California Biographies

Source: History of Fresno County, California, with biographical sketches of 
the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with 
its growth and development from the early days to the present (1919)

History By Paul E. Vandor 
Illustrated, Complete In Two Volumes 
Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1919
 
Notes: Missing+page1185-1186

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


J. R. JOHNSON. � A naturalized Swedish-American is J. R. Johnson, an 
ardent admirer of Roosevelt and Senator Johnson. He was born at Wester- 
vik, in the northern part of Sweden, on March 27, 1859, the son of Jonas Wil- 
helm and Louisa Maria Johnson, both of whom died at advanced ages in 
Sweden. Grandfather Johnson lived to be one hundred ten years old: while 
the father, who passed away in 1917, was ninety-eight. Jonas Johnson was 
foreman of a large Swedish farm, where they worked forty-five yoke of oxen 
and twenty-five teams of horses ; and working under the valuable guidance 
of his father, the lad grew up to farm work. 

When J. R. Johnson came from Sweden to America, he continued West 
as far as Holdrege, Nebr., and for two years worked out on Nebraska farms, 
and for the next ten years tended bar in Holdrege. He became converted, 
however, and at once quit the saloon business, and for the next decade en- 
gaged at draying in the same town. This period was sufficient for him to 
thoroughly "find himself" and to learn what he was capable of doing, in 
order to become most useful to his fellow-men. He worked hard, lived fru- 
gally, brought up his large family in clean, moral surroundings and lived 
a consistent, Christian life. 

Coming out to California, he was for a short time in Los Angeles, but he 
had his attention directed to Kingsburg. A friend had bought a tract of 2,030 
acres south and east of Kingsburg. and he offered him his first choice of any 
forty acres there, at a very reasonable price and on long-time terms. Mr. 
Johnson bought it. though unimproved; he had come to Kingsburg on Jan- 
uary 10. 1908. with only $300; he put what money he could into a barn, and 
lived in the barn for the first few years, until he could get enough means 
to build a house. He and his good wife and children worked very hard ; they 
planted, built and otherwise improved; and the friend who sold him the land 
helped him out with credit. Finally, his place was all paid for and improved ; 
and in December, 1918, he sold it to his son Thor for $25,000, since which 
time he has lived retired in Kingsburg. 

While in Holdrege, Mr. Johnson was married to Miss Anna Louisa John- 
son, and their union has been blessed with the birth of eight children. Minnie 
is now the wife of L. C. Nelson, and they live near Clark's bridge, east of 
Kingsburg ; Hazel is the wife of Joe Shirling, who conducts an automobile and 
bicycle repair shop in Kingsburg and is interested in two stores besides. Selma 
lives at home ; Thor is proprietor, as has been stated, of the old home place ; 
Vivian L. is in the United States Navy ; Reuben is in the grocery business ; 
Linnea is at home ; while Floyd is engaged in ranching near Kingsburg. 

Mr. Johnson and his wife, together with their children, belong to the 
Swedish Methodist Church. He was naturalized in Nebraska and was orig- 
inally a Democrat; but of late years he has become a Republican, and re- 
cently he has marched in the same columns with Roosevelt and Johnson � 
the good fellowship of the Progressives.