CHRISTIAN JOHNSON

Christian JOHNSON has the honor of being the first Dane to settle in Clay Township, Shelby County, having come there in 1868. He was born in Denmark, October 12, 1839, and attended school in his native country until he was fourteen years old. He then learned the miller's trade, at which he worked until he was twenty-one years old. He then bade farewell to his native soil and set sail from Hamburg for America, landing at New York. From New York, he went to Davenport, Iowa and for one year worked at various kinds of labor. His next move was to Moline, Illinois, in which place he worked at milling and farming for five years.

At the age of twenty-three years Mr. Johnson was married to Miss Mary Johnson, a native of Denmark. They had one son born to them -- James P. Johnson, born in Moline, Illinois, in 1863. They have one adopted daughter -- Lydia.

James P. Johnson married Miss Augusta Weien, of Cuppy's Grove, and they have two sons -- William and Oliver. As before stated, Mr. Johnson came to Shelby County in 1868. He has bought, improved and sold several farms. He has been very influential in inducing Danish settlers to come to the county, and has done much to develop that part of the county in which he lives. He owns one of the best farms in the township; it contains 315 acres, has a good dwelling, large barns and cribs, and is well arranged. Mr. Johnson is engaged in breeding and raising Holstein cattle, having the only herd in the county. He has thirty head of thoroughbreds, as good as can be found in western Iowa, and fifty head of other high grades. He also owns two thoroughbred Percheron horses, as fine as can be found in the county.

In politics Mr. Johnson inclines to the principles of the Republican party. He is a leading member and liberal supporter of the Adventist church. He has always taken an active interest in educational and religious affairs, and has given hearty support to all enterprises having for their object the advancement of the community.

Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 589. Transcribed and submitted by Craig and Nancy Poole - cpoole@unmc.edu