Posted on 06/15/2002 3:38:44 PM PDT by floriduh voter
MAGNUS JOHNSON
Magnus Johnson has resided on his farm on Section 33, Palisades Township, for almost three decades and is widely recognized as one of the most prosperous agriculturists and respected citizens of Minnehaha County, South Dakota. His birth occurred in the province of Skaner, Sweden, on the 26th of October, 1847, and his father died when he was but five years of age.
He left home when a youth of sixteen and during the following nine years was a deep-sea sailor, touching at many of the ports of the world.
A Typical Boarding Pass to Frisco during the Gold Rush Days.
He sailed on American vessels for some years and in 1876, abandoned the sea at San Francisco, subsequently spending about eleven months at work on a river steamer on the Sacramento River.
Mr. Johnson then secured employment as a farm hand in California and was thus engaged for about seven years, on the expiration of which period he returned to Sweden on a visit. He spent the winter in his native land and in the spring of 1883, again came to the United States, bringing with him his intended wife, Miss Josephine B. Pearson, who had a brother living in Valley Springs, South Dakota.
Great Grandfather Magnus Johnson of Garretson and wife, the former Josephine B. Pearson of Sweden.
Thus it was that Mr. Johnson came to this state and here he was married immediately after his arrival. He paid nine hundred dollars for a quarter section of land in McCook County, three miles west of Salem, and two years later traded the property for his present home farm, paying five hundred dollars in addition. He has lived on this place in Palisade Township continuously since 1885 and has made many excellent improvements thereon.
The Johnson Homestead
In 1908, his two sons, Eddie and Charlie, purchased the northwest quarter of Section 6, Red Rock Township, paying eight thousand dollars for the property, which is now easily worth more than twice that amount. They are associated with him in his farming interests. In the conduct of his agricultural interests he has won a most gratifying and well merited measure of prosperity that has established his reputation as a substantial and leading citizen of the community.
Red Rock at Palisades State Park
To Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have been born nine children; seven of whom survive, as follows: Eddie Washington; Charlie Cleveland; Emily Sophia; who is the wife of Adolph Karlil, a farmer of Red Rock Township; Hilma Augusta, who gave her hand in marriage to Willis Sutherland, of Garretson; Julia M., now Mrs. Edward Eitriem; Alice V., at home; and Melvin Walfred.
Mr. Johnson gives his political allegiance to the Republican Party and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to positions of public trust. He served as supervisor for a period of seventeen years, acted as a member of the school board for about five years and has been constable during the past two years. Higher public honors have been tendered him, but these he has declined.
His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the United Lutheran Church, to which his wife and children also belong. His son Eddie has been organist in the church for the past twelve years and is also a member of the Garretson Band, manifesting considerable talent in music.
The life of Magnus Johnson has been one of activity and usefulness, crowned with success, and because of the fact that he has never taken advantage of the necessities of his fellow men in business transactions but has always been straightforward and honorable, he is accorded the confidence and friendly regard in those with whom he has been associated. *** THE S.J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY, 1915
South Dakota's State Bird, the Ring Necked Pheasant,
Southernmost Point of Key West, 90 miles from Cuba.
Strangely enough, that's my wife's pet name for me.
Above are the General Store and Railroad Depot early last century in Fall River County. These pictures were taken by my great aunt who homsteaded and taught school there.
For more South Dakota and history links:
Regarding me, having moved to Florida during high school, I have a combo accent, a little SD and a little southern drawl. Yumpin yiminy yall!
Reading through my great aunt's letters (whom I never met), she was quite stoic, but they had terrible problems with getting enough coal in winter, then there was a drought, and the summers were probably dreadfully hot on the plains.
That little farmstead you posted was really pretty. What a difference trees can make!
Regarding the temperature, when we lived there, temps in the summer could be over 100 degrees. There were lots of hailstorms and some tornadic activity too. (I love that term "tornadic") LOL. They don't have blizzards like they used to when we lived there. We'd get snowed in for days at a time in town until the snowplows got to our street. I know what cabin fever is, with a dad, mom, three kids and all the pets.
By floriduh voter. Why is Free Republic asking me to check an anonymous box? Is that something new?
Mom's flying out of Tampa this afternoon and will be with her brother and sisters for Independence Day in a setting like this photo. While she's having a ball, I'll finish wallpapering her foyer while she's out of town. I started the project last year.
For their 4th of July in S.D., I contributed patriotic slap bracelets for mom to hand out to the children. Mom is the special guest since she's the only out of towner for the 4th.
Some of the kids are Magnus Johnson's great, great, great, grand children; hopefully after fall 2002, they will all live in Thune Country. I'm sure that GGF Magnus would like S.D. to change their tune. The death tax may be the death knell for SD dem politicians. We shall see.
I am bumping this and may bring more pictures next week. I am finally being scheduled for diagnostic neuro tests so I'll be busy with doctor visits during July.
Loved your post. I am Antoine’s Great x5th grandson. I finally found his grave and have a photo of the stone if you would like me to e-mail it to you.
The jpegs are long gone. Great stories in here.
I’m an independent now but still vote conservstive. GGF was a Republican 4ever.
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