It is with pleasure that we are enabled to grant in this history a review of the leading business man and prominent member of society whose name appears above, and who is proprietor of the largest flour mills in the County. Mr. Johnson was born in Benton County, Iowa, on February 28, 1868, being the son of Stephen and Elizabeth (Hardinger) Johnson, natives respectively, of Greene County, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. The father was a farmer and carpenter and later was a faithful preacher in the German Baptist Church.
Our subject was educated in the native place and labored with his father until twenty-three. Then he bought a farm of two hundred and forty acres for himself and after cultivating it six years, came to the reservation. Two years after it opened he bought the improvements of a man, added materially in erecting greater and better improvements and then filed and sold it three years later as a relinquishment. He then erected a large Hour mill in Nez Perce, it being of seventy-five barrels capacity daily, and equipped with all the modern and up to date machinery known, and it is one of the finest plants in the northern part of the state. In June, 1901, Mr. Johnson completed a fine two story residence on the hill overlooking the town, and he supplied the home with a three story observatory tower, that makes the place doubly attractive. It is one of the finest places in the County and is made attractive and beautiful by the taste and tact of Mrs. Johnson, who presides with graciousness. In addition to the properties mentioned, Mr. Johnson has a fine quarter section of land one half mile from the town, which he utilizes as headquarters for his industry of raising hogs, which he is building up in good shape, thus making a market at home, as he purchases many each year. The marriage of Mr. Johnson and Miss Emma A., daughter of Jacob B. and Sallie (Arnold) Lehman, who are deceased, was solemnized on March 4, 1891. Mrs. Johnson is a native of Benton County, Iowa. To them have been born four children, Charles Clifford, Murrel, Ray and James W. Mr. Johnson has three brothers and three sisters, William E., George R., James M., Elma Jones, Olive Cox, Alary Jorgans. Mrs. Johnson has two brothers and four sisters, Jacob, George L., Rebecca Fletcher, Nannie Pike, Sadie, Lydia. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are members of the German Baptist Church and are devout supporters of the faith, being also consistent in their representation of the denominational teachings in practical life. In October, 1902, Mr. Johnson suffered the loss of his fine home by fire.
Source: An Illustrated History of North Idaho: Embracing Nez Perce, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho; Western Historical Publishing Company, 1903
My name is Clay Johnson. Are there any other Johnsons or family of Zephania Johnson out there somewhere? He was my great grand father, His son Wilber Johnson was my grand father, His son Gary Johnson was my father.
Yes! My name is Terry Tobin. I met you at your family’s Nez Perce ranch in 1973.
I forgot to explain how I’m related to “Z.A.” Johnson. Murrel, ZA’s daughter, was my mother’s (Betty Lou Cheley Tobin) mother.
Hi Terry. I’m Clay’s brother Cory. I remember you and your family when my family visited Rapid City in the 70’s. I also stopped by for an afternoon when I visited relatives in the summer of 1978. If I recall you have brothers named Timm and Tomm and Todd? I also remember one summer when Betty Lou came to Albert Lea, MN while we were there in the early 70’s to visit my grandparents, Wilbur and Emogene Johnson.
Hi Cory- I’m sorry that I confused you with Clifford’s grandson I met in 1973 in Nez Perce. I vaguely remember his name was Cory as well (might be David…). He was the son of Clifford’s (your dad’s oldest brother) son Dale and his wife Leona. Yes! I remember your family visiting us here in Rapid City. We visited you in Eureka as well on our way to visit my dad’s relatives in northern Minnesota. We went to your cafe and had pie I think. I’m so glad to reach out. Where are you and Clay now? Are you married? Kids? What do you do? I’m in Rapid City. Amazing memory on the spellings of my brother’s names!!!! Todd lives in Silver City, SD with wife Judy. Timm lives in Seattle with his wife Tanya. Thom lives in both Chicago and Phoenix. I’m working on family genealogy both historical and medical. While I never met your grandpa, I remember he had some medical condition that was disabling to a degree. Polio? Your aunt Marilyn also had something that made for limitations in her life. Do you know anything about either of those? I’m retired and spend a lot of time on civic boards and in my church. I have a plethora of photos of Zephaniah’s life. However, I’ve never seen any photos of our actual great-grandmother Emma Lehmann. There are several photos of his second wife (Emma died of pneumonia I think) Nora Brallier. Emma was the biological mother of all 6 of Zephaniah’s children and died with your grandfather was a baby/toddler. Interestingly, my second son and his wife just had a daughter and named her Nora out of the blue! I look forward to your response. Terry
Hi Terry,
My dad, Gary, (died in 89) only had the one sibling, Marilyn who passed circa 92. She had a closed head injury at the age of 15 from a skating accident and later developed a brain tumor. Clifford would have been my grandfather Wilbur’s oldest brother. I moved to Colorado Springs in 86. My brother moved here a year later. Our mother Priscilla moved here in 2019. My son Brandon (22) and my daughter (37) also live here. I have two granddaughters, Taiya (16) and Jemma (9) who also live here. It would be great to see your photos sometime. Clay did some research years ago too. Lots of interesting stuff.Would be nice to share with you as well.
I would love to see you and the rest of your family again! I come to Denver 2-3 times a year. I can bring photos and see if you want to scan them. You may contact me at southdakotatobin@gmail.com and we’ll work that out!
Terry
That sounds great!
My grandmother was Murrel Pauline Cheley. She was ZA Johnson’s only daughter. I met Wilbur one time in Rapid City, SO. Dak. I believe I met Gary Johnson one time in Rapid City and once in Albert Lea Minn. we went there to visit Wilbur and was taking care of their step mother Nora. She was blind.
Jean Cheley England
Not sure you received my reply but I am the granddaughter of Murrel Pauline Johnson Cheley.. I met Wilbur in Albert Lea, Minn one summer. Also met your father Gary and I believe he had a sister Marilyn. ZA Johnson was my great grandfather too.
Hello Jean. My name is Cory. Clay is my brother. Nice to meet you.
I believe you came to visit us in Rapid City when you were little boys.
That’s quite possible when we visited the Tobins in the early 70’s.
I moved to California in 1978 so don’t remember you visiting. My aunt Betty Tobin passed away in January 2017. Not sure you knew this.
Yes, I did a Google search last year and found her obituary.
My name is Brianna Branson. James Johnson is my great great grandfather and we live in the house that he built!
Did James Johnson go by his middle name of Wilbur? I have a picture of him with my grandmother Murrel Pauline, myself, and my son.
Did James go by his middle name Wilbur? My grandmother Murrel was his sister. I was raised by my grandmother and met two of her brothers. Clifford and Wilbur.
I only ever knew my grandfather as Wilbur. I noticed the story doesn’t mention him.
Hello Brianna-
My grandmother was Murrel Pauline your great-great-grandfather’s only sister. My mother was Betty Lou, Murrel’s only daughter. I am my mother’s only daughter. My mother talked about “Uncle Jim’s” daughter, but now I have forgotten her name. I believe she was his only child. I’m working on getting this all written down for my 5 children. I met my grandmother’s oldest brother Clifford twice, but not Ray, Jim, Wallace, or Wilbur. That is incredible that you get to live in the house that your grandfather built! How amazing! Can you fill in for me the names of Jim’s wife down the line to you? I’d really appreciate it. My mother said Great Uncle Jim was a wheat rancher in Idaho. Is this true? She said he died of a respiratory disease from harvesting wheat for so many years. Is this true? Thank you for reaching out! Terry Tobin
Hi again Brianna-
I think I just remembered your great-grandmother’s name: Arlene??
Terry
Wallace johnson za johnson was my grandfather
My grandmother was Murrel Pauline Johnson Cheley. Wallace was her brother. I never meet him but she has told me the names of her brothers. I was raised by her. I met Wilbur and Clifford.
ZAJohnson was my great grandfather. My grandmother Murrel Pauline Johnson Cheley was my grandmother his only daughter.
Hi Wally. I’m Cory Johnson. Gary was my father. I remember him and my aunt Marilyn mentioning your name.
My grandmother Murrell Pauline and her daughter Betty Lou took me as a child to visit Wilbur in Albert Lea. I think only one time.
I think the Wally Johnson that commented here may have passed away. I found a Wallace Johnson in Idaho that passed away in 2021. He was 87. I cannot confirm he was our cousin.
Our Great-Uncle Wallace Johnson was born May 11, 1904 in Nez Perce, ID and passed away in 1985.
This is wally johnson, my father was ray johnson , i now live in Hawaii I would love to get together to see many of you while i am still living, i was able to meet all of Dad’s brothers
Jim, clifford, wilbur and wallace while growing up this is a rich family hostory and happy thanksgiving to all of you whom i have never met
Wally, I grew up with Murrell Pauline Johnson Cheley – my grandmother. She raised me from age six along with my father Jack Cheley. I remember her talking about all her brothers and I have pictures of them and the home they lived in NezPerce, Idaho. I live in Southern California. Jean Cheley England
Hell Jean,
Happy thanksgiving and very pleased to make your acquaintence
My father Ray often spoke of Murrell his only sister, i now live in Hawaii and would hope we can all meet in person in the future, will
Write you more soon, I did meet all Dads brothers clifford, wilbur, jim, wallace
Hi Wally! I would love to meet you! How lovely, a very blessed Thanksgiving to you and your family as well. I remember my mother talking about “Uncle Ray.” I vaguely remember Mother telling me your dad was a rancher in Montana. Is that correct? Weirdly, I remember her also telling me that your dad died of “hardening of the arteries.” Correct??? Please tell me if you have siblings, where you grew up, your mother’s name, and anything at all about your dad. I’m an active genealogist and look forward to this information. You may contact me directly at southdakotatobin@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you. Terry