John Oscar Johnson

JOHN OSCAR JOHNSON,* station express agent at Crestline, was born in Warren County, Illinois, August 16, 1859, and is a son of Alexander and Martha (Godfrey) Johnson.

The father of Mr. Johnson was born in Ohio and removed to Illinois with his parents, when young, and lived there until just prior to the Civil War, when he came to Johnson County, Kansas. He was a merchant and conducted a store at Spring Hill until 1889, when he retired, on account of failing health. A few months prior to his death, in 1896, he came to Shawnee township, Cherokee County, and passed away at the home of our subject, at the age of 72 years. He married Martha Godfrey, a daughter of Elijah Godfrey, of Warren County, Illinois, and they had two children: Josephine, wife of J. R. Matteson, of Grenola, Kansas; and John Oscar, of this sketch. The mother of these children passed away in 1888, at the age of 56 years.

John Oscar Johnson was his father s chief assistant in his business and attended the local schools. When he had attained his majority, he entered into a business of his own, at Spring Hill, where he continued until 1887 and then went to Arkansas City and continued in business there for a short time. Mr. Johnson next became interested in farming which he carried on in Chautauqua County, Kansas, until 1892, and then came to Shawnee township, Cherokee County. Mr. Johnson embarked in a grain and mercantile business and still continues interested in the former, which he has expanded into a large and important industry. Mr. Johnson ships annually 125 car-loads of grain. In 1897 he bought 45 acres of good land, a half mile east of Crestline, and to this he has added 80 acres. This property is managed by his sons, who do general farming and dairying.

In 1882, Mr. Johnson was married to Edith Arter who is a daughter of John Arter, of Warren County, Illinois. They have five children: Clarence A., Mabel M., Dean A., Walter W. and John H.

Mr. Johnson is identified with the Republican party and has at various times filled official positions. For several terms he was clerk of Spring Hill township, and for two years he was postmaster at Crestline. He is well and favorably known to the community and in his present capacity of station and express agent gives satisfactory service.

History of Cherokee County Kansas and its representative citizens, ed. & comp. by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, 1904, transcribed by Carolyn Ward, instructor from USD 508, Baxter Springs Middle School, Baxter Springs, Kansas, 6-27-97