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Belgians in the Civil War

Emigrants arrival

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BELGIANS IN AMERICA:    Biographies of Belgian settlers  

Among the men who are prominent factors in the life of Pella is numbered H. F. Johnson, the present mayor of the city and business manager of Pella's Weekblad, one of the leading papers in the state published in the Dutch language. Mr. Johnson was born in Buffalo, New York, February 18, 1858, a son of Gerrit and Minnie (Van der Berg) Johnson, natives of Holland and Belgium respectively. Their marriage was solemnized in Holland and in 1854 they came to this country. They first settled at Buffalo, New York, where the father found employment, but in 1864 the family removed to Iowa and Mr. Johnson purchased a farm near Pella, which he operated until 1881. In that year he retired and lived in well earned comfort and leisure until his death, which occurred on Christmas day, 1896. He survived his wife for many years as she passed away in 1881. They were both members of the Reformed church. To them were born eight children, three of whom survive, namely: Mrs. D. W. Gaass, a resident of Pella; Anthony, who lives in Creston, Iowa; and H. F., of this review. William Gerrit, who lived in New Sharon, died September 17, 1914.

Source : History of Marion County, Iowa, and its people Chicago: S.J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1915, 815  pgs.