Otto O. Johnson

Johnson, Otto 0., prominent citizen and cashier of the St. Olaf's Saving Bank, was born October 2, 1871, in Clayton county, Iowa, the son of Ole and Anna (Wold) Johnson. His father was born in Norway, but came to America locating in Clayton county, Iowa, where he owned and conducted a large farm with the greatest success, until his death. His mother was born in Wisconsin and is still living on the home farm.

They had an unusual family of thirteen children, all of whom except two are living. Otto, the subject of this sketch, is the eldest; the second child, Olavus, died during the year 1908; Helen is the wife of Louis Larson of Lilly, South Dakota; Johanna, wife of Elmer Ronquist of Clayton county; Bertha, the wife of Herbert Olson of St. Olaf; Rudolph, Benjamin, Elaine, Olvin and Nettie living at home with their mother; and Ruth, deceased.

Otto Johnson received his education in the common schools, remaining on the farm until he was 26 years of age. Three years later, in August, 1900, he married Caroline Helgeson, a native of Clayton county, and to them have been born two children - Alenta Josephine and Leroy.

In 1900 he was appointed census enumerator for Wagner township and he then spent some time in the hardware business. On September 1, 1903, he was appointed postmaster of St. Olaf, which position he held for twelve years. In 1908 he entered the banking business and in 1915 he resigned his position as postmaster to devote his entire time to the affairs of the bank. In 1904 he was elected township clerk, being re-elected in 1906 and 1908, thus serving the public for three terms. Mr. Johnson has served as town clerk of town of St. Olaf and member of town Council for several terms and at present serving as mayor of said town; also serving as member of school board of the Independent school district of St. Olaf, Iowa. Mr. Johnson has been an ardent Republican at all times, serving several terms as county committeeman and having been honored by his party by the appointment as assistant doorkeeper at the National Republican convention held at Chicago in 1916, at which Hon. Charles E. Hughes was nominated for president.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are staunch members of the Norwegian Lutheran church, Mr. Johnson serving as trustee. No one man has done more for the enterprising village of St. Olaf than has this capable, alert and affable young business man.

source: History of Clayton County, Iowa; From The Earliest Historical Times Down to the Present; by Realto E. Price, Vol. II; 199-200
-submitted by S. Ferrall