Pueblo County, Colorado
George Oliver Johnson
Contributed by Maggie Stuart Zimmerman.
George Oliver Johnson, president of District No. 15 of the United Mine
Workers of America and a well known resident of Pueblo, was born in Leadville,
Colorado, on the 4th of October, 1882, his parents being Matthew and Barbara
(Phillipson) Johnson. The father was a miner and came to Colorado in 1876. In
this state he was married to Miss Barbara Phillipson, whose people were among
the early pioneer residents of this part of the west. Mr. Johnson devoted his
time and energy to the mining of coal and quartz. Both he and his wife are still
living but have removed from this state to Seattle, Washington, where they now
make their home. To them were born two sons and a daughter.
The eldest of the family is George Oliver Johnson. He was educated in the
public schools of Leadville and of Cripple Creek and went to work at an early
age, since which time he has been dependent upon his own resources. In fact he
has earned his living from the age of fourteen years, and at eighteen he started
out as a miner and has since been identified with mining interests. He has
always been active in union affairs and at the last election was the one that
made the work of the organization successful. He defeated J. R. Lawson as
president of District No. 15 of the United Mine Workers of America. He had
previously held other positions, working his way steadily upward to the one
which he now fills. He did not leave his work to get votes but his position upon
many questions affecting the union won him support and indicated in what high
esteem he is held by the miners.
On the 30th of September, 1903, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss
Emma Jaeger and their children are Charles, Lorna, Matthew, Pansy and Thomas.
In politics Mr. Johnson remains independent, supporting men and measures
rather than party. He is interested in the state and its development and is a
public-spirited and respected citizen who cooperates in many measures for the
general good and who at all times stands for progress and improvement along
those lines which are in harmony with a democratic spirit. When leisure permits
he enjoys fishing, to which he turns for recreation. Extracted from History of Colorado Illustrated Volume II 1918
to the Pueblo County Index Page.
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