My Genealogy Hound

S. J. JOHNSON, the subject of this sketch, is a native of Sweden, born in the year 1850. His father, J. P. Johnson, is still living in the old country at the age of 76 years, but the mother of our subject died some years since. Three sisters are still living — Eliza, Caroline and Anna; Matilda is dead.

At the age of twenty-one our subject landed at Castle Garden, New York City, and immediately journeyed to the Hawkeye State, landing first at Burlington. Here he accepted the first position which offered, which happened to be in a saw-mill, in that thriving city. This, however, proved to be unfortunate for him, for he had followed this occupation but six weeks, when he met with the serious misfortune of losing one hand in the machinery. This resulted in three months of enforced idleness; but, undaunted by the adversity which he so soon met with, he found employment on a farm near Morning Sun, and went bravely to work to earn a livelihood, notwithstanding the fact that his father had offered to send him money with which to return to the old country. He persistently refused to do so, believing that for him the new world held brighter prospects. We next find him in Swedesburg, Iowa, where he secured a position in the store of Otto Abrahamson, which, by close attention to his duties and faithful devotion to his employer’s interests, he retained till failing health compelled him to abandon the position three years later. During the succeeding summer he worked in the harvest field, and in 1876 he came to Nebraska, locating at Kearney junction, Buffalo county. Here he obtained employment as a clerk, working variously for J. S. Harrington, Hiram Hull and G. Cramer. Later he secured a position which he was well fitted to fill and which required less of manual labor than that which he had formerly followed, namely, acting as advertising agent for this section of the country, urging people to emigrate to this part of Nebraska. In this capacity he did valuable service, and many are the substantial citizens of Buffalo and Kearney counties who were induced to come hither by his efforts. He next obtained a position with Achey Themanson, and later with Stein & Cramer, in the dry goods business, following this line of effort till 1881, when he moved to Minden and, having accumulated, by frugal and industrious habits, a little competency, he embarked in the mercantile business with A. G. Rylander. This co-partnership continued till April 1, 1885, when he purchased the interest of his partner. Three years later, on January first, he sold out the entire concern, having been chosen at the previous fall election to fill the responsible position of county treasurer, having been nominated by the republican party. His official duties began in 1888, and in 1889 he was re-elected, by a largely increased majority, to the same position. He has proven a faithful and efficient officer, always careful of the county’s interest, and can doubtless have the position as long as he cares to give it his attention.

Mr. Johnson was married, in 1879, to Miss Matilda Broman, daughter of G. Broman, of Axtel, Nebraska. Four children grace the home of Mr. and Mrs. Johnson — Johm Hugo, Bessie, Anna and Harris. Still another, Carl Maritz, died at the age of two years and rests in the family burying-ground at Minden.

In politics, as above hinted, Mr. Johnson is a straight-out republican. He has allied himself with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in whose ranks he holds honorable station.

Mr. Johnson is a good example of what may result from honest and persistent effort in the face of the most adverse circumstances. He is an honored and respected citizen, and, on the whole, has had and will have an honorable part in developing the section of Nebraska where he has cast in his lot.