BIOGRAPHIES:  John H. JOHNSON, Maple Grove Township, Barron County, WI

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John H. Johnson, sheriff of Barron county, was born in Gefleborgslan, Sweden,
son of Jonas and Anna (Tall) Anderson. He was educated in a common school in
his native land, and at the age of 21 entered an agricultural school where,
after a course of one year, he was graduated. His parents were proprietors of
an average size but productive farm, to which he returned after his
graduation, and which he assisted in working until 1881, when he came to
America. He had two older brothers, Anders and Erick, and no sisters, and when
he left home Erick took charge of the farm. John H. Johnson arrived in Eau
Claire, Wis., in May, 1881, direct from Sweden. He had but a small amount of
money, but soon found work at railroad grading, and being energetic and
enterprising, he soon became a contractor for such work, in which he continued
for eight years. In the spring of 1890 he came to Barron county and bought 80
acres of wild land in Maple Grove township. Five acres had been chopped and
burned over, but this constituted the only improvement. There were no
buildings, neither was there any public road, and for the first year Mr.
Johnson lived on an adjoining 40-acre tract that had a small house on it. In
the spring of 1891 he built a frame house 16 by 24 feet on his land and moved
into it. At various times he added to his original 80 acres until he owned
220, of which he improved 90 acres, letting the balance remain timber and
pasture. He also erected a fair set of buildings, including a silo, and was
successfully engaged in general farming and dairying, keeping from 15 to 20
cows. He also raised potatoes extensively. This farm, which is located nine
miles southeast of Barron and six and three-quarters miles southwest of
Cameron, Mr. Johnson still owns. Politically a Republican, he served Maple
Grove township two years as side supervisor and for 14 years was chairman of
the township board. He also served some years as clerk of school district No.
8 and as chairman of the Barron county board. In 1908 Mr. Johnson was elected
sheriff of Barron county, taking office on the first Monday in 1909. He served
two years, during which time he resided in Barron. In January, 1911, he
returned to his farm and resumed agriculture, remaining there until he was
appointed by the governor, Dec. 1, 1917, as sheriff to fill the unexpired 
term of Hans Borgen. He served until July, 1920, when, owing to a legal
technicality he was removed. In the fall of 1920 he became a candidate for 
the office, and being elected, resumed its duties in January, 1921. His
re-election evidenced that he had made a good record and gained the confidence
of the people of the county. Mr. Johnson was formerly a member of Tent No. 177
of the Maccabees at Cameron, a lodge now gone out, of existence. He was also a
member of the Norwegian Luthern church of Maple Grove township, which he
served as trustee. On Feb. 17, 1884, Mr. Johnson married Justina Johnson,
daughter of John 0. and Sophia Johnson of Maple Grove township. She was born
in the province of Dahlsland, Sweden, Jan. 9, 1864, and came to America with
her parents when 18 years old, the family settling at once in Maple Grove
township, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were married in Eau Claire, where
they began domestic life together. They have had nine children, of whom six
are now living, the full record being as follows: Anna S., born July 4, 1885,
who died March 28, 1917; Elvira, born April 22, 1888, now Mrs. Carl Eng, of
Barron, Wis.; Arthur, born May 10, 1890, who is residing in Barron; Mabel O.,
born July 17, 1892, who married Henry Erickson and died in Alberta, Canada,
Oct. 24, 1915; Esther, born March 24, 1895, who is residing at home; Violet,
born June 24, 1897, who died in Barron, Jan. 28, 1920; Goldie E., born Jan.
23, 1900, residing at home; Cecil, born June 7, 1902, who graduated from the
Hunt Business College at Eau Claire, Wis., and is now doing clerical work in
the employ of the C. & N. W. Railway Co. (Omaha Division); and Natila N., born
June 21, 1904, who is a student in the Barron High school.

 --Taken from: History of Barron Co., Wisconsin, H. C. Cooper, Jr., &
Co., 1922, pp. 92-93.