Gary D Johnson / Joan Olson Johnson

In 1889, three brothers, Benjamin, Johan and Ingerman Olson came from Virasted Lan, Sweden to  Bureau County,IL where they began farming. In the fall of 1890, Ingerman's wife, Emma, brought their 3 children, Alfred, Amanda and Elfreda Matilda to this country. Sigrid was born in 1893 and Boline in 1895. The family moved to Tampico in 1913.

Boline married Alice Wetzell, daughter of Oscar. Oscar's father, Henry, was a well known farmer in the  area and was a veteran of the Civil War. Boline and Alice had 3 daughters, Joan, Betsy and Ava.

Boline attended the Scoville School of Business in Sterling and was in WWI. He was a rural mail carrier in Tampico from April 1924 until his retirement September 1970.

Gustav Daniel Johnson was born in 1903 in Skallinge, Sweden as were his parents, John Edward Larsson and  Emma Johansson. He came to this country in 1921 and changed his name to Donald Gustav Johnson.  He was engaged in farming until retiring in Prophetstown.  He married Doris Gibson. Her father was John Gibson, son of Swan & Ellen Gibson of Sweden who came to this country in 1881. Her mother was Emma Marie Olson who was born in Bureau County, IL. Donald and Doris had  3 children, Dwight, Shirley and Gary (married to Joan Olson).

Gary and Joan were married July 28, 1962 in the Methodist Church in Tampico. They have 2 sons, Terry (married to Gabriela Carrion of Lima, Peru) and Kelly (married to Carrie Bellinder). Terry lives in Rockford, IL and has daughters – Michaela and Miranda. Kelly lives in Pleasant Prairie, WI and their children are Addison and Andrew.

Gary and Joan live on a farm south-west of Tampico. He has been engaged in farming his entire life. He also has been very active in many community activities ( Ball Program in Tampico from 1967 to 2000: Director of Whiteside County Farm Bureau; Director of Whiteside County Farm Service Agency; Member of Tampico Lions Club; President Tampico Cemetery Association; former Facilities Committee member of Wesley Woods Methodist Camp in Wisconsin) For many years, he has decorated their farm with over 100 lighted displays at Christmas time.

Joan was employed by Tampico National Bank in 1956, continuing to work with the Bank thru its many transitions until 2005. She held offices in the Whiteside County Bankers Federation (being the first woman president), helped form Whiteside County Bank Ladies organization; Member of Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission; Officer of THS Alumni Association; Tampico American Legion Auxilliary; former EMT with Tampico Ambulance Service, former Sunday School teacher and Cub Scout Den Mother. Currently is Director/Curator of Ronald Reagan Birthplace Museum and Treasurer Tampico Area Historical Society.

She and Gary are members of Tampico  Community Club; Tampico Area Historical Society; Tampico Area Long Range Planning Committee; Christmas in the Country; Ronald Reagan Trail Association; AGAPE Care Team; work with Tampico United Methodist Church on many mission projects.