K. A. Johnson
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
from the Columbia County district
In office
January 6, 1913 – January 4, 1915
Preceded by
Succeeded byRobert Caldwell
Personal details
Born(1848-10-08)October 8, 1848
Leeds, Wisconsin, U.S.
DiedNovember 2, 1929(1929-11-02) (aged 81)
Portage, Wisconsin, U.S.
Resting placeSilver Lake Cemetery, Portage, Wisconsin
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
Suzanna Whitelaw
​
​
(m. 1883⁠–⁠1929)​
Childrenat least 1 son & 5 daughters
OccupationFarmer, businessman

K. A. Johnson (October 8, 1848 – November 2, 1929) was an American farmer, businessman, and Republican politician from Columbia County, Wisconsin. He represented all of Columbia County in the Wisconsin State Assembly during the 1913 session.

Biography

K. A. Johnson was born on a farm in the town of Leeds, Wisconsin, in Columbia County.[1] Johnson spent virtually his entire life in Columbia County.[2]

In addition to managing his own farm in Leeds, for many years he also operated a general store in the neighboring unincorporated community of Morrisonville, Wisconsin. He was also president of the Arlington Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and was involved in local politics in Leeds, serving on the town board and as a representative on the county board of supervisors.[1]

In 1901, he moved into the nearby city of Portage, Wisconsin, though he continued his business interests in the Morrisonville area.[3] In 1912, he ran for Wisconsin State Assembly, seeking the Republican Party nomination through the new primary election process. In the September primary, he defeated Elmer E. Haight, who had been the incumbent in Columbia County's 2nd Assembly district[4]—Columbia County's two districts were abolished in the 1911 redistricting, combining into a single county-wide district. He went on to defeat the Democratic candidate George Standenmeyer in the November general election.[1] He represented Columbia County in the 51st Wisconsin Legislature, and ran for re-election in 1914, but lost the Republican primary to Robert Caldwell.[5]

Personal life and family

K. A. Johnson married Suzanna Whitelaw, of Caledonia, Columbia County, Wisconsin, in 1883. They had at least six children and were active in the local Presbyterian church.[3]

K. A. Johnson died at his home in Portage on Saturday, November 2, 1929. He was interred at Portage's Silver Lake Cemetery.[2]

Electoral history

Wisconsin Assembly, Columbia District Election, 1912[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
General Election, November 5, 1912
Republican K. A. Johnson 2,857 52.40%
Democratic George Standenmeyer 2,595 47.60%
Plurality 262 4.81%
Total votes 5,452 100.0%
Republican win (new seat)


References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Biographical Sketches". The Wisconsin Blue Book 1913 (Report). Wisconsin Industrial Commission. 1913. p. 656. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  2. 1 2 "K. A. Johnson Dies Saturday". Wisconsin State Journal. November 3, 1929. p. 16. Retrieved March 26, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. 1 2 "Service for Aged Citizen". Portage Daily Register. November 6, 1929. p. 1. Retrieved March 26, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ "Tuesday's Primary Closely Contested". Portage Daily Register. September 4, 1912. p. 2. Retrieved March 26, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ "Election Returns Show Close Vote". Portage Daily Register. September 3, 1914. p. 2. Retrieved March 26, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.



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