John W. Johnson work diaries
Collection
Identifier: Ms-0397
Scope and Content Note
This collection consists primarily of the work diaries of John W. Johnson from 1917-1943 as transcribed by Meredith A. Hmura. The diaries are broken down by year and cover Johnson's daily life as a forest ranger for the U.S. Forest Service. The collection also contains a map of the Santa Fe National Forest where many of Johnson's experiences happened and his autobiography of his adventures in the Pecos Valley, Reminiscences of a Forest Ranger, 1914-1944.
Dates
- 1917-1943
Language of Materials
English
Access and Use Restrictions
This material may be examined by researchers under supervised conditions in theSearch Room.
Copy Restrictions
Limitedduplication is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with copyrightand other applicable statutes.
Copyrights associated with this collection have not beentransferred and assigned to New Mexico State University.
Copyrights associated with this collection have not beentransferred and assigned to New Mexico State University.
Biography
Born near Asotin, Washington in a one room log cabin, John W. Johnson was the eldest son of 10 children. As the family ranch grew, Johnson took on additional responsibilities and at an early age learned much about cattle, which would help him later in his career as a forest ranger. At the age of 10 Johnson started breaking horses for riding and by 18 had assumed management of the family ranch in addition to acquiring 160 acres of his own.
After establishing his own ranch, Johnson realized that ranching did not keep him busy enough in the winter and he started a hardware store. A natural salesman, his store prospered. In 1912 he contracted tuberculosis and was advised to leave the Northwest. He then moved to Glendale, Arizona and started a general store there. After a couple of years he decided that he needed more time in the open air and in 1914 sold his store and began a career with the U.S. Forest Service.
After establishing his own ranch, Johnson realized that ranching did not keep him busy enough in the winter and he started a hardware store. A natural salesman, his store prospered. In 1912 he contracted tuberculosis and was advised to leave the Northwest. He then moved to Glendale, Arizona and started a general store there. After a couple of years he decided that he needed more time in the open air and in 1914 sold his store and began a career with the U.S. Forest Service.
Extent
0.50 Linear Feet (1 Box)
Abstract
Work diaries compiled by John W. Johnson while employed by the U.S. Forest Service. Johnson wrote a book of his experiences as a forest ranger, focusing primarily on the time he was in the Santa Fe National Forest Upper Pecos Ranger District. The book is entitled Reminiscences of a Forest Ranger, 1914-1944 which is in the collection along with a map of the Santa Fe National Forest.
Acquisition
- RG 97-079 Gift of Merideth A. Hmura
Separated Material
Johnson’s autobiography of his adventures in the Pecos Valley, Reminiscences of a Forest Ranger, 1914-1944, has been cataloged in Special Collections.
General
Contact Information
- Archives and Special Collections
- New Mexico State University Library
- P.O. Box 30006
- Las Cruces, New Mexico 88003-8006
- Phone: (505) 646-3839
- Fax: (505) 646-7477
- Email: archives@lib.nmsu.edu
- URL: http://archives.nmsu.edu
General
- Title
- Guide to the John W. Johnson work diaries, 1917-1943
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Processed by Portia Vescio, with Roxanne Klunczyk
- Date
- © 2005
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is in English
Repository Details
Part of the New Mexico State University Library Archives and Special Collections Repository