Edward H. Johnson Biography


	This biography is from "Memorial and biographical record; an illustrated
 	compendium of biography, containing a compendium of local biography,
	including biographical sketches of prominent old settlers and 
	representative citizens of South Dakota..." Published by G. A. Ogle & 
	Co., Chicago, 1899. Pages 965-966

	Scan, OCR and editing by Maurice Krueger,mkrueger@iw.net, 1998. 

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EDWARD H. JOHNSON. Norway has furnished to the new world many of its 
most progressive, energetic and successful citizens and among the 
number who have taken up their abode in Brule county, South Dakota, is 
the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. Since 1882, he has 
been prominently identified with its agricultural interests, and now 
makes his home on the northeast quarter of section 22, America 
township. 

Mr. Johnson was born in Norway, in 1855, and when a lad of fourteen 
years accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world. 
Locating in Wisconsin, the father bought a farm and throughout life has 
given his time and attention to agricultural pursuits. Our subject 
began his education in the schools of his native land, and to a limited 
extent attended school after coming to this country, but his time was 
mostly taken up by work upon the home farm, where he remained until 
twenty years of age. He then started out in life for himself by working 
as a farm hand by the month and was thus employed for four years. The 
following year he operated a rented farm in Minnesota and also run a 
threshing machine which he owned. In the latter boxiness he has since 
engaged every fall, with the exception of two, for the past twenty 
years. 

The year 1882 witnessed the arrival of Mr. Johnson in Brule county, 
South Dakota, and taking up land in Red Lake township, he lived there 
for ten years, his first home here being a shanty 12 x 14 feet, on the 
southeast quarter of section 33, while a barn with a straw roof 
sheltered his stock. The first year he raised a good crop of wheat, 
corn and oats, having about thirty five acres broken, which was a great 
deal more than most farmers had at that time. Later his crops were 
affected by drought. On coming to this state his stock consisted of 
only three good horses. 

Mr. Johnsen was married, in 1882, to Miss Emma Skogen, who was born in 
America of Norwegian parents, and they have become the parents of ten 
children, of whom two are now deceased. Those living are Mary, Henry, 
Oscar, George, Bertha, Ida and Ella. 

In 1892, Mr. Johnson removed to Pukwana, where he was engaged in the 
coal and grain business for three years, and in 1895 went to Peace 
Valley, Charles Mix county, where for eight months he was engaged in 
general merchandising. He then rented a farm for one season, and in 
1896 bought his present farm on the northeast quarter of section 22, 
America township, Brule county, upon which he has made most of the 
improvements. He has a pleasant residence, 38 x 28 feet, built at a 
cost of six hundred dollars; a barn, 24 x 46 feet; granary, corn cribs, 
and a well with a wind pump. He has eighty-five acres of land under 
cultivation and the remainder is pasture. 

At one time Mr. Johnson was a Populist, but now supports the men and 
measures of the Republican party, and he most creditably and 
satisfactorily served as a member of the town board in Red Lake 
township. Religiously he and his wife hold membership in the Lutheran 
church, and they occupy an enviable place in the esteem of their fellow 
citizens.