Homer W. Johnson (b. 1859, Osceola, Iowa) was a state senator and key figure in the Johnson Brothers Company, a leading real estate and loan business in South Dakota. After gaining experience in banking and land management, he co-founded the Citizens’ State Bank of Armour with his brother Edwin, serving as president until 1903. Johnson shifted from Republican to Democratic politics, securing multiple senate terms despite his district’s Republican leanings. Known for his integrity and business acumen, he remained influential in both state politics and local development. Johnson’s collaborative spirit and loyalty made him a respected community leader.
Homer W. Johnson.— On other pages of this publication appears a sketch of the career of Hon. Edwin S. Johnson, brother of the subject and his associate in business, and in the connection is given an adequate outline of the family history, so that a recapitulation at this point is not demanded. Hon. Homer W. Johnson, present state senator of South Dakota from the eighth senatorial district, and secretary and treasurer of the Johnson Brothers Company, one of the most extensive real-estate and loan concerns in the state, is one of the leading citizens of Douglas County, maintaining his residence and business headquarters in the thriving town of Armour, of which he is one of the founders and builders. Mr. Johnson is a native of the state of Iowa, having been born in Osceola, Clarke County, on the 16th of March, 1859. Of the early steps in his career, as well as of his later life, an outline has been given in an edition of the Armour Herald, and to the same we have recourse at this juncture: “A common-school education in the educational institution of his home town was all that young Johnson was able to obtain, and in 1877, at the age of eighteen years, he took the position of deputy recorder of deeds, his father at that time being the recorder of Clarke County. He filled this position for four years and thus obtained a thorough knowledge of and insight into all matters pertaining to conveyancing papers and abstract work, and of late years he has turned this knowledge to wonderful account as a money-producing agency. After leaving the recorder’s office Mr. Johnson went to Corning, Iowa, where he secured a position in the Sigler Bank, having charge of the land-mortgage department of the business for three years, at the expiration of which he removed to Council Bluffs, where he became land examiner for the firm of Burnham, Tulleys & Company. At the end of the first year he became a partner in the firm and removed to Sioux Falls, Dakota, where he opened a branch office, in 1882, loans being made throughout southwestern Minnesota, northwestern Iowa and southeastern Dakota. This leads up to the formation of the partnership with his brother Edwin S., in Douglas County, Dakota, and the establishment of their interests here. The subject became interested with his brother in the banking business and was president of the Citizens’ State Bank of Armour, from the time of its organization until June, 1903, when he and his brother disposed of their interests in this institution, as well as of their banking interests in Geddes, this state, and Hornick, Iowa, the demands of their extensive real-estate and loan business requiring their undivided attention. “The subject of this sketch, like his brother Edwin, has always been a force in local politics and he was affiliated with the Republican party up to 1898, when he formally severed his connection with the same, his convictions leading him to disapprove of the specific policies of the party, and in 1900 he was made the nominee of the Fusionists for state senator, carrying the district by more than one hundred majority, while the national Republican ticket secured a majority of about two hundred. Thus was his personal popularity attested by hundreds of citizens throughout the eighth senatorial district, who, when the opportunity was thus offered, gave him their unqualified support, as a testimonial of their confidence in his ability and strict integrity.” In the election of November, 1902, Mr. Johnson was returned to the senate, by a majority of two hundred twenty-four, although the Republican state ticket carried his district by about five hundred majority, he having been the nominee of the Democratic party, to which he gives his allegiance, being one of the important figures in its councils in this state and being known as a man of distinctive business ability and as one who gives to his constituency the best that is in his power to accord in their service. He is a member of a number of important committees in the senatorial body and is one of its most active and faithful working members, ever aiming to conserve wise and effective legislation and to advance the interests of the state of which he is a pioneer and a most loyal citizen. Of him and his brother it has been consistently said that they “are the same jolly, honorable, sociable fellows that they were when working for their daily bread at one dollar and fifty cents a day. The accumulation of wealth has made no change in them, and a pleasant word and cordial greeting are always received by their hundreds of personal friends.”
The third member of the Johnson Brothers Company is Frank H. Johnson, who is vice-president of the company and president of the Charles Mix County Bank, at Geddes. He was born in March, 1867, at Osceola, Iowa, and was married there to Miss Candus Folger. Four children have been born to them, all of whom are living. He is a man of sterling character and fine business qualifications, and is respected and honored by all who know him. He has been a resident of South Dakota for eighteen years.
Source: Robinson, Doane, History of South Dakota: together with mention of Citizens of South Dakota, [Logansport? IN] : B. F. Bowen, 1904.