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History of Story County Iowa J O.
M. JOHNSON submitted
by Dick Barton
[O. M. Johnson Family photo submitted by Linda Cron] No obstacles seem too great for some indomitable spirits to overcome and the life histories of many men in this work indicate that a young man may attain practically any position in the business world he may desire provided he thoroughly prepares himself and steadfastly perseveres. O. M. Johnson, whose name stands at the head of this sketch, came to America from a foreign land a poor boy; today he has attained a handsome competence and is one of the honored men of Story county, who represent the best citizenship. He was born in Norway, February 25, 1850, son of John and Rachel (Halverson) Johnson, both of whom passed their entire lives in Norway. O. M. Johnson acquired his early education in the schools of his native land and also had the advantage of one year's attendance at Augsburg School at Minneapolis, Minnesota. Being ambitious as a boy to attain an honorable place in life even though he should be obliged to take up his home among strangers, he came to America when sixteen years of age. After spending one year in La Salle county, Illinois, he was attracted to Story county, Iowa, where he worked for two or three years as a farm laborer, at the same time becoming acquainted with the language and customs of the country. In 1871 he secured a position with Baldwin & Max well, merchants of Cambridge, and for about four years drove a team for that firm. However, he was on the lookout for a more promising position, which proved to be a clerkship in the store of J. D. Brizley, of Cambridge, in which position he continued for about five years, then going to Sheldahl as clerk in the store of Nelson & Ersland for two years. Returning to Cambridge, he began on his own account in the mercantile business under title of O. M. Johnson & Company, selling out six years later in order to accept a position at Sheldahl under the employ of Oley Nelson, formerly senior member of the firm of Nelson & Ersland. In the summer of the same year Mr. Nelson removed his business to Slater and Mr. Johnson went with him, continuing until 1894, when he rented Mr. Nelson's elevator at Slater and became identified with the grain business, purchasing the elevator in 1903. In 1904 Mr. Johnson bought from John Valland his elevator and lumber yard at Huxley and since that time has been one of the leading men of business in the community. In 1879 Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Alice Larson, a native of Norway, who located in Illinois in 1867 and came to Story county, Iowa, in 1875. Eight children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, four of whom are now living, namely: Joseph, now superintendent of the city playgrounds of Dayton, Ohio; Rebecca, a teacher of music in the Jewell Lutheran College; Martin, cashier of the Farmers Savings Bank of Alleman, Iowa; and Lennie, now attending the Jewell Lutheran College. Mr. Johnson is a
man who fearlessly follows his convictions in political matters and
having observed the evil effects of the saloon he is a stanch advocate
of prohibition. That his neighbors have great confidence in his judgment
is evinced by the fact that he is now serving his third term as mayor
of Huxley and for six years past has been a valued member of the school
board, having assisted very materially in the erection of the new school
building. He and his wife are consistent members of the Lutheran church.
He has from the beginning of his career been remarkably energetic and
wide-awake, and whatever rewards he has achieved have come to him as
the result of his own well directed efforts.
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