Charles A. Johnson, BiographyPorter County biographical sketches . . . .
Transcribed biography of Charles A. Johnson
CHARLES A. JOHNSON. Elements of romance contribute to the history of Charles A. Johnson, a farmer of Jackson township, Porter county, Indiana. In far-off Sweden he heard of the new country. His parents were conservative and were comfortably settled and did not care to move. Neither did the young man have the funds to secure a passage across the Atlantic. But a friend in the United States consented to advance the price of a ticket, and it was with a determination that he would achieve success that he left the old country. Today on his splendid farm of 360 acres, which at a minimum is worth $36,000, he can look back at the struggles of the early days with the satisfaction that success gives to those who have striven earnestly.
Mr. Johnson was born in Sweden November 28, 1847. The parents, John and Mona (Sandberg) Johnson, reared their son in the Swedish Lutheran faith and inculcated in him the sterling principles which governed his future life. At the age of thirty-five he came to the conclusion that the new world offered better opportunities than the old. His first care on landing was to earn enough money to pay back to the friend who had advanced him the ticket fee. He found employment in a brickyard at Hobart, Indiana, receiving $1.75 a day, from which he managed to save the fund that later grew into a landed estate. His employment in the brick yard lasted for five years.
He was married to Nellie Peterson on May 5, 1876. She was born in Sweden, October 3, 1857. She came to the United States in 1872, and they became acquainted and were married in Porter county. They have nine children: Frank; Minnie, wife of Theo. Richardson; Huldah, wife of John Kalander ; Walter; August; Arthur; Harry; Nina, and Alma. All of the children were given good educations.
Mr. Johnson bought forty acres of land in Jackson township, lived on it for several years and then sold it and bought the eighty acre tract in section 32 where he now lives. He has since added to his possessions until they include 360 acres. Not only does Mr. Johnson own broad acres of fertile soil, but he has improved his farm with fine modern buildings, which are considered types of excellence throughout the region. All of the members of the family are affiliated with the Swedish Lutheran church at Chesterton, Indiana, and Mr. Johnson is one of the deacons. In politics he is a Republican. He and his estimable wife are possessed of pleasant natures. They are congenial neighbors, and their hospitality is proverbial among Porter county people. Charity and hospitality go hand in hand with them, and the less fortunate can always find a word of cheer and substantial assistance from the subject of this sketch and his worthy helpmeet.
Source: Lewis Publishing Company. 1912. History of Porter County, Indiana: A Narrative Account of its Historical Progress, its People and its Principal Interests. Chicago, Illinois: Lewis Publishing Company. 881 p.
Page(s) in Source: 773-774
This biography has been transcribed exactly as it was originally published in the source. Please note that we do not provide photocopies or digital scans of biographies appearing on this website.
Biography transcribed by Steven R. Shook