BIOGRAPHIES: ANDREW H. JOHNSON Dunn Co., WI ********************************************************************* USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. Submitted by: Laura Abood 3/19/2006 ********************************************************************* ANDREW H. JOHNSON, whose earthly life terminated Oct. 7, 1921, was for many years one of the outstanding figures of Dunn County, being notable in various lines of activity. In fact, speaking in general terms, there was little that he did not try and his capacity was such as to place him high on the list of the county's successful men. To unfold the story of his life is a pleasing task, for in it there was naught to conceal but much to inspire. Andrew H. Johnson was born in Norway, May 3, 1844, and acquired a good education in his native land, where he remained until about 1865. Then, having attained his majority, he emigrated to the United States to find a field wherein his ambition might have fair scope. On his arrival in the country he located at Decorah, Iowa, where he spent two years, but in 1867 he came to Dunn County, Wis., and for a time worked in the mill at Downsville. There he met with a severe accident, losing the fingers of his left hand. In 1869, before the wound had healed, he came to Menomonie and entered the employ of Knapp, Stout & Co. Company, being given a clerical position in their store, where his quick intelligence and good education, together with a genial and accommodating disposition, made him valued by his employers and popular with the general public. There he remained until 1871, in which year he started a grocery store of his own, and also a livery stable. This was the beginning of his highly successful mercantile career, for in time his business expanded to large proportions, having branches in Colfax and Superior, and not being confined to groceries, but taking in many other departments, including hardware, harness, lumber and farm machinery, so it was said that one could buy anything at the Johnson stores from a paper of pins to a threshing-machine. Mr. Johnson owned property at Spring Valley, Pierce County, Wis. In addition to carrying on his stores, he also operated as a building contractor and shipped the first stock out of Menomonie, making an outlet for the farmers. Another branch of his manifold business activities was the buying and shipping of horses in car-load lots. He was fond of all domestic animals, especially horses, and he was able to indulge his tastes in this direction, as he was the owner of a large farm, which he conducted himself with satisfactory financial results. He undoubtedly sold more land on contract than any other man in Dunn County. He bought large quantities of farm machinery, which he sold to farmers on contract. On this branch of his business he lost money, but said that he did not regret it, as it was one of the methods of progress in agriculture, and though on he might lose, many would be benefited. In 1907 he sold out all his business interests except his farms, of which he had several and which he continued to conduct and look after until his death. He took a strong interest in the growth and progress of the city, and was always ready to assist any laudable enterprise. In many of the business enterprises he was a stockholder, among them being the First National Bank. Mr. Johnson was married Dec. 1, 1871, to Johanna Ludvigson, who was born in Norway, June 24, 1852, and who accompanied her parents, Hans and Helen (Johnson) Ludvigson, to America in 1853. They located in Fond du Lac, residing there until 1861, when they came to Elk Mound, Dunn County, where Mr. and Mrs. Ludvigson spent their lives on a farm, the former dying in 1881, and the latter in 1888. Mrs. Johnson became closely interested in her husband's business affairs, and now owns three of the farms he left; one of 500 acres near the city of Menomonie, another at Colfax, and the third on Rusk Prairie of 120 acres. She has other considerable holdings, including a large residence at No. 802 Sixth Avenue, which she now occupies. The large three-story brick building at the corner of Main and Seventh streets, which was built by Mr. Johnson in 1880, and which for so many years was his store, and in recent years was the property of his son, Herman W., housing the automobile business of Berg & Anderson, was totally destroyed by fire on the night of May 4, 1924. Mrs. Johnson has in her possession a beautiful gold-headed cane presented to Mr. Johnson by the McCormick Harvester Co. as a reward for selling more farm machinery than any other of their agents. To Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were born eight children, namely, Helen, Lottie, Herman, Edgar V., Vivian C., Alfred L., Waldemar R., and Hazel L. Helen, born Nov. 28, 1872, died in February, 1873. Lottie, born Oct. 5, 1876, died April 12, 1879. Herman W., born Sept. 20, 1878, who from the age of 17 years until the year 1923, was in the U. S. postal service, is now associated with his brother Edgar in the automobile business. Edgar V. was born July 7, 1881, and in addition to the occupation above mentioned, is also engaged in the feed and grain business in Menomonie. Vivian C., born Jan. 7, 1886, is now Mrs. Oscar Dramson of Wilson Station, Wis. Alfred L., born June 7, 1886, is treasurer and road commissioner on the city council. Waldemar R., born Aug. 1, 1889, who for several years until the fall of 1923 was with the State Department in tubercular eradication, is now helping his mother in the management of the farms. Hazel L., born Jan. 6, 1893, is the wife of Robert Elliott of Chicago.