Background

Johnson, Niel Melvin was born on July 28, 1931 in Galesburg, Illinois, United States. Son of Clarence Herman and Frances Albertina (Nelson) Johnson.

Education

Bachelor, Augustana College, 1953. Master of Arts, State University Iowa, 1965. Doctor of Philosophy, State University Iowa, 1971.

Career

Teacher, Unit #115, Biggsville, Illinois, 1954-1957;assistant historian, United States Army Weapons Command, Rock Island, Illinois, 1957-1960;chief historian, United States Army Weapons Command, Rock Island, Illinois, 1960-1963;instructor, Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois, 1967-1969;assistant professor, Dana College, Blair, Nebraska, 1969-1974;visiting assistant professor, U. Nebraska, Omaha, 1975-1976;archivist, historian, Harry S. Truman Library., Independence, Missouri, 1977-1992. President Portal to the Plains, Inc., Blair, Nebraska, 1973-1977, American Friends of Emigrant Institute Sweden, East Moline, Illinois, 1984-1989.

Works

Works Gallery

• book

  • Rockford Swedes: American stories

    (ROCKFORD ILLINOIS, WITH PHOTOS , EARLY IMMIGRATION, NELSO...)

  • Power, Money, and Women: Words to the Wise from Harry S. Truman

    (One of America's favorite presidents is Harry S. Truman. ...)

  • Portal to the Plains : a history of Washington County, Nebraska

    (Light cover wear and staining. Stapled book.)

  • Portal to the Plains, a History of Washington County, Nebraska

• Other Work

  • Author: George S. Viereck: German-American Propagandist, 1972, Portal to the Plains, 1974, Power, Money and Women: Words to the Wise from Harry S. Truman, 1999, Reprent, 2007. Co-author: Rockford Swedes: American Stories, 1993. Contributor articles in field to professional journals, newspapers.

Membership

Coordinator New Sweden '88 committee of Greater Kansas City, Missoury. Chairman Historic Trails City Committee, Independence, 1988-1993. Member Organisation American Historians, Midwestern Archives Conference, Jackson County History Society, Scandinavian Association (president 1987-1989).

Interests

• Other Interests

  Avocations: painting, writing, photography, golf, impersonator of Harry S. Truman.

Connections

Married Verna Gail Applegate, May 1, 1952. Children: Kristin, David.

father:

Clarence Herman Johnson

mother:

Frances Albertina (Nelson) Johnson

spouse:

Verna Gail Applegate

children:

Kristin Johnson

David Johnson