Archives West Finding Aid

Milton G. "Milt" Johnson was born to Louis I. and Mary B. Johnson, both Swedish immigrants, on July 1, 1914. His father died when he was young, and his mother Mary raised the rest of the children - Pearl, Leonard, Florence, and Clarence - working as a "cateress". He graduated from Helena High School in 1934, and was a member of the championship football team of 1932. He was also a the Vice President of the Junior Class, and a member of the "H" Club, the Chemistry Club, Glee Club, and the Snails Club. After graduation, he moved to California, where he worked his way through college at the University of Southern California, before returning to Helena. He married Pearl M. McGinness in Helena on May 10, 1941.

Mr. Johnson worked for the Northern Pacific Railroad, and later the Burlington Northern Railroad, as a locomotive fireman. He worked on both steam and locomotive engines during his career, retiring in 1976. He was a member of many fraternal and social organizations, including the King Solomon's Lodge #9 A.F. and A.M., the Scottish Rite, the Algeria Shrine, and the Josephine Hepner Chapter #89 Order of Eastern Star. He passed away in Helena on April 29, 2005.