Edwin S. Johnson Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1078-1079 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				EDWIN S. JOHNSON. 

	Edwin S. Johnson is a banker and capitalist living at Yankton. 
With the substantial development and progress of the state he has been 
closely associated, and though his life has been rather one of modest 
reserve than of ambitious self-seeking, he has shown himself the peer 
of the leading business men of the state and his efforts have been an 
important element in the substantial growth of the northwest. 

	Mr. Johnson was born on a farm near Spencer, Owen county, 
Indiana, February 26, 1857, and is a son of Allison C. and Emily 
(Brenton) Johnson. The father was a representative of an old Virginian 
family that at an early day removed to Indiana, casting in their lot 
with the pioneer settlers. It was in the Hoosier state that Allison C. 
Johnson was born in 1827 and upon the home farm he was reared, with the 
usual experiences of the lad who spends his boyhood and youth on the 
western frontier. His wife was also born in Indiana, in the year 1832, 
and after their marriage they began their domestic life upon a farm in 
that state, the father there continuing to carry on general 
agricultural pursuits until 1857, when with his wife and two children 
he removed westward to Iowa, settling in Osceola. The trip was made 
overland in a covered wagon, after the primitive manner of travel in 
those days. After reaching Osceola, Mr. Johnson became connected with 
merchandising and with the real-estate business and so continued until 
1886. In that year he removed to South Dakota, joining his sons at 
Armour, where his last days were passed, his death occurring on the 5th 
of January, 1899. For a brief period he had survived his wife, who died 
in December, 1895. They were both active, helpful and consistent 
members of the Methodist Episcopal] church, taking a deep interest in 
all departments of the church work and doing all in their power to 
further its growth and extend its influence. Mr. Johnson was also an 
influential] factor in the Sunday school work and his life was ever 
guided by the most high and honorable principles. At one time he served 
as register of deeds in Clarke county, Iowa. 

	To him and his wife were born ten children, of whom six reached 
adult age, as follows: Eudora, who gave her hand in marriage to Byron 
Allen, of Sioux City, Iowa; Edwin S., of this review; Homer W., who is 
associated in business with his brother, Edwin; Belle J., the wife of 
W. W. Sparks, of Sioux City, Iowa; Frank H., a resident of Geddes, 
South Dakota: and Cornelia, who is the wife of Dr. P. E. Sawyer, of 
Sioux City, Iowa. 

	Edwin S. Johnson, whose name introduces this review, was reared 
to manhood in Osceola, Iowa, to which place his parents removed when he 
was yet an infant. He was educated there and in 1876, when a youth of 
nineteen years, engaged in the clothing and furnishing goods business 
with his father at that place. In 1880 he went to Wheeler county, 
Nebraska. becoming a pioneer settler there, and established the county 
seat of Cedar City, now Harrington, upon his claim. Later, however, he 
disposed of his interests there and returned to Osceola, where he 
entered the Osceola Bank, in which he was employed for three years.

	In 1884, in company with his brother, Homer, who at that time was 
a resident of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Mr. Johnson went to Douglas 
county and established the Citizens Bank at Grandview. The project 
prospered from the beginning and from that time to the present Edwin S. 
Johnson has figured prominently in connection with the financial 
interests of the state, making gradual advancement in his business 
career until he stands today among the leading bankers and capitalists 
of the commonwealth. Early in the period of his residence in South 
Dakota he studied law and was admitted to the bar of this state in 
1888, but has since given little time to practice, although his 
knowledge of law has been of inestimable benefit and value to him in 
the conduct of his Private business interests. In 1892 he was elected 
states attorney for Douglas county and in 1894 became one of the 
lawmakers of South Dakota, having been elected a member of the state 
senate. While connected with the upper house of the general assembly he 
gave most earnest attention to all the questions which came up for 
consideration and his support of or opposition to a measure indicated 
his firm belief in its value or in its deleterious results. In 1896 he 
became a Bryan democrat, severing his ties with the republican party, 
which he had previously supported. He is today a stanch advocate of 
democracy and does everything in his power to promote the growth and 
advance the success of the party. Mr. Johnson has aided in molding the 
policy of the party, having been chairman of the democratic state 
central committee from June, 1902, until March, 1904, when he resigned 
and became a member of the democratic national committee for South 
Dakota. 

	While thus more or less active in public office Mr. Johnson 
continued his business affairs and in connection with his brother Homer 
organized and incorporated the Johnson Brothers Company, which was 
capitalized for one hundred thousand dollars. In 1886 they removed 
their headquarters from Grandview to Armour, South Dakota, and with the 
advancement and upbuilding of that place have been closely identified 
In business circles they won for themselves a commanding position, 
conducting a loan and real-estate business, Edwin S. Johnson being the 
president of the company. They represented clients all over Iowa, 
Minnesota and South Dakota. In 1886 they organized the Citizens State 
Bank of Armour with E. S. Johnson as cashier, in which position he 
continued for sixteen years or until 1902, when they disposed of their 
extensive banking interests, which had been extended to Geddes, South 
Dakota, and to Horning, Iowa. They still have large investments and are 
numbered among the well known capitalists of the state. 

	On the 1st of October, 1884, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage 
to Miss Anna Shoreau, the wedding being celebrated at Osceola, Iowa. 
Their children are five in number. The life work of Edwin S. Johnson is 
not only crowned with success but also with respect and honor, for 
through the long years of his connection with South Dakota's interests 
his has been an unblemished character. With him success in life has 
been reached by his sterling qualities of mind, taking advantage at no 
time of the necessities of others but utilizing the legitimate 
opportunities which are always offered in a new country.