Herbert E. 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 456-459

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

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HERBERT E. JOHNSON, a wide-awake, energetic and progressive 
agriculturist, is now successfully following his chosen vocation on 
section 19, Beotia township, Spink county, and, with the upbuilding and 
development of this region he has been prominently identified since 
pioneer days. He was born in Black Earth, Dane county, Wisconsin, 
January 31, 1861, and is a worthy representative of an old and highly-
respected New England family, his ancestors having made their home in 
Vermont for several generations. His grandfather, Abel Johnson, was 
born in Vermont, of English ancestry, and was the son of a 
Revolutionary hero. The father of our subject, also Abel, was born in 
the same state, Vermont, August 21, 1821, and in early life engaged in 
merchandising, and later in farming. At Weston, Vermont, October 3, 
1850, he was married by Rev. T. S. Haynes to Miss Fanny N. Park, whose 
birth occurred in the same state, December 2, 1825. Her father, T. K. 
Park, was also a native of Vermont, and of Scotch descent. About 1856 
Mr. and Mrs. Johnson removed to Wisconsin, where he died July 1, 1870, 
but she passed away in Wisconsin also, August 26, 1897. They were the 
parents of seven sons, of whom our subject was fifth in order of birth, 
and all worked together on the home farm for some years. 

Mr. Johnson, of this review, was seven years old when the family 
located on a farm in Dane county, Wisconsin, and after attending the 
country and village schools until fifteen, he turned his attention to 
the operation of the place. Leaving home on the 27th of March, 1882, he 
started for Spink county, South Dakota, and arrived in Mellette on the 
1st of April. Two days later he located on the northwest quarter of 
section 19, Beotia township, where he took a pre-emption and erected a 
shanty 10 x 12 feet. He and his brother lived alone until June, when 
they were joined by their mother, at which time a better house was 
built. When he located here, there was only one house in sight, but 
within a few months the prairie was dotted with shanties. All supplies 
had to be hauled from Mellette or Groton, and in the spring of 1882, 
while returning from market, Mr. Johnson got stuck on the banks of Jim 
river. He was compelled to unload his wagon, and the river, rising 
suddenly, carried part of his goods away. The remainder he boated 
across the river in a heavy rain and wind storm. Several times the boat 
was almost capsized, but after five trials he finally reached the 
opposite bank. Upon his farm, was the first post office in the 
township, and here the township meeting was held for the purpose of 
naming the township. 

Although Mr. Johnson began life here with a capital of only five 
hundred dollars, he is now one of the most prosperous men of the 
community. Wheat has been his principal crop, and he has given some 
attention to the raising of cattle, sheep and hogs. In the fall of 1882 
he took a homestead near Verdon, Brown county, on the northeast quarter 
of section 1, township 120, range 61, and moved his shanty upon the 
place. After proving up his claim the following year, he located on his 
brother's farm and afterward bought the northeast quarter of section 
19, Beotia township, Spink county, on which a house and sod barn had 
previously been built. He now owns a fine farm of six hundred and forty 
acres, all under a high state of cultivation with the exception of 
eighty acres of pasture land, arid improved with a good set of farm 
buildings. Around his residence on section 19 are some of the largest 
trees in the county, which add greatly to the beauty of the place and 
which were set out by him after locating here. Besides his own land he 
operates a rented tract and now has six hundred and seventy-five acres 
planted to grain. 

On the 7th of July, 1887, at Mitchell, South Dakota, Mr. Johnson 
married Miss Josie Booth, who died January 8, 1894 and he was again 
married, January 11, 1893, his second union being with Miss Mary L. 
Reynolds, who was born on Galloe Island, New York, a daughter of Eli 
and Catherine Reynolds, pioneers of this state. Our subject has three 
children:. Walter A., Stanley E. and Harold D. Socially, Mr. Johnson 
affiliates with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and politically is 
identified with the Republican party. He has been school clerk for 
three years, and in 1 898 was elected supervisor of his township, which 
office he is now filling in a most creditable and satisfactory manner. 
On another page will be found a group portrait showing Mr. and Mrs. 
Johnson and their son, Walter A. Johnson.