John A. Johnson Biography


	This biography appears on page 750 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. I (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

	This file may be freely copied by individuals and non-profit 
	organizations for their private use. 

	Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval 
	system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other 
	means requires the written approval of the file's author.

	This file is part of the SDGENWEB Archives. If you arrived here 
	Inside a frame or from a link from somewhere else, our front door 
	is at

	http://www.usgwarchives.net/sd/sdfiles.htm


JOHN A. JOHNSON. - The home farm of John A. Johnson is a well 
developed property situated in Yankton county not far from Irene. The 
owner was born in Norway April 29, 1867, and is a son of Jonas and 
Olena Johnson. The father came to Yankton county in 1886, settling on 
section 35, Mayfield township. He had only a few days before arrived in 
America and South Dakota was his destination for he had heard of the 
favorable opportunities here afforded for advancement in the business 
world. Becoming identified with farming interests, he here continued 
his work until called to his final rest, on the 17th of April, 1899, 
while his wife died October 24, 1900. In the family were six children: 
Einer, John A., Nettha, Olive, Christina and Gena.  

In his father's home John A. Johnson was reared and the public 
schools of his native county afforded him his educational privileges. 
He was a young man of about nineteen when he crossed the Atlantic and 
became identified with farming interests in Yankton county. As a 
companion and helpmate for the journey of life he chose Miss Bertha 
Larson and they were married in 1894. The lady is a daughter of Magnus 
Larson, who came to this county at an early day. Mrs. Johnson passed 
away on the 24th of March, 1902, leaving two children, Martin and Lena, 
who are still with their father.  

The home farm of Mr. Johnson comprises one hundred and sixty 
acres of land, all under a high state of cultivation with the exception 
of a tract of thirty acres He has made excellent improvements upon his 
place, including the erection of a fine residence in 1902. Two years 
before he built large and substantial barns and other outbuildings upon 
his place with abundant shelter for grain and stock. He makes a 
specialty of the raising of shorthorn cattle- and Poland-China hogs and 
in addition he produces good crops in his well tilled fields. His 
desirable property, neat and thrifty in appearance, stands as a 
monument to his life of industry and enterprise and he is widely 
recognized as one of the more progressive and successful young farmers 
of Yankton county. He holds membership in the Lutheran church and in 
his political views he is a Republican. His fellow townsmen, 
recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to public office and 
he is now serving as township treasurer, and a member of the Republican 
central committee. He is also a shareholder and director in the 
Farmers' Co-operative Stock Company, of Irene. South Dakota