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West Point to World War: The Johnson Brothers

Humble Beginnings

From a quiet carpenter’s home in St. Peter, Minnesota, two sons rose to national prominence, earning appointments to West Point and serving in pivotal military campaigns of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Their story offers a remarkable example of service, sacrifice, and the global reach of a Nicollet County upbringing.

Sven and Margreta Johnson, Swedish immigrants who settled in St. Peter in the 1850s, raised a large family in the growing river town. Church records at First Lutheran Church capture the births of many of their children: Franklin Oliver (1858), Arthur Abednego (1861), Elna (1863), Clarence (1865), Aaron (1869), and Augusta (1875). Esther, another daughter, appears in the 1880 census as eight years old, though her exact birth details are unclear. The Johnson family had deep roots in Nicollet County, but the paths of Franklin and Arthur carried them far beyond Minnesota’s borders.

Franklin Oliver Johnson

Franklin entered the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1877 and graduated in 1881 as a Second Lieutenant in the 3rd Cavalry Regiment. His early career took him to the American West, where he fought at the Battle of Big Dry Wash in Arizona Territory in 1882—an engagement with Apache forces that became one of the last major battles of the Apache Wars.

Throughout his frontier service, Franklin also led Native American scouts and served as Regimental Quartermaster, responsible for managing critical supplies in remote and rugged outposts. His ability to adapt to different environments and duties made him a respected officer within the ranks.

By the late 1890s, Franklin served in Cuba during the Spanish-American War, earning a Silver Star for gallantry at the Battle of Santiago. His service didn’t stop there. In the early 1900s, he was stationed in the Philippines during the Philippine-American War, helping to quell resistance after the U.S. annexed the islands from Spain.

During World War I, Franklin was stationed in Columbus, Ohio, managing training and supply operations vital to the war effort. After four decades in uniform, he retired in 1922 as a Colonel. He and his wife eventually settled in Washington, D.C., but spent much of their retirement traveling across Europe. He was known to have a sharp mind and a keen interest in international affairs, which he nurtured during his post-military travels. Franklin died in 1935 at Walter Reed Hospital and was laid to rest with military honors in Arlington National Cemetery.

Sepia-toned portrait of a young man in a military-style uniform and cap, looking slightly to the side. The photograph appears to be from the 19th or early 20th century.
Black and white portrait of a young man with short hair and a mustache, wearing a military uniform with shoulder insignia and a high-collared coat, facing slightly to the right.

Arthur Abednego Johnson

Like his older brother, Arthur attended West Point and graduated in 1886. Among his classmates was none other than John J. Pershing, who would later command the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I. Arthur’s career was distinguished in its own right.

Arthur saw early combat during the Indian Wars in the Southwest and later led troops in Cuba during the Spanish-American War. He served again in the Philippines and took on key leadership roles during World War I, including as commanding general of the intermediate services of supplies in France. This critical role ensured American troops remained fed, armed, and equipped far from home.

He was known for his logistical expertise and attention to detail, skills that were vital to maintaining momentum on the front lines. Arthur’s peers and subordinates described him as steady, capable, and deeply committed to the well-being of the soldiers under his command. In addition to his wartime service, he held posts across the United States, helping train and prepare future officers for the changing nature of modern warfare.

Over the years, Arthur also studied at the Army School of the Line and the Army War College, institutions that helped shape the strategic leaders of the 20th century. His dedication earned him multiple honors, including the Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star, and the French Legion of Honor.

After retiring in 1925 as a Brigadier General, Arthur settled in Wilmette, Illinois. He passed away in 1946 and was also buried at Arlington National Cemetery. He left behind his wife, Edith, and four children—several of whom followed his path into military service.

Sepia-toned portrait of a young man with short hair, wearing a suit jacket, waistcoat, dress shirt, and bow tie, looking slightly to the side with a neutral expression.
A man in a military uniform stands outdoors on a grassy field. He is wearing a cap, boots, and a belted jacket. Several simple wooden buildings are visible in the background under an overcast sky.
A group of twenty men in military uniforms pose for a formal group photo outdoors in winter, sitting and standing in two rows in front of a building with snow on the ground and trees in the background.

A Lasting Legacy

The Johnson brothers’ rise from St. Peter to the highest ranks of the U.S. military reminds us that the stories rooted in Nicollet County are often part of something much larger. Their lives reflect how one family’s hopes, hard work, and devotion to service can echo across generations and across continents.

Their legacy is preserved in military archives, cemetery stones at Arlington, and right here at home in the church records of First Lutheran and the stories passed down through community memory.

A gravestone reads: Franklin Oliver Johnson, Colonel Cavalry, United States Army, 1858–1935; his wife Clara Howard, 1860–1941. There are two crossed swords engraved above the names. The stone is set in grass with other headstones nearby.
A weathered white gravestone on grass marks the burial of Arthur Johnson from Minnesota, who served as a Brigadier General in the U.S. Army, born July 9, 1884, died February 3, 1946, and received service medals.

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