John M. Johnson Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1053-1054 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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				JOHN M. JOHNSON. 

	John M. Johnson, county treasurer of Lyman county and a resident 
of Oacoma, was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, September 6, 1871, a son 
of Gunerius and Grethe (Vibe) Johnson, both of whom were natives of 
Norway. The father came to America in young manhood, settling in Grant 
county, Wisconsin, where for many years he was a worthy citizen, there 
passing away in June, 1912, at the age of seventy-three years. His 
widow survives him. 

	John M. Johnson, the eldest of their seven children, was educated 
in the district schools of Grant county, Wisconsin, and in a business 
college at Decorah, Iowa, after which he worked upon the home farm 
until he attained his twenty-third year. In 1894 he arrived in South 
Dakota and took up a homestead in Lyman county which he still owns, and 
to his possessions he has added as opportunity has offered until his 
landed interests aggregate eight hundred acres, devoted to general 
farming and horse breeding. He has done much to demonstrate the fact 
that the lands of the western part of the state can be profitably 
farmed under intelligent management and has reaped the substantial 
reward of his labor. 

	In politics Mr. Johnson is a republican and he has taken an 
active part in political activities of both county and state. In 1912 
he was elected treasurer of Lyman county and most carefully safeguarded 
the interests of the office, so that his creditable record led to his 
reelection in 1914. His administration has been highly efficient and 
has received complimentary notice from the executive accountant of the 
state. He also served from March, 1907, until March, 1911, as auditor 
of Lyman county and for a number of years he has been a member of the 
school board putting forth earnest effort to advance the interests of 
public education and also promoting municipal affairs, standing at all 
times in support of those interests which are a matter of civic virtue 
and civic pride. Fraternally Mr. Johnson is a Mason and an Odd Fellow 
and his religious belief is evidenced by his membership in the Lutheran 
church.