Home > United States of America > South Dakota > Lake County > Madison > Graceland Cemetery > John A “J.A.” Johnson

John A “J.A.” Johnson

Birth	:	7 Sep 1854 Norway
Death	:	7 Sep 1939 Lake County, South Dakota, USA
Burial	:	Graceland Cemetery, Madison, Lake County, USA
Coordinate	:	44.0127983, -97.0903015
Plot	:	Block 6 Lot 1 Grave 3
Description	:	Born "Johan Andreas Johnson". Went by John Andrew Johnson or J.A. Johnson. JOHN ANDREW (JOHAN ANDREAS) JOHNSON HISTORY J.A. Johnson, eldest son of Lars and Anna Marie Johnson, was one of Lake County's most prominent and highly respected citizens for over 65 years, according to an article in the Madison Daily Leader written on September 7, 1939. John Andrew was born in Toten, Norway on September 7, 1854 and came with his parents to the United States in 1866 at the age of 12. He received his early education in the rural school in Winneshiek County,... Read More	Born "Johan Andreas Johnson". Went by John Andrew Johnson or J.A. Johnson. JOHN ANDREW (JOHAN ANDREAS) JOHNSON HISTORY J.A. Johnson, eldest son of Lars and Anna Marie Johnson, was one of Lake County's most prominent and highly respected citizens for over 65 years, according to an article in the Madison Daily Leader written on September 7, 1939. John Andrew was born in Toten, Norway on September 7, 1854 and came with his parents to the United States in 1866 at the age of 12. He received his early education in the rural school in Winneshiek County, Iowa. In 1873, when he was 19, he and John Patterson made an exploratory trip to Lake County to investigate the fertile farm lands of South Dakota of which they had heard rumors. Enthusiastically, he returned to Iowa and convinced his parents to make the move, and the following year the entire family began the westward journey. They arrived in the summer of 1874 and immediately built sod houses, barn for housing the livestock they had brought along, and filed claim on the Lake Madison shore site. That fall the pioneers broke about 50 acres of the virgin prairie in preparation for the next year's plantings. Tall prairie grass made the work difficult, but the land proved highly productive and yielded 25-30 bushels of wheat to the acre. The following year, J.A. filed claim to land a short distance north of the family homestead and began farming for himself. This farm was later occupied by his brother, Charley. He married Carrie Gulstine in 1881 and they were the parents of seven children, two of whom died in infancy. The five surviving children were: Carl J., Adeline, Pearl and Hazel, all of whom stayed in the Madison vicinity, and L. H. (Leander Hildus), who lived in Minneapolis when grown. In 1907, Carrie Johnson died and J.A. was married again in 1908 to Emma Dahl of Madison. In 1885, John Andrew purchased part interest in a general store, located on Egan Avenue and owned by a Mr. Seilstad. He later bought out his partner and built a large 50' building to house the growing retail business. The Johnson store was always operated under family management. He also became associated about that time with Henry Gulstine in the farm implement business. Almost from the time of his arrival in South Dakota, J.A. took an active interest in county affairs and neighborhood life in the pioneer country. His first public office was that of County Assessor (1881), and among his recollections was the assessment of the entire county one winter, when he had to go from place to place on snowshoes. In 1885, he was elected County Treasurer, which was the year he moved into the city of Madison. He served three terms as State Senator from Lake County in the years 1895, 1909 and 1911. For ten years, which included the depression of 1893, J.A. served as City Treasurer, helping to nurse the young municipality through the difficult growing years. During World War I, he was chairman of the Lake County draft board. He was a loyal supporter of the Republican Party. Prominent in business affairs of the city, he served as director of both the old Security State Bank and the First National Bank, was a member of the Board of Directors of the Lake Madison Chautauqua Association. In addition to his active interest in civic and business affairs, he was a faithful and devout member of the Norwegian Lutheran church. He was a charter member of Lake Madison Lutheran Church when it was established in 1879 and transferred his membership to Trinity Lutheran Church in 1887 when the congregation was founded. He contributed the large front window of the church in memory of his parents, who were pioneers in church activities in Lake County. He served as a trustee of Trinity for many years and also was a trustee of Augustana College in Sioux Falls for several years. Throughout his long residence in Lake County, J.A. made hundreds of friends. His friendly sympathy for his fellow man and his high personal integrity in business dealings won the admiration and high esteem of the community. Guided by a kindly and charitable spirit, he helped many pioneer families get started in this locality, often supplying them with food and necessities. John Andrew Johnson died on the morning of his 85th birthday, September 7, 1939, following a series of strokes. https://www.wikitree.com/index.php?title=Johnson-112540&public=1 Contributor: Philip Johnson (51002982)

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is John A “J.A.” Johnson's memorial?
John A “J.A.” Johnson's memorial is located at: Graceland Cemetery, Madison, Lake County, USA.
When did John A “J.A.” Johnson death?
John A “J.A.” Johnson death on 7 Sep 1939 in Lake County, South Dakota, USA
Where are the coordinates of the John A “J.A.” Johnson's memorial?
Latitude: 44.0127983
Longitude: -97.0903015

Family Members:

Parent

Lars M. Johnson

(1829 - 1910)

Anne Maria Pederson Johnson

(1828 - 1916)

Spouse

Kari/Carrie Haevelsdatter Gulstine Johnson

(1853 - 1906)

Emma Dahl Johnson

(1879 - 1975)

Siblings

Peder Anton “Peter” Johnson

(1857 - 1927)

Louis Edward “Lars” Johnson

(1862 - 1939)

Carl Johannes “Charley” Johnson

(1865 - 1956)

Martin Johnson

(1868 - 1923)

Adolph Johnson

(1870 - 1960)

Children

Adeline Melissa Johnson

(1884 - 1967)

Leander Hildus Johnson

(1885 - 1967)

Carl Johan Johnson

(1887 - 1968)

Pearl Clementine Johnson

(1889 - 1971)

Hazel Jeanette Johnson

(1896 - 1975)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Graceland Cemetery
Madison, Lake County, USA
Coordinate: 44.0127983, -97.0903015

2. Saint Thomas Cemetery
Madison, Lake County, USA
Coordinate: 43.9914017, -97.1213989

3. Old Madison Cemetery
Madison, Lake County, USA
Coordinate: 43.9786600, -97.0492800

4. Prairie Village Cemetery
Madison, Lake County, USA
Coordinate: 44.0064000, -97.1691000

5. Lake Park Cemetery
Wentworth, Lake County, USA
Coordinate: 44.0363998, -96.9981003

6. Lake Madison Lutheran Cemetery
Rutland, Lake County, USA
Coordinate: 44.0806030, -97.0439740

7. Rose Hill Cemetery
Wentworth, Lake County, USA
Coordinate: 43.9919014, -96.9749985

8. Franklin Cemetery
Chester, Lake County, USA
Coordinate: 43.8918991, -97.0282974

9. Olson Cemetery
Junius, Lake County, USA
Coordinate: 43.9785720, -97.2683500

10. Saint William Church Cemetery
Ramona, Lake County, USA
Coordinate: 44.1228270, -97.2103790

11. Ramona Cemetery
Ramona, Lake County, USA
Coordinate: 44.1234740, -97.2103790

12. Saint Ann's Cemetery
Ramona, Lake County, USA
Coordinate: 44.1483002, -97.1418991

13. Prospect Cemetery
Chester, Lake County, USA
Coordinate: 43.8997002, -96.9689026

14. Prairie Queen Cemetery
Nunda, Lake County, USA
Coordinate: 44.1411018, -96.9899979

15. Ash Grove Cemetery
Nunda, Lake County, USA
Coordinate: 44.1674995, -97.1136017

16. Saint Peter Lutheran Cemetery
Orland, Lake County, USA
Coordinate: 43.8611200, -97.1694800

17. Gracevale Colony Cemetery
Winfred, Lake County, USA
Coordinate: 43.9260500, -97.2814600

18. Pleasant Hill Cemetery
Chester, Lake County, USA
Coordinate: 43.8913994, -96.9332962

19. Saint Johns Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery
Ramona, Lake County, USA
Coordinate: 44.0950012, -97.2977982

20. Molskness Cemetery
Colman, Moody County, USA
Coordinate: 43.9785995, -96.8463974

21. Mount Auburn Cemetery
Colman, Moody County, USA
Coordinate: 44.1108017, -96.8683014

22. Hegre Cemetery
Colman, Moody County, USA
Coordinate: 43.9514008, -96.8380966

23. Ramsey Pioneer Cemetery
McCook County, USA
Coordinate: 43.8428001, -97.2166977

24. Colman Cemetery
Colman, Moody County, USA
Coordinate: 43.9789009, -96.8264008