John S. Johnson (sportsman)

John Sigfried Johnson (May 11, 1873–January 17, 1934) was an early American cyclist and speed skater. [1]

John S. Johnson

John S. Johnson
Personal information
Full name	Johan Sigfrid Jansson
Nickname	"Johnny"
Born	(1871-05-11)May 11, 1871 Kil, Sweden
Died	January 17, 1934(1934-01-17) (aged 62) Minneapolis, Minnesota
Team information
Discipline	Track
Role	Rider
Rider type	Sprinter

Johnson, who was born in Sweden as Johan Sigfrid Jansson, emigrated with his parents to the United States when he was 10 years old.[2] He was the first to bicycle 1-mile in less than two minutes, or 1:56.6. This happened in 1892 at a racing track in Independence, Iowa.[3] Besides racing on the track, early in his career he also competed in road races.[4] Johnson was also a world record holder in speed skating, and won world championship titles in both sports. Later in his career, Johnson rode for racing teams sponsored by the bicycle manufacturers E.C. Stearns Bicycle Agency of Syracuse, N.Y., and Schwinn Bicycle Co. of Chicago. He retired from competitive cycling in 1900. He died January 17, 1934, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.[5] He is buried in Lakewood Cemetery, Minneapolis, Section 11, Lot 828, Grave 1. His wife, Jennie V. Johnson, is buried next to him in Grave 2.[6] His headstone has the silhouette of a bicycle, and an ice skate, carved into it.[2]