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Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott
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Biographical History of Cherokee County, Iowa
W. S. Dunbar & Co., Chigago - 1889

[page 626-627]

    NATHAN JOHNSON was born on the Atlantic Ocean, May 22, 1825, and is
    a son of ZEBNIA and ANNA (WILSON) JOHNSON, both of New England birth.
    His father is descended directly from the English royalty, TIMOTHY
    JOHNSON, his father, being a near relative of the King of England a
    century ago; his mother is of German ancestry, being a descendant of
    the early Dutch settlers of the Mohawk Valley; she was a daughter of
    BENJAMIN WILSON, an officer in the Revolutionary War, as was also
    TIMOTHY JOHNSON.  NATHAN JOHNSON passed his childhood in Canada until
    he was nine years old; he then entered one of his father's vessels,
    his father being an extensive merchant, and owner of both lake and
    ocean vessels.  He filled every position on board a merchantman, from
    cabin boy to second mate, and became thoroughly familiar with every
    detail of ocean navigation.  It was to him an excellent school, and
    he became highly versed in astronomy and the mathematics essential to
    a ship's management.  Growing tired of a sailor's life, Mr. JOHNSON
    left the sea when he attained his majority, and embarked in business
    at Corning, New York, where for ten years he did an extensive traffic
    as a tanner and currier.  Meeting with some financial reverses he de-
    cided to engage in agriculture, and came to Illinois, where he remained
    a few years.  Then for twenty years he was a resident of Lenawee
    County, Michigan, from which place he removed to Buena Vista County,
    Iowa.  In 1884 he came to Cherokee County and settled on his farm,
    which consists of a half section of excellent land, which he devoted
    to the growing of better grades of live-stock; he has recently turned
    his attention to the breeding of Polled Angus cattle, and Clydesdale
    horses.  Mr. JOHNSON was married in 1860, in Steuben County, New York,
    to Miss SARAH ANN BOND, a native of the Empire State.  They have an
    interesting family of four children: LAZETTE C., wife of GEORGE MORGAN;
    VERONICA CORA, wife of De FOREST MORGAN; CARRIE BELLE and WARREN W.
    Mr. JOHNSON'S strong personality impresses itself upon those who meet
    him.  His mind is well stored with facts, and having a natural, easy
    flow of language, he becomes an entertaining speaker, and his
    utterances command attention.  He is independent in politics, and in
    religion is liberal in his views, occupying an advanced position on
    all questions.

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