My Genealogy Hound

AARON JOHNSON. Among the fruit farms of Berrien County prominent mention belongs to that owned and cultivated by Mr. Johnson and located on section 34, St. Joseph Township. It consists of twenty-four acres, upon which the owner has set out fruit trees of every variety. He engages in raising peaches, pears, apples, etc., and also finds the berry industry a profitable one and pays special attention to strawberries and raspberries.

The parents of our subject, Nelson and Sarah Johnson, were natives of Sweden, where their son Aaron was born in September, 1841. He was reared in his native land and there married Miss Charlotte Gustafson, whose father was a farmer of Sweden. Seven children were born of this union, namely: Charles T., of whom further mention is made in the lines below; John A., of Chicago; Fred, who resides in Minnesota; Ida, who lives in St. Joseph; Johanna, Emma and Amanda, who are at home with their father.

On the 9th of May, 1880, accompanied by his family, Mr. Johnson emigrated to the United States, and after landing proceeded directly to Berrien County and located in St. Joseph Township. Two years later he purchased the place where he now resides. In his political views he has affiliated with the Republican party ever since becoming a citizen of the United States. He is a strong advocate of temperance and gives to that cause his stanch support. He and his wife belong to the Baptist Church and are people of true nobility of character and piety.

Charles T. Johnson, the eldest son of our subject, was born in Sweden March 31, 1866. He was reared on his father’s farm in the Old Country, whence in 1880 he accompanied the other members of the family to America. Settling in Berrien County, he embarked in farming pursuits, starting out in life on his own account at the early age of fifteen. He was industrious and energetic, and his efforts have been crowned with considerable success. When ready to establish a home of his own he was married, on the 18th of April, 1890, to Miss Vilamina, daughter of Alfred Stark, and a native of Sweden, having been brought to this country at the age of three years.

After his marriage Charles T. Johnson located on the place where he now resides and which he purchased in 1887. Here he owns ten acres of fruit land, of which eight acres are set out in pears and the remainder in grapes and peaches. He finds the pear industry a remunerative one, and during the year 1891 raised fifteen hundred bushels of pears from his eight acres, which averaged about $1.50 per bushel. It will thus be seen that he has made of his business a success, and as he is still on the sunny side of life it is probable that in the future even greater prosperity will reward his labors. He and his wife are the parents of two children, Harry and Clarence. In his religious views he is a member of the First Congregational Church at St. Joseph. Politically, he affiliates with the Republican party.