August Johnson Photograph Collection
Collection
Identifier: Photo 415
Scope and Content
The August Johnson Photograph Collection contains 11 items: Jiffy lubricator grease gun, man greasing car with it, Mr. Johnson, and several views of his electric snow shovel.
Dates
- 1923-1952
Access
The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the NDSU Archives.
Copyrights
Copyrights to this collection remain with the creators.
Biography
August Johnson was born June 2, 1880 in Stockholm, Sweden the son of Gustave and Christine (Jacobsen) Johnson. In 1882 August's father immigrated to America, settling at Grand Forks, N.D., where he grew up. His first job was as an elevator operator in the Security Building and later worked in a bicycle repair shop. In 1907 he went to Devils Lake, N.D. to work with his brother in an auto garage. In 1912 he moved to Fargo to become garage foreman for the Wheelock Auto Company and later worked at the Lewis Motor Company. In 1920 with his brother John, they opened the Johnson Brothers Garage in Fargo. Through his work August developed a high pressure grease gun in 1921. Commercial manufacturing began in 1923, first in Chicago and later in Fargo as the Jiffy Manufacturing Company.
The company was involved in considerable litigation over the patent rights which reached the United States Supreme Court. Mr. Johnson also developed a hydraulic coupler, a device for seeding and fertilizing lawns, a grease gun, an automobile sun visor and an electric snow shovel.
In 1913 he married Mary Deryle Smith at Devils Lake, N.D.. She was born March 16, 1889 at Vancouver, British Colombia but grew up at Devils Lake. They had one son, Burton. They were members of Plymouth Congregational Church. Mr. Johnson was also a member of the Fargo Elks Lodge. On January 5, 1956 Mr. Johnson died and was buried at Riverside Cemetery, Fargo, N.D. Mrs. Johnson died February 24, 1977 at Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.
The company was involved in considerable litigation over the patent rights which reached the United States Supreme Court. Mr. Johnson also developed a hydraulic coupler, a device for seeding and fertilizing lawns, a grease gun, an automobile sun visor and an electric snow shovel.
In 1913 he married Mary Deryle Smith at Devils Lake, N.D.. She was born March 16, 1889 at Vancouver, British Colombia but grew up at Devils Lake. They had one son, Burton. They were members of Plymouth Congregational Church. Mr. Johnson was also a member of the Fargo Elks Lodge. On January 5, 1956 Mr. Johnson died and was buried at Riverside Cemetery, Fargo, N.D. Mrs. Johnson died February 24, 1977 at Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.
Extent
11 Photographic Prints
Language of Materials
English
Overview
August Johnson was a Swedish immigrant who became a Fargo inventor and maufacturer who developed a high pressure grease gun and an electric snow shovel.
Provenance
Donated by Mrs. August Johnson, 1956 (Acc. 588).
Separation Record
Manuscript materials processed into Mss 16.
Property rights
The NDSU Archives owns the property rights to this collection.
- Title
- Finding Aid to the August Johnson Photograph Collection
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Institute for Regional Studies Repository
Contact:
West Building N
3551 7th Avenue North
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States
ndsu.archives@ndsu.edu
West Building N
3551 7th Avenue North
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States
ndsu.archives@ndsu.edu