Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== Biographical History of Cherokee County, Iowa W. S. Dunbar & Co., Chigago - 1889 [page 418-419] REV. AMON JOHNSON. — One of the most active and earnest workers for his Master, and one who has great results to show for his labors in Cherokee County and the surrounding country, is he whose name heads this article. His labors have been among a class of people but slightly affected by the average minister, and it is safe to say that many of this county's best citizens owe much of general culture and fitness to be what they now are, best citizens, to the efforts of this gentleman. Mr. JOHNSON was born in the parish of Soggendahl, Norway, December 9, 1838. His parents were JOHN WILLIAMSON and INGEBORGE AMONSON; the family came to the United States when AMON was ten years of age, and settled in Racine County, Wisconsin; in 1858 they removed to Dane County, Wisconsin, and here in 1863 the father died; he was a spinning-wheel maker by trade. The family consisted of two sis- ters beside AMON. HELEN is the wife of ANDREW HANSON, and HANNAH married OSMUND THOMPSON. At thirteen years of age AMON learned the printer's trade at the office of the Monthly Church Tidings, at Janesville, and at the age of fifteen years he went to Chicago and was employed for some time on the Democrat. Having a strong desire to acquire a more thorough education, he entered the State University at Springfield, Illinois, in 1854; after devoting the next six years to study he was graduated in 1860, receiving the degree of A.B., and two years afterward that of M.A. While in the University he was a classmate of ROBERT LINCOLN, our present Minister to Great Britain. After his graduation he entered the Augustana Theological Seminary at Chicago, now located at Rock Island, Illinois, and took a two years' course in theology. He was ordained by the Augustana Synod of the Lutheran Church in 1863, in Goodhue County, Minnesota, and began his ministerial work at Leland, La Salle County, Illinois. He remained there for three years and then was sent to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where he remained until the close of the year 1877. There two churches were built during his ministry, and the charge became one of the largest and most flourishing in the conference. Then he was placed at Aurelia, and for two years had charge of the church work at Aurelia, Sloan, Onawa, Sioux Rapids, and a coun- try church in Pocahontas County. He soon succeeded in effecting organization at Aurelia. In 1879 Duncombe and Badger, in Webster County, were given him instead of Sloan and Onawa, which were org- anized into a separate charge. After three years they were with- drawn from his charge, being able to support a minister, and his work since has been confined to Sioux Rapids, Aurelia and Alta, at which place a society was organized through his efforts. He has built church edifices at Alta, Aurelia, Sioux Rapids and Bad- ger, and his preaching has added abut 400 communicants to the churches in Iowa. His health not admitting of confinement he has given by preference his attention to missionary work, and build- ing up the different societies. Mr. Johnson was married at Leland, Illinois, February 24, 1863, to Miss ANNA MOLAND, who departed this life July 27, 1881. October 17, 1883, Mr. JOHNSON was again mar- ried to Miss CARRIE H. OPPEGARD. She was born in Norway, October 25, 1844. By his first wife the following children were born: MARTHA, wife of JOHN BARSTAD; HENRY ARNDT, SVEN ARON, JULIUS GOD- FREY and IdA MATILDA. Two children were born of the second mar- riage: ANNA MARIA and JULIA. Rev. JOHNSON is a popular minister with other denominations, and is well liked by persons not con- nected with any church organization. Being a man tall of stature he has a commanding appearance. He has a fine and forcible deli- very, and it is a pleasure to listen to him. He is a close stu- dent, a thorough reasoner, and an entertaining companion. Few men have so great a faculty of retaining friends, even though of dif- ferent views on religious matters. ===========================================================================