Howard Johnson a practical and enterprising farmer residing on section 21,
Palmyra Township, has spent his entire life in Lee County. He was born on his father's
farm in this township, August 20, 1850, and is the youngest but one of seven children, who are
mentioned in the sketch of IL S. Johnson, on another page of this work. In the usual manner of
farmer lads, the days of his boyhood and youth were passed, he aiding his father in farm work
during the summer months, and attending the district school in the winter season. Under the
parental roof he remained until he had attained
his majority, when he began life for himself, and
the occupation to which he was reared he has since
followed. In all his undertakings he has met with
success, possessing enterprise, perseverance and in dustry, qualities essential to a prosperous career.
He now owns two hundred and eighty acres of land
on sections 15 and 16, Palmyra Township, but is
operating a one hundred and sixty acre farm on
section 21, the property of his father-in-law. He has
placed it under a high state of cultivation and the
well-tilled fields yield to him a golden tribute.
The farm is well stocked, having thereon about
seventy-five milch cows, used for dairy purposes.
This, however, is managed by other parties, while
Mr. Johnson devotes his entire attention to general farming.
In Palmyra Township Mr. Johnson was united
in marriage to Miss Alice A. Rogers, who first
opened her eyes to the light of day February 28,
1853, on the farm which is still her home. She is
a daughter of Walter and Hannah (Fellows) Rogers. Her father was born September 26, 1815, in
the Province of Ontario, Canada, and, about 1839,
came to this county, where he met and married
Miss Fellows, a native of New Hampshire, born in
1824. She was a maiden of ten summers, when,
with her parents, Stephen and Rachel (McGaffy)
Fellows, she emigrated Westward. Mr. and Mrs.
Rogers began their domestic life in Lee County,
upon a farm, where he improved a good home, it
being his place of residence until the death of his
wife, which occurred February 23, 1890. She was
a member of the Methodist Church, and a lady beloved by her many friends. In November, 1890,
Mr. Rogers removed to Dixon, where he is now
living a retired life at the age of seventy-six years.
He has been a prominent man of this community,
has served as Supervisor for Palmyra Township for
many years, and in politics is a stanch advocate of
Republican principles.
Mr. and Mrs. Johnson began their domestic life
upon the farm where they still reside and their
home has been blessed by the presence of two children - Elwyn and Lida M. The parents are both
well and favorably known throughout this cormmunity, and in the social world, where true worth
and intelligence are received as the passports into
good society, rank high. In his political views,
Mr. Johnson is a stanch Republican and for two
years has served as Supervisor of Palmyra Township, proving himself an efficient and capable officer.
Portraits and Biographical Pg. 832
