Identifier

MA 32

Dates

1924-1998

Extent

4.40 linear feet (8 boxes)

Abstract

The Henry M. and Inez O. Johnson Diaries document more than seven decades of rural life in eastern South Dakota, spanning 1924 to 1998. The collection consists of seventy one handwritten journals maintained primarily by Henry M. Johnson, with contributions from Inez O. Johnson, chronicling daily activities on the Johnson family farm near Baltic, South Dakota. The diaries record agricultural work, livestock care, crop conditions, weather observations, farm management decisions, and the rhythms of planting and harvest that shaped the family’s livelihood.

Beyond agricultural operations, the journals provide insight into family life, community relationships, church involvement, and local events in the Baltic area. References to hunting, fishing, social gatherings, health concerns, and regional developments situate the Johnson family within the broader social and economic landscape of twentieth century rural South Dakota. Together, the diaries offer a continuous, firsthand account of farm life across periods of economic hardship, agricultural change, and modernization, making the collection a valuable resource for the study of rural history, family life, and community culture in the northern Great Plains.

Historical Note

Henry M. Johnson, 1903-1993

Henry M. Johnson was born on October 5, 1903, to Ole and Beret Johnson on a farm near Baltic, South Dakota. He was baptized at Old Nidaros Lutheran Church, where he remained a lifelong member. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting and fishing throughout his life. On March 14, 1931, he married Inez Erickson at East Nidaros Lutheran Church. The couple lived and farmed on Henry’s family homestead until retiring and moving into the town of Baltic in 1987. They had four sons: Odel, Ivan, Dean, and Jerome. Henry passed away on June 4, 1993, at the Dell Rapids Community Hospital.

Inez O. Johnson, 1911-1995

Inez O. Erickson Johnson was born on October 31, 1911, in Lake County, South Dakota, to Martin and Julia Erickson. At age eight, she moved with her family to a farm near Baltic. She attended rural school and Baltic Grade School. Inez was baptized at St. Peter Lutheran Church and confirmed at East Nidaros Lutheran Church. She married Henry Johnson on March 14, 1931, and they farmed together until their retirement in 1987. Inez became a resident of Terrace Manor Nursing Home in Dell Rapids on April 28, 1995, and died on May 19, 1995, at Dell Rapids Community Hospital.

Content Notes

The collection consists of seventy one handwritten journals maintained by Henry and Inez Johnson that document daily life and agricultural work on their farm near Baltic, South Dakota. The journals record routine farm operations, weather conditions, crop and livestock management, household activities, and community involvement, providing a sustained account of rural life in eastern South Dakota across much of the twentieth century.

SDSU Archives and Special Collections

This document is a descriptive inventory of the collection in the SDSU Archives and Special Collections. It contains:

  • An overview of the collection, including information about the person or organization and a brief description of the materials and subjects found within.
  • A detailed inventory listing, organized by boxes and folders.
  • Information on how to access the materials, including any restrictions or special conditions.

In most cases, the materials in the collections have not been digitized and are not available online. If you would like to know more about the contents of the collection, please contact the SDSU Archives at:

Language

English

Publisher

South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections, Hilton M. Briggs Library, Brookings, South Dakota.

Rights

In Copyright This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). Materials in this collection may be subject to Title 17, Section 108 of the United States Copyright Act. Users are responsible for ensuring compliance with copyright, privacy, trademark, and other applicable rights for their intended use. Obtaining all necessary permissions is the user's responsibility. Written authorization from the copyright and/or other rights holders is required for publication, distribution, or any use of protected materials beyond what is permitted under fair use.

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