3/3/2012:
Martin Nelson Johnson was born in Wisconsin on this date in 1850. He grew up in Iowa and earned a law degree. He taught for two years at the California Military Academy before returning to Iowa to practice law. While living in Decorah, Johnson served in the Iowa House of Representatives and in the Iowa State Senate. In 1882, he moved to Dakota Territory and began farming. He also served as District Attorney of Nelson County and was a member of the North Dakota Constitutional Convention in 1889. After North Dakota achieved statehood, Johnson served first as a member of Congress, and later as U.S. Senator. His Senate term was cut tragically short, however, when he passed away suddenly in 1909 in Fargo. He was buried near his home in Petersburg.
Dakota Datebook written by Jayme L. Job
Sources:
http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=J000162
http://www.archive.org/details/martinnjohnsonla02unit