thorough knowledge of and insight into 
all matters pertaining to conveyancing papers and abstract work, and of 
late years he has turned this knowledge to wonderful account-as a 
money-producing agency. After leaving the recorder's office Mr. Johnson 
went to Corning, Iowa, where he secured a position in the Sigler Bank, 
having charge of the land-mortgage department of the business for three 
years, at the expiration of which he removed to Council Bluffs, where 
he became land examiner for the firm of Burnham, Tulleys & Company. At 
the end of the first year he became a partner in the firm and removed 
to Sioux Falls, Dakota, where he opened a branch office, in 1882, loans 
being made throughout southwestern Minnesota, northwestern Iowa and 
southeastern Dakota. This leads up to the formation of the partnership 
with his brother Edwin S., in Douglas county, Dakota, and the 
establishment of their interests here. The subject became interested 
with his brother in the banking business and was president of the 
Citizens' State Bank of Armour, from the time of its organization until 
June, 1903. when he and his brother disposed of their interests in this 
institution, as well as of their banking interests in Geddes, this 
state, and Hornick, Iowa, the demands of their extensive real-estate 
and loan business requiring their undivided attention.  

	"The subject of this sketch, like his brother Edwin, has always 
been a force in local politics and he was affiliated with the 
Republican party up to 1898, when he formally severed his connection 
with the same, his convictions leading him to disapprove of the 
specific policies of the party, and in 1900 he was made the nominee of 
the Fusionists for state senator, carrying the district by more than 
one hundred majority, while the national Republican ticket secured a 
majority of about two hundred. Thus was his personal popularity 
attested by hundreds of citizens throughout the eighth senatorial 
district, who, when the opportunity was thus offered, gave him their 
unqualified support, as a testimonial of their confidence in his 
ability and strict integrity." In the election of November, 1902, Mr. 
Johnson was returned to the senate, by a majority of two hundred 
twenty-four, although the Republican state ticket carried his district 
by about five hundred majority, he having been the nominee of the 
Democratic party, to which he gives his allegiance, being one of the 
important figures in its councils in this state and being known as a 
man of distinctive business ability and as one who gives to his 
constituency the best that is in his power to accord in their service. 
He is a member of a number of important committees in the senatorial 
body and is one of its most active and faithful working members, ever 
aiming to conserve wise and effective legislation and to advance the 
interests of the state of which he is a pioneer and a most leal and 
loyal citizen. Of him and his brother it has been consistently said 
that they are the same jolly, honorable, sociable fellows that they 
were when working for their daily bread at one dollar and fifty cents a 
day. The accumulation of wealth has made no change in them, and a 
pleasant word and cordial greeting are always received by their 
hundreds of personal friends." The third member of the Johnson Brothers 
Company is Frank H. Johnson, who is vice-president of the company and 
president of the Charles Mix County Bank, at Geddes. He was born in 
March, 1867, at Osceola, Iowa, and was married there to Miss Candus 
Folger. Four children have been born to them, all of whom are living. 
He is a man of sterling character and fine business qualifications, and 
is respected and honored by all who know him. He has been a resident of 
South Dakota for eighteen years.