IowaJones/Biographies/A. D. Jansen

A. D. Jansen–G. W. Johnson

Andreas D. Jansen
Born October 19, 1862

When Andreas D. Jansen arrived in this country not only was he without money to start him on the road to success, but he was even in debt for expense of his passage. He is now one of the substantial farmers of Madison township, whose broad fields are the result of his own industrious efforts. He was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, October 19, 1862, and is a son of Hans and Marie (Dickson) Jansen, both natives of the same province of the fatherland. The father died in the land of his birth, but in 1885 Andreas Jansen returned to his old home and brought his mother to this country, where she died in May, 1892, at the age of seventy-six years.

Until he was sixteen years of age, Andreas D. Jansen remained under the care of his parents, obtaining a fair education in the public schools. At that early age he decided to leave his home and come to the new world, where it was said larger opportunities awaited the boy who knew how to grasp them. Accordingly in 1878 he crossed the Atlantic to the United States. He made his way almost immediately after landing to Bryant, Clinton county, Iowa, where he secured work as a farm hand, and then, two years later, in 1880, came to Jones county, where he worked by the month for a period of eight years. In 1888 he married and began life as an agriculturist. For seventeen years he rented land, and then having practiced strict economy, in 1905 he was able to purchase the Wasson farm in, Madison township. It is a tract of one hundred and eighty acres, lying about a mile west of Onslow, and has been his home for the past four years. The soil naturally rich and arable, through careful cultivation has been made to produce most abundantly, so that Mr. Jansen has reaped harvests which have brought him renown as a tiller of the soil as well as an income which places him among the more prosperous men of his township. Industry has been largely accountable for this progress but not more so than has the good management which he ever showed in conserving his resources.

In 1888 Mr. Jansen wedded Miss Anna Von Spreecken, of Wyoming township, this county, but a native of Germany. Five children have been born of this union: Mary D., John C., Martha C., William T. and Frieda M. The parents are members of the German Lutheran church and are rearing their family in that faith.

Politically Mr. Jansen inclines more to the democratic party than to any other, but he is liberal in his views, usually voting at local elections for men and measures as his judgment dictates, for being a man of progressive ideas he is anxious to see in office the best man who has the best interests of the community at heart. The home in which Mr. Jansen lives is one of the handsome country houses of Jones county and is but another indication of the success which he has won for himself, and which entitles him to be called a self-made man, an appellation that is highly esteemed by all citizens of this country, whether they be her native sons or those coming from foreign lands, who have sought to share in her bounty.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 264.

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August H. Jansen
Born February 5, 1859

The agricultural interests of Jones county find a worthy and successful representative in August H. Jansen, who now makes his home in Wyoming township. He was born in Germany on the 5th of February, 1859, a son of Peter and Cecilia Jansen, who crossed the Atlantic to the United States in the year 1882. They took up their abode in Jones county, Iowa, and here spent their remaining days. They had a family of nine children, five of whom still survive, as follows: Hans, a resident of Chicago, Illinois; John, living in Wyoming, Jones county; Johanna, who likewise makes her home in this county; August H., of this review; and Peter, the cashier of the Wyoming Bank.

August H. Jansen attended school in his native land but had only limited opportunities in that direction. He accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world and remained at home until he had attained his thirtieth year, when he was united in marriage to Mrs. Melvina Reimer. Subsequently he rented a farm in Clinton county, Iowa, and was successfully engaged in its operation for ten years. He made a specialty of buying, feeding and shipping stock and handled as many as thirty carloads a year, this branch of his business proving very remunerative. In 1899 he returned to Jones county and bought a farm in Madison township, residing thereon until 1908, when he disposed of the property. He then bought a farm of seventy-two acres in Wyoming township, adjoining the village of Wyoming, and has since devoted his time and energies to its cultivation and improvement. He likewise owns six hundred and forty acres of land in Canada, all of which is now under cultivation and three hundred and twenty acres of which was planted to wheat in 1909. Though empty handed when he started out in life on his own account, he has made good use of his opportunities and as the years have gone by has prospered as the result of his unfaltering industry and capable management.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Jansen have been born three children, namely: Peter C., who is a graduate of the Wyoming high school; Albert H., who has likewise completed his studies in that institution; and Arthur M. The three sons are still under the parental roof.

Mr. Jansen gives his political allegiance to the men and measures of the democracy, but the honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him. The hope that led him to leave his native land and seek a home in America has been more than realized. He found the opportunities he sought—which, by the way, are always open to the ambitious, energetic man—and making the best of these he has steadily worked his way upward. He possesses the resolution, perseverance and reliability so characteristic of his nation, and his name is now enrolled among the best citizens of Jones county.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 181.

John Q. Jenkins
Born September 19, 1819

JOHN Q. JENKINS, farmer, Wyoming Twp., Sec. 1; P.O. Monmouth; born September 19, 1819, in Warren Co., N.Y.; in 1836, came to Michigan; in 1846, to Clinton Co., Iowa, in 1877, he removed to Jones Co.; owns 200 acres of land. Married Caroline M. Hoisington in 1843; she was born in 1825, in Chautauqua Co., N.Y.; have one child—Frank P.; their son, Alex. F., died October 14, 1878, from a wound received from a buckle-tongue piercing his hand at the thumb socket; he lived about one week after the accident. He leaves a widow and five children. Republican.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 602.

Platt Jennings
Born September 22, 1825

PLATT JENNINGS, dealer in boots and shoes, Monticello; is a native of Knox Co., Ohio, and was born September 22, 1825; he grew up and learned the boot and shoe trade. After reaching manhood, he married Miss Rachel A. Harris, from Knox Co., Ohio, October 7, 1845; they came to Iowa in February, 1853, and located in Jones Co. and entered land in Clay Township, and he engaged in farming and shoemaking. He remained there nine years, and came to Monticello May 18, 1863; since then he has been engaged in business here, and is the oldest in the trade here except George Stuhler, and has lived in Jones Co. over twenty-six years; he has held town offices. Mr. and Mrs. Jenninga have four children—Elizabeth (now Mrs. Stoffel, Mechanicsville, Iowa), Annie (now Mrs. Price, Cedar Rapids), Clarence (married and living in Linn Co.), and Alonzo (married and living in this city).

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 671.

C. H. Johnson
Born March 15, 1841

C. H. JOHNSON, farmer, Wyoming Twp., Sec. 30; P.O. Wyoming; born March 15, 1841, in Chautauqua Co., N.Y.; in 1856, came to Wyoming. He owns 120 acres of land. In 1862, he entered Co. K, 24th I.V.I.; served to the end of the war; participated in the battles of Port Gibson, Champion Hill, Vicksburg, Sabine Cross Roads, and others. Married Josephine Bennett December 25, 1868; she was born in Michigan; they have three children—Minnie B., Fred H. and George C. Republican; member of the M.E. Church.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 602.

George W. Johnson
Born April 13, 1868

George W. Johnson, who owns one of the best farms in Jackson township, is not only a good farmer but also a prominent democrat and party organizer whose influence in local matters is strong although the republicans are in the majority in this locality. Mr. Johnson is a native of Jones county, having been born in Jackson township, April 13, 1868, and he has put forth his best efforts here. He is a son of the Rev. Joseph H. and Katherine E. (Bowlby) Johnson, the former of whom was born in Dayton, Ohio, in 1827, and the latter in the same place in 1829. In 1860 they came to Jones county, Iowa, where both died, the father February 26, 1886, while his wife passed away February 3, 1882. Mr. Johnson was a clergyman of the Christian church, as well as a farmer, and was a most worthy and excellent man who made many friends wherever he went. He and his wife had nine children as follows: Owen, who lives in Farnam, Nebraska; Naomi, who married John Landis; Margaret, who married John McMurrin; Homer B., who lives in Jackson township; Maria, who married Milton Byerly; George W.; James McMurrin of Greenfield township, brother of John McMurrin; Ollie A., who married A. W. Hopkins of Fairview township; and Walter, who lives in Denver, Colorado. Owen and Naomi were twins, and the latter and Margaret are deceased.

After the death of his father George W. Johnson lived with his sister Mrs. Byerly until his marriage. He now owns eighty acres on section 4, Jackson township, and has converted it into one of the finest pieces of farming property in his part of the county. In addition to this farm, Mr. Johnson has owned Colorado lands and is now interested in some silver ore mines in that state. Ever since attaining to man's estate he has been an important factor in the democratic party in Jones county and was defeated in 1896 and 1908 for county clerk. In 1896 he ran ahead of his ticket and in 1908 was only beaten by one hundred and seventy votes. In spite of the fact that his party is in the minority, Mr. Johnson has served as township clerk for six years, owing to his personal popularity. His religious connections are with the United Brethren church and he belongs to that denomination. Fraternally he belongs to the Modern Brotherhood of America and takes an interest in that order.

In 1891, Mr. Johnson was married to Rose V. Hay, who was born in Jackson township, January 12, 1873, a daughter of Orlando W. and Della L. (Dunlap) Hay, the former of whom is deceased and the latter resides at Anamosa. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have one daughter, Belle, who is a student at Cornell College, Mount Vernon, Iowa.

The Johnson family is of English descent although unfortunately the date of settlement in the new world has not been preserved, but Mr. Johnson has inherited many of the English sterling traits of character and has made his own way in life, never shirking a duty or refusing to support a principle he believed was right, and it is such men as he who make up the reliable portion of any community.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 104.