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JOHN IHRKE, a prosperous farmer of Pine Island
township, was born in Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, July 28,
1864, son of John and Rickie (Miller) Ihrke, natives of
Germany, who came to America in 1864 and located in Wisconsin.
In 1875 they came to Minnesota, located in the township of
Pine Island, and engaged in farming, until the death of the
father, February 9, 1901, the mother having passed away in
1867. John attended the common schools and worked with his
father. In 1885 he came to the farm, where he still resides.
Of his 340 acres of land, eighty acres is well timbered, the
remainder being devoted to a general line of farming and stock
raising. All the improvements on the place, which include a
tine home, have been made by himself. In addition to this he
has shown his modern spirit by purchasing a substantial
touring car. Mr. Ihrke is a good citizen and has always taken
an active interest in the welfare of his community. He is town
treasurer and has been supervisor for a number of years. The family are members
of the German Lutheran church.
JORGEN INGEBRETSON was born in Norway, September
18, 1844, son of Englebret and Dorothy (Johnson) Ingebretson,
who came to America in 1872, locating in Michigan, where the
father engaged in the carpenter's trade for four years, after
which they removed to Wabasha county and engaged in farming.
Here they lived for sixteen years, and then came to Wanamingo
township to reside with their son. The father died June 30,
1906, while the mother passed away in June, 1889. Jorgen
received his education in Norway, and came to America in 1866
and located in Michigan, where he was employed in the pineries
for three years. In 1869 he returned to Norway, remaining one
year. In 1870 he came back to America and engaged in
carpentering in Michigan for four years, after which he
removed to Wabasha county, Minnesota, and purchased 228 acres
of land and carried on general farming until in 1880, when he
came to Wanamingo township and bought 320 acres in Section 22,
where he built a home and other outbuildings, following
general and diversified farming. Mr. Ingebretson was married
in June, 1870, to Dorothy Hanson, natives of Norway, daughter
of Hans and Maron (Jacobson) Hanson, who were farmers and
fishermen. The
father met his death on the sea with eight neighbors, while on
a fishing trip in 1848. The mother died in 1865. Mr. and Mrs.
Engebretson have had nine children: Mary, married to Peter
Thompson; Nettie (deceased); Anna (deceased); Patrena, who is
a dressmaker; Nettie, married to E. Everson, of South Dakota;
Henry and John, living at home; Julia (deceased); and Nora,
living at home. Mr. Engebretson is a Republican in his
political views and is a stockholder in the elevator at
Wanamingo and the Minneola Creamery. Mr. Ingebretson and
family attend the Lutheran
church.
LOOMIS F. IRISH, president of the State
Bank of Pine Island, was born in New York state, January 15,
1856, son of Joseph and Evelyn (NeAvton) Irish, natives of New
York, who in 1865 came west to Minnesota, locating at
Rochester, where the father engaged in farming and also ran a
distillery. In 1867 he moved with his family to Goodhue
county, and engaged in farming for one year, after which he
went to Dodge county, remaining five years, also spending five
years in Olmstead county. In 1878 they came to Pine Island,
where the mother died the same year. The father died in 1900.
They had a family of five children : Loomis, the subject of
this sketch; Augustus, Julia, Rush (deceased), and Riley.
Loomis F. received his education in the public schools of
Dodge county. For ten years he manufactured brick and also
operated the Pine Island roller mill, which he built in 1899.
He built the first block in the village in 1895. The block
known as the Opera House Block is a model of beauty and
usefulness. In 1882 he established a private bank, which he
conducted for twenty-four years. In 1907 this bank was
incorporated as the State Bank of Pine Island. Mr. Irish was
married in 1877 to Lura S. Hawkins, daughter of J. F. and
Mahalia (Phelps) Hawkins, natives of Canada and Wisconsin, the
former of whom Was a brickmason by trade. They came to Pine
Island in 1862 and both are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Irish
have had five children: Blanche, who married V. E. Parker, of
Pine Island; Caryl and Ruth, who live at home; Basil and Hilda
(deceased). In politics Mr. Irish is Republican. Fraternally
he affiliates with the I. ,0. 0. F. and M. W. A. he and his
family attend Grace church.
R. W. IRISH, Pine Island village, was born in
Dodge county, Minnesota, April 12, 1872, son of Joseph and
Evelyn Irish. He received his education in the public schools,
after which he went west to the Dakotas, where he was employed
as a cattle herder for a few years. He returned to Pine Island
and engaged in the barber business for five years. He then
purchased the Pine Island Record, which he conducted for five
years, after which he sold out and moved to Minneapolis,
remaining one year. Returning the second time to Pine Island,
he engaged in the general mercantile business, but sold out in
1908, and now has several patents for the handling of laces,
to which he devotes his entire time. He was married December
1, 1895, to Georgana McCarty, daughter of J. B. and Helen
(Wyman) McCarty, who were old settlers. They have one son,
Wynot, who attends school. Mr. Irish is Republican in his
politics, and has been deputy oil inspector of Goodhue county
for a number of years. He is a member of the I. 0. 0. F. and
M. W. A.
SAMUEL T. IRVINE, assistant
city clerk, was born in Trim Belle, Pierce county, Wisconsin,
August 6, 1861, son of Samuel and Chritne (Huddleston) Irvine,
the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Morristown,
Ind. The father, upon coming to America, stayed for a short
time in Chicago, and in 1845 located in Milwaukee, remaining
four years. He then moved to Pierce county, purchased a farm
and carried on general farming until his death, April 4, 1898.
The mother is still living on the old homestead at the age of
sixty-eight years. Samuel T. Irvine received his education in
the public and private schools of Wisconsin and worked on the
farm with his father. Like many other boys of his day, he did
his farm work in the summer time and attended school in the
winter. After completing his studies he taught district school
eight years in Pierce county and served as clerk of his
township. July 1, 1890, he entered the railroad mail service,
continuing until January 1, 1902, after which he engaged in
business at Red Wing, conducting the Bee Hive, which was
managed along the lines of a department store. In September,
1907, he sold his interest in this establishment and engaged
for a time as traveling salesman for a Red Wing concern. For
two months he conducted an insurance office and December 16,
1908, was appointed to his present office of assistant city
clerk, in which position his clerical accuracy and
accommodating spirit have been highly commended. Mr. Irvine is
a Republican in politics and a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. He belongs to several Masonic degrees and is
the junior warden of the Blue Lodge of that order. He also
belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Yeomen Insurance
Company, the Memorial Day Association, the Sons of Veterans
and several other organizations. While in Pierce county
he was a justice of the peace three years, 1885 to 1888. Mr.
Irvine was married August 26, 1885, to Myrtle E. Merritt,
daughter of Francis and Eunice R. Merritt, of Belfast, N. Y.
Her father died in Belfast, N. Y., and her mother is now
living at Red Wing. To Mr. and Mrs. Irvine have been born one
daughter, Eunice M., August 3, 1900.
JULIUS H. ISENSEE, Belvidere township, was born
in Frontenac, August 14, 1860, son of Henry and Caroline
(Opperman) Isensee, natives of Germany, who came to America in
1853, locating in Lockport, N. Y., where the father was
employed on the suspension bridge for a short time. He came
west to St. Paul, Minn., the same year and in 1854 located in
Frontenac, where they purchased a home, later taking a
homestead of 160 acres in Florence township, where the father
carried on. general farming and worked at his trade of stone
mason until the spring of 1869, when he sold his home and farm
and bought 160 acres in Belvidere township, to which he added
until he had 240 acres. They retired from active life in 1889.
The father died in May, 1907, and the mother in September,
1906. Julius H. received his education in the public schools
of Frontenac and Belvidere, after which he took up farming
until 1881, when he learned the blacksmith's trade, which he
followed for five years in Red Wing. In 1886 he purchased
eighty acres of improved land and carried on general farming
for five years. Later he sold this land, purchasing another
eighty acres, where he built a home and other necessary
buildings, adding to his land until noAv he has 240 acres
under culivation. He carries on general farming and stock
raising, and has erected a modern stock barn. He uras married
June 15, 1893, to Alvina H. Ivriett, daughter of Peter and
Mattie (Hendrick) Kriett, natives of Germany, who came to
America in 1860, locating in St. Louis, where the father
worked on vessels. Coming to Minnesota in 1875, he took up a
homestead of 160 acres, where he continued a general line of
farming until his death in 1881. The mother was married later
to John Boesch of Lake City, where she still resides. Mr. and
Mrs. Isensee have four children:
Henrietta M., Julia A., Alvin L. and Henry D. Mr. Isensee is a
Democrat in politics, lias served as supervisor for six years,
and has been constable and director of school district 117.
The family attend the German Lutheran church.
SWAN G. JACKSON, of Belle Creek township,
was born in Sweden December 2, 1870, son of John and Anna L.
Jacobson, natives of Sweden, who emigrated to America in the
spring of 1871, located in Leon township, and after six months
came to Belle Creek township and purchased eighty acres of
land, of which fourteen acres was improved and the rest all
timber. This the father proceeded to clear, the family living
in a dugout at first. As soon as they were able they built a
home, barn and other buildings, and carried on a general line
of farming until the father died, in 1901. The mother still
lives on the homestead with her son. Swan G. received his
education in the public schools of Belle Creek and worked on
the farm with his father, and in 1901, at the death of his
father, he took charge of the farm, carrying on general
farming and dairying. Mr. Jackson is a Republican in politics,
and is a member of the Good Templar's lodge, of which he has
been Chief Templar for three years. He is secretary of the
Belle Creek Creamery and of the Belle Creek Co-operative
Mercantile Company, which office he has held since their
organization. He is also a stockholder of the Farmers'
Elevator at Goodhue. Mr. Jackson has one brother, who is a
farmer in Vasa.
JOHN C. JACOBSON was born in Belle Creek
township September 15, 1872, son of Colbin and Mary (Burg)
Jacobson, natives of Norway, who emigrated to America in 1870,
locating in Illinois, where the father was employed at farm
work. In 1871 they removed to Minnesota, settled in Belle
Creek township and purchased eighty acres of wild land, which
the father broke and improved, built a home and other
buildings, and carried on general farming and stock raising.
He has now retired and his son, Aron 0., manages the farm.
John C. received his education in the public schools of Belle
Creek and worked at home on the farm until 1896, when he
bought eighty acres in Belle Creek township, where he has made
many improvements and carries on farming and stock raising.
Mr. Jacobson was married November 15, 1896, to Hilda C.
Vanberg, daughter of Charles and Augusta (Erickson) Vanberg.
The mother was a native of Sweden and the father of America.
They farmed in Goodhue county until the death of the father,
in 1877. The mother is now living in California. Mr. and Mrs.
Jacobson have three children: Mabel A., born August 16, 1897;
Conrad H. J., born February 16, 1900, and Esther A., born
September 20, 1901. Mr. Jacobson is a Republican in politics,
and is serving his second term as town supervisor. He is also
a stockholder in the Farmers' Elevator of Goodhue. The family
attend the Norwegian Lutheran church.
HENRY JAMES, of Featherstone township, was born
in Middlesex, Ontario, April 14, 1847, son of Henry and
Margaret (Maxwell) James, natives of Sheffield, England, who
came to Canada when young. The father, a veteran of the Civil
War, devoted his life to farming. Henry, the son, received his
education in the schools of Canada, and in 1869 came to the
United States, locating in Belle Creek, where he bought a farm
of eighty acres, later purchasing 120 acres in Section 2,
Featherstone. This he improved, erected all the necessary
buildings, and has since carried on general farming, dairying
and stock raising. December, 1875, he was married to Aletha
Chandler, daughter of Samuel P. and Martha (Miller) Chandler,
both natives of Maine, who in 1846 came to Illinois, where
they remained eight years, after which they removed to
Minnesota, coming to Red Wing in 1854. Later they went to
Belle Creek township, where they lived on a farm. The father,
who was a clergyman of the Episcopal church, was the first
supervisor of Belle Creek township, and died in 1902. He is
mentioned in various places in this history. The mother died
when Aletha was small. Mr. and Mrs. James had three children:
Fannie P., a teacher; Thomas W., of Red Wing, employed by the
Red Wing Union Stoneware Company; and Margaret (deceased). Mr.
James is a Democrat in his politics, and he and his family are
members of the Episcopal church.
PETER JEFFERSON, a business man of Welch, was
born in Sweden October 9, 1849, son of Jefferson and Annie
(Anderson) Larson, natives of Sweden where the father died.
Peter received his education in Sweden, and came to America in
1873 locating in Red Wing where he worked at various labor
until 1877, then he purchased a team and wagon, went to Yellow
Medicine county, and bought 160 acres of land two miles south
of Granite Falls, the county seat. This land he improved,
carrying on general farming for fourteen years. His wife,
however, was in poor health and thinking a change of climate
would be beneficial, he sold his farm and went to Sweden also
taking his daughter with him. He left his family there,
returned to this country, came to Goodhue county and in 1893
engaged in business in Welch village, where he has since
successfully continued, enjoying a good trade and holding the
confidence of the community. In 1881 he was married to Carrie
Nelson by whom he has one child, Nina J. wife and daughter
live in Sweden. Mr. Jefferson is an independent voter, and was
supervisor in Yellow Medicine county for nine years. He also
established a school on his farm, thereby showing his public
spirit and his interest in education.
MOSES JEWELL, one of the early pioneers of this
county, settled in Pine Island in May, 1855. His oldest son,
S. C. Jewell, also accompanied him and located on his farm
adjoining the village, where he now resides. The following
spring Mr. Jewell moved his family from Dane county,
Wisconsin. He had five children: Sarah, now Mrs. A. B. Cron;
Eliza, now Mrs. H. Tome; Fenn, now of Pine Island; W. W., now
of Pine Island; and Nye, deceased. Moses Jewell died
January 9, 1888; Martha, his wife, died August 3, 1900. The
family faith is that of the Episcopal church.
 W. W.
JEWELL, a prosperous druggist of Pine Island, was born in Dane
county, Wisconsin, August 16. 1847, son of Moses and Martha
Jewell. He received his education in the public schools, and
finished with a course at Northwestern Seminary at Wasioja,
Minn. After completing his studies, he became a clerk in the
store of F. H. Williamson, of Lake City, remaining with him
for ten years. In 1874 he went into business for himself in
Pine Island, conducting a general store and also carrying a
full line of drugs. He was one of the organizers of the
Pharmacy Society, and has been a registered pharmacist since
the law requiring registration of druggists went into effect
in Minnesota. He was married in 1874 to M. I. Haasze, daughter
of James and Harriett Haasze, natives of New York state, who
came west in 1862, locating in Olmstead county and engaging in
farming on eighty acres. Both parents are now deceased. Mr.
and Mrs. Jewell have had two children: Emery L., now of
Shoshone, Wyo., where he is a physician, having graduated from
the University of Minnesota in 1903, and Scott W., recently of
Shoshone, who was in the drug business, being a graduate of
the University of Minnesota of the class of 1903 and also of
Drew College. He Was accidentally shot and died in Shoshone,
June 2, 1909. In his politics, Mr. Jewell is a Republican. He
has served as toAvn treasurer one term, and has held the state
depository of the county for a number of years. He is also a
member of the Masonic order; has stood at the head of the
local lodge for a number of years and is now its
treasurer.
ANDREW JOHNSON, of Welch township, was born in
Sweden, April 10, 1846, son of John and Sara Johnson, natives
of Sweden. He
came to America in 1871 and located in Red Wing, where he
worked for farmers for five months, and in the pineries, where
he was employed two winters. Then he came to Welch township,
renting a piece of land for a short time, after which he
purchased 162 acres of land which he improved, built a home,
and carried on general farming, dairying and stock raising. In
1876 he was married to Eunice Peterson. Their home has been
blessed with five children: Mary, married Nels Arlingson, a
farmer of Vasa township; Frank A., lives at home; Carrie, who
is in St. Paul, married Emil Carlson, foreman of the stock yards;
Charles N., is a bookkeeper at Adler & Schacht, of Red
Wing; and Arthur C., lives at home. Mr. Johnson is a
Republican in his political views, and has served as
supervisor for the past ten years ; he is also a member of the
school board of his district. The family are members of the
Swedish Lutheran church, of which he is one of the
trustees.
CHRISTIAN R. JOHNSON, hardware merchant, of
Goodhue village, was born December 19, 1812, in Denmark, where
he lived until 1857, when he came to this country with his
parents. He attended the American schools a short while after
his arrival here, and worked with his father for a time, after
which he purchased 220 acres of land in Goodhue township,
where he carried on general farming until January 1, 1907,
when he engaged in the hardware business in company with O. F.
Nelson, in the village of Goodhue. This partnership still
continues, and the establishment is one of the leading stores
in the village. Aside from the usual lines of hardware, the
company carries farming machinery and wagons, and enjoys a
large trade. Mr. Johnson is a Republican in politics and has
served as justice of the peace and as clerk of school district
105. He is a member of the E. A. Welch Post, G. A.
R., having enlisted in the Civil War shortly toward the close
as a private in the 1st Minnesota Heavy Artillery under
Captain Carney. By Emma Sundell, of Chicago, whom he married
in 1870, he had ten children. The oldest and the youngest died
in infancy. The others are: Albert, Lorena, Maynard,
Georginna, Bernard Lewis, Winnie Ida, Clarence Garfield, Lulu
Maude, Myron Herbert and Sidney Percy. The mother of these
children died in 1895, and Mr. Johnson was married March 19,
1902, to Amanda Emmaline Swanson, by whom he has four children
: Laverna Mae, Dorothy Anne, Raymond and Harland. The family
faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church. Carl and
Elizabeth Sundell, parents of Mrs. Emma Johnson, came to
America in the early fifties and lived both in New York state
and Pennsylvania before coming to Red Wing. The father worked at
his trade as a shoemaker until 1862, when he enlisted in the
Civil War. He served about twenty-seven months, and met his
death by falling from a wagon while still in the service. His
death left his widow to provide for four children. Later she married 0.
P. Hougher. The parents of Mrs. Amanda Johnson located in
this country, where her father, who had previously been a
miller, became a stone mason, and followed that occupation
until his death, in 1908, at the age of eighty years. His wife
is also dead. John Larson and Catherine Hanson, parents of
Christian R. Johnson, were married in Denmark and came to this
country in July, 1857. After living in Red Wing two years,
they pre-empted 160 acres in Goodhue township, which the
father broke and improved, and with the assistance of his
sons, Lewis and Christian, farmed until 1884, when he died,
his wife having died in 1883. Peter, the other brother in the
family, was drowned in the Mississippi river while on a canoe
trip, in 1858.
EDWIN 0. JOHNSON, of Red Wing, seventh child of
Carl G. and Sophia (Samuelson) Johnson, natives of
Jonkopingslan, Sweden, was born in Red Wing, November 3, 1869.
His father, who was a carpenter, came to America in 1866 and
for two years farmed at Burnside township. In 1868 he took up
his residence at Red Wing and until 1880 continued to follow
his trade. During the latter year he entered the employ of the
Red Wing Furniture Company, as cabinet maker, continuing at
this work until 1905, when he retired. He died in this city in
September, 1908.
His wife is still living,
at the age of seventy-seven years. The schools of Red Wing
afforded Edwin O. his early educational training, and in 1884
he entered the employ of the Red Wing Furniture Company as
band sawyer. For over a quarter of a century he has continued
at practically the same occupation, making a record of
industry and faithfulness of which any man might well be
proud. Mr. Johnson votes the Republican ticket, but has never
interested himself in public office. He affiliates with the
Scandinavian Benefit Association and belongs to the Swedish
Lutheran church. He is still single. Of the eight others in
Mr. Johnson's family, Charlotte, the oldest, married Charles
Heglund, of Red Wing; Augusta is deceased; Charles E. lives in
this city, as do Gustav A. and Oscar F.; Nellie J. married
Charles McKenna, deceased, and lives in Chicago; Fred E. is
employed in a laundry at Spokane, Wash. The family residence
is at 111 East Eighth street, Red Wing.
HON. F. I. JOHNSON has a civic, military and
political record of which any man might well be proud. He
first demonstrated his ability in public office when he was
elected county commissioner in 1875. In this position he
served until 1880, when he resigned to become a candidate for
the high office of state senator. Overwhelmingly elected, he
soon made himself a power in the senate, and the people of the
county returned him to his seat two times, his services
covering the three terms of 1881, 1883 and 1885. In addition
to this he has served ten years on the state board of equal
assessments, has been chairman of the township eleven years,
and treasurer of school district 42 for over thirty
years. In
business, religious and fraternal circles he has been no less
prominent, having been president of the Farmers' Mutual
Insurance Company, of Vasa, seven years; president of the
Farmers' Elevator at Cannon Falls many terms ; treasurer of
the Spring Garden church twelve years ; trustee of the Orphans
' Home at Vasa twelve years and a director in the Scandinavian
Relief Association thirty years. Mr. Johnson was born in
Sweden, December 25, 1840, son of John Carlson and his wife,
Carrie Johnson, also natives of that country. It was in 1858,
at the age of eighteen years, that the subject of this sketch
first came to the shore of the country of which he was later
to become so prominent a citizen. After working on the St.
Croix, Apple and Snake rivers as a lumberman, with Stillwater,
Washington county, Minnesota, as headquarters, he enlisted in
Company C, Eighth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, August 14,
1862. This company was sent on the Indian expedition, and was
stationed at Ft. Snelling, at Ft. Abercrombie or on the
frontier until the spring of 1864, commanded by that valiant
old warrior, General Sibley. After spending some
time in the Bad Lands and on the banks of the Yellowstone
river, as well as in Idaho, the company returned with the
regiment to Ft. Snelling and was then ordered south, to
Murfreesboro, later participating in the battle of West
Nashville.
January 1, 1865, found them at Washington, after which
they were attached to the Twenty-third Army Corps, and ordered
to Ft. Fisher. This fort, however, was captured before their
arrival, and they accordingly went to Newbern, N. C., and
subsequently to Kingston, N. C., where the army engaged in
battle with the command of General Johnson. At Gouldsboro, N.
C., the regiment took part in another engagement and then
participated in a part of Sherman's march to the sea.
Remaining with Sherman until the time of Lincoln's
assassination, the company was ordered to Kingsboro, N. C.,
and then to Charlotte. N. C., where the mustering out took
place July 11, 1865. On August 1, 1865, the soldiers received
their honorable discharge at Ft. Snelling. After the war, Mr.
Johnson returned to Vasa and lived until 1868, when he moved
to Leon township, where he has since conducted general farming
on 25'5 acres in section 1, Leon township. Of late years the son has
rented the place from his father and has general charge of the
farming operations. The house is comfortable and the barns
well kept, everything about the place bespeaks thrift,
intelligence and hard work. Mr. Johnson was married in 1865 to
Anna Larson, who died in 1875, leaving four children : Edward
A., now clerk of the court at Kittson county, Minnesota; Levi
E., farmer living in the same county; Esther 0., wife of Peter
Johnson, of Cannon Falls, and Anton E., now living in
California. Anton E. is a veteran, as well as his father,
having served in Company F. Thirteenth Minnesota Volunteer
Infantry, in the Philippines. Upon his return to San Francisco
he worked two years as a bookkeeper and then became a
traveling salesman on the Pacific coast. By Christine Johnson,
whom Senator Johnson married in 1876, there were four
children: Alice, Clarence, Susie and Isadore. Clarence manages
the home farm, and Susie and Isadore are deceased. The mother
of these children died in 1887 and Senator Johnson then
married Mrs. Wilhelmena Haggstrom, daughter of G. M. Magnusen,
who still survives.
HENRY MCLAIN JOHNSON, overseer of the county
poor farm in Burnside township, has won much praise from the
citizens of this county for his capable management of that
institution. He serves well the interests of those who taxes
support the place, and at the same time is considerate and
gentle with the homeless and friendless who find in the
almshouse that refuge which Providence has denied them
elsewhere. Mr. Johnson was born in Frontenac, this county,
September 5, 1877, a son of Hans and Gurine (Peterson)
Johnson, who were the parents of nine children: Mary, John
(deceased), Lesa, George, Henry, Maude, Elizabeth, Edith and
Florence. The father and mother came from Norway in 1866 and
soon afterward purchased a farm in Frontenac, where they
raised their large family of children. The father died October
18, 1908. Henry M. received such education as the district
schools afforded, and then took a short course in a business
college. With his father as instructor, he thoroughly mastered
farming, and remained on the home place until 1893, when he
was offered his present position. The poor farm consists of
164 acres, and here Mr. Johnson carries on general
farming. Before
taking county office, Mr. Johnson held several township
positions in Frontenac. He is a Republican in politics and a
popular member of the United Workmen.
J. E. JOHNSON, one of the leading farmers of
Cannon Falls township, was born in Sweden April 10, 1867, son
of Ole and Christina (Kronberg) Johnson, natives of Sweden,
who came to America in 1869 and located in the town of Belle
Creek, this county, where the father worked for five years,
after which they came to Cannon Falls township and purchased
160 acres in section 38, where the father improved the land
and built a home, carrying on general farming until his death,
in 1907. The mother died in 1903. J. E. was the only child,
received his education in the public schools of the township
and worked with his father on the farm. In June, 1891, he was
married to Ida Larson, daughter of Johannes and Carolina
Larson, natives of Sweden, who came to America and settled in
Cannon Falls township, where they engaged in farming. The
mother died in 1887, but the father is still living with his
daughter. Mr. and Mrs.
Johnson have one child, Charles W., who is at home. Mr.
Johnson has made a great many improvements on his farm and
buildings and has a fine home, owning in addition to his
cultivated land thirty acres of good timber. He now
successfully carries on general farming and stock raising. Mr.
Johnson is a Republican in his political views, and has been
chairman of the township board for the past three years,
justice of the peace for two terms, and director of school
district 14 for a number of years. In addition to his Cannon
Falls farm, Mr. Johnson owns 160 acres of land in Lamour
county, North Dakota.
JOHN C. JOHNSON, now retired and living at Red
Wing, is still well known in Belvidere township, where he was
a prominent citizen and farmer, and where he occupied many
important positions of trust and honor during the days of his
activity. Mr.
Johnson was born in Norway, June 15, 1839, son of
Christian and Carrie (Gulickson) Johnson, natives of Norway,
who came to America in 1857 and located in Winnebago county,
Wisconsin, later coming to Belvidere township in 1859, where
the father homesteaded 160 acres of land, which he cleared and
broke. On this place he built a comfortable home and carried
on general farming until his death in October 1901. His wife
died in March, 1899. John C. was educated in the public
schools of his native land. He was brought to America by his
parents as a lad of eighteen years, and in 1861 he decided to
start farming for himself. With this resolve in mind he
purchased 160 acres in Belvidere township, and to this he soon
added eighty more, making in all 240 acres. He broke the land,
built a home, and devoted his attention to general farming,
making a specialty, however, of grain raising, of which he
made a most pronounced success. In 1900 he retired and moved
to the city where he now lives at the corner of Norwood and
Sylvan streets, in a house which he purchased. He continues to
own the farm. During the days of his activity he was chairman
and assessor of the township of Belvidere, and since removing
to Red Wing has served one term as a member of the city
council. He also has a military record. At the last call for
volunteers, he enlisted in the Union army, in January, 1864,
under Captain Carney and Colonel Colvill. He was mustered in at
Nashville, Tenn., as a corporal in Company I, First Minnesota
Heavy Artillery, and did garrison duty at. Chattanooga, Tenn.,
until mustered out at Nashville, Tenn., in September, 1865. He
is a Democrat in politics, and belongs to the Lutheran Church.
Mr. Johnson was married May 6, 1870, at Belvidere, to
Christina Amundson, of that township, daughter of Christ and
Regnaa (Simonson) Amundson, natives of Norway, who came to
America in 1861 and located in Belvidere, where both ended
their days. To Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have been born six
children-Charles, born in 1870, died in 1887; Clara married
Andrew Anderson, of Goodhue township, this county; Alma
married Austin Everson, of Mazeppa, Minn.; Hannah married John
Otterson, now deceased, and lives with her parents ; Inga and
Clarence also live at home.
JOHN C. JOHNSON, Red Wing,
of the firm of Johnson & Nelson, contractors, estimators
and builders, comes of vigorous Norwegian stock, born in
Norway, February 22, 1864, son of J. C. and Anna (Anderson)
Johnson, both natives of that country. The parents carried on
general farming in their native country, the father dying late
in the year of 1863, and the mother in 1903, the latter having
reached a good old age. John C. attended the public schools of
his native land and there grew to manhood, becoming proficient
in the carpenter trade. In 1885, at the age of twenty-one
years, he came to America and settled at Red Wing in which
city he worked until 1887, afterward going to St. Paul and
remaining until 1892. when he again returned to this city.
During his years of labor he had been both frugal and
industrious, and in 1892 his funds and experience were
sufficient to warrant his embarking in business for himself.
He accordingly formed a partnership with E. G. Nelson, in the
contracting business, under the firm name of Johnson &
Nelson. This partnership continued until February 1, 1909,
when they dissolved the partnership, Mr. Nelson moving out of
town and Mr. Johnson continuing the business, the venture
having met with considerable success. Mr. Johnson is an
independent voter, and belongs to the Woodmen, the Foresters,
the E. F. U. and I. O. O. F. He belongs to St. Peter's
Norwegian Lutheran Church. John C. Johnson was married in
1890 to Matilda Quist, daughter of Israel Quist, and to this
union one child, Mabel A. L., was born September 2, 1891. In
1903 Mrs. Matilda Quist Johnson passed away, and Mr. Johnson
was married, some time later, to Anna Mehrkens, daughter of
Henry Mehrkens, of Red Wing. This union has been blessed with
two children-Theodore A. J. born October 23, 1905, and Ellen
H. L., born November 21, 1907.
JULIUS C. JOHNSON, of Pine
Island township, was born in Eau Claire county, Wis., May 26,
1866, son of Christ and Ingre (Simonson) Johnson, natives of
Norway, who came to America and in 1852 settled in Stoughton,
Wis., where they remained eight years, the father being
employed as blacksmith. In 1860 they moved to Eau Claire,
Wis., where the father was head blacksmith for a large lumber
company until 1867. The family then removed to Goodhue county
and purchased land in Pine Island township, where the father
engaged in general farming and also conducted a blacksmith
shop in partnership with his brother. There were five
children in the Johnson home : Dorothea, Julia, Caroline,
Rachel and Julius. The father died in 1891 and the mother
still lives on the homestead with her son. Julius attended the
common schools and worked on the farm, taking entire charge of
the home place at the death of his father. His farm consists
of 160 acres of well improved land, a pleasant home, good
outbuildings, and on which he conducts general and diversified
farming and dairying. In politics he is a Republican. The
family attends the Lutheran church at
Zumbrota.
LAURITZ Z. JOHNSON, of Wanamingo township, was
born in Fillmore county, Minnesota, August 18, 1872, son of
Edward and Guri (Tew) Johnson, natives of Norway, who came to
America in 1849, locating in Fillmore county, and engaged in
fanning until the death of the father, August 17, 1891. The
mother is still living at Peterson, Fillmore county. Lauritz
received his education in the schools at Fillmore and later
attended business college at Ottawa, 111. After leaving school
he was employed in the grocery store for three years at
Ottawa, 111. Then he took up pharmacy for a couple of years,
after which he went to Jewel, Iowa, and took a business
course. When he had completed this course, he returned to the
drug store, and remained until 1889, when he came to Wanamingo
township and purchased the old William Williams farm of 240
acres. Here he made a great many improvements, and built a new
house, with all modern conveniences, including an electric
light plant, with air pressure water system, and hot water
heat. This house is valued at $6,000. He now carries on
general farming and stock raising, and has been very
successful. Mr. Johnson Was married November 16, 1899, to
Angeline Wing, daughter of Charles and Lilly (Hill) Wing,
natives of Illinois, now residents of Leon township. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have
two children: Charles, born October 2, 1906, and Geneva, born
June 15, 1908. Mr. Johnson is a Republican in politics and has
served as town clerk of Wanamingo and as clerk of the school
board of District 61. He owns stock in the farmers' elevators,
creameries at different places, and is also interested in the
Farmers' Telephone Company.
PETER M. JOHNSON, Minneola
township, son of S. J. and Christine Marie (Peterson) Johnson,
was born in Sweden, March 26, 1851. His father and mother were
both natives of Sweden, coming to America in 1870, locating
first in New York state, where they resided one year. In 1871
they removed to Red Wing, but the following year they came to
Minneola township, where they engaged in farming. A few years
later they removed to White Willow, Zumbrota township, where
the father died in 1886. The mother is now residing in Welch,
this county. Peter M. was educated in Sweden, coming to
America in 1868, two years before his parents, and locating in
Red Wing, where he resided for three years. In 1871 he moved
to Minneola township, and four years later, in 1875, purchased
a farm of eighty acres. Here he has since made his home,
improving the land and erecting a house and other farm
buildings, engaging in general farming, but devoting most of
his time to grain raising and dairying. He is a progressive
farmer and honored citizen, having served for several years as
road commissioner. Mr. Johnson is a Republican and with his
family attends the Swedish Lutheran Church. He was married
July 3, 1877, in Hastings, to Sophia Carlson, daughter of C.
J. and Sarah (Jenson) Carlson, natives of Sweden, who came to
America in 1871, locating in Hastings, where they continued to
live until the death of Mrs. Johnson's father, April 27, 1900.
Her mother then went to Center City, Minn., where she resided
with her daughter until her death. May, 1902. Mr. and Mrs.
Johnson have been blessed with eight children-Elsie M., born
July 30, 1878, died July 15, 1898; Helma E., born August 22,
1880, married George Baslington, of Pine Island; John R., born
February 14, 1883; Mabel A., born November 8, 1884; Vinnie S.,
born April 5, 1887 ; Laura L., born December 22, 1889 ; Ethel
W., born August 2, 1892, and Alice V., born June 20, 1898. All
of these are at home.
WILLIAM JOHNSON, traveling
salesman, living at 419 Eighth street, Red Wing, was born in
Norway, October 1, 1853. His parents, John Bersvendson and
Ingeborg Paulson, came to America in 1865 and located at
Bratsberg in Fillmore county, Minnesota. There the father
worked at different trades until 1866, when they moved to
Belle Creek, this county, where he purchased a farm and lived
there until 1871. Their next location was at Lake Sacheteck,
in Murray county, this state. There the father homesteaded 160
acres, and by purchase acquired other land, until he owned 500
acres, upon which he farmed until 1890. After about three
years in Tracy, Lyon county, this state, during which time he
purchased various property, they bought a home in Canby
village, Yellow Medicine county, Minnesota. The mother still
lives in the old homestead, in that village, the father having
passed away some years ago. William attended the schools of
his neighborhood at Belle Creek, and for a year lived in
Murray county. He then returned to Goodhue county, and after
working in the harvest fields and on a farm for a short time,
came to Red Wing and clerked in the grocery store of Watts
Sherman, in 1873 he traveled for Gunder Stuvrud, of Aspelund,
this county, selling farm machinery, with Northfield, this
state, for his headquarters. He returned to Red Wing the same
year and entered the employ of G. R. Sterling & Co., with
whom he remained as clerk and salesman for twelve years. He
became thoroughly conversant with the business and in 1885
purchased Mr. Sterling's interest, the new firm being known as
William Johnson & Co. After about seven years this firm
sold out in 1892 to J. T. Chinnock, and Mr. Johnson became
traveling salesman for the firm of Tarbox, Schliek & Co.,
of St. Paul. This company was bought out by the Western Shoe
Company, with whom Mr. Johnson is at present employed, being
trusted by his employers and liked by those with whom he comes
in contact in the course of his business dealings. Although on
the road for the greater part of the time, Mr. Johnson retains
his interests here, holding stock in several local
manufacturing industries. He is a member of the Commercial
Club and of the Scandinavian Relief Association, in which
latter organization he was a member of the revising board
until the present year. He votes the Republican ticket and
attends the Norwegian Lutheran Church. William Johnson was
married May 15, 1875, to Ingeborg Kirkeby, daughter of Hemming
Kirkeby, of this county. Her mother died many years ago and
her father was married in 1885 to Mrs. Sigfrid Yelvang. To
Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have been born nine children-John H.,
deceased; Inga M., deceased; Ida M., Bertha G., Emma L., Clara
A., William B., Florence I., and Ingeborg B. Ida married W. 0.
Gilruth, of Minneapolis, Minn., manager of the First Mortgage
and Farm Loan Company, of that city. Bertha married G. E.
Mack, of Red Wing, Minn., who travels for the Red Wing Linseed
Oil Company. William is traveling salesman for the Red Wing
Shoe Company, with territory on the Pacific coast. The other
children are living at home. Emma and Florence are
graduates of the Red Wing high school.
JAMES JORDAL was born in
Wanamingo township, where he still resides, August 7, 1872,
son of Hans and Carrie (Flesslie) Jordal, natives of Norway,
who came to America in 1864, locating in Wisconsin, remaining
there two years, after which they came to Holden township,
where they lived two years, then removed to Wanamingo township
and purchased 120 acres of wild land, which the father broke
and cleared, built a home and followed general farming until
his death, June 2, 1891. John received his education in the
common schools of Wanamingo and worked with his father on the
farm until the latter's death, when he took charge of the
homestead and has since carried on a general line of farming.
Mr. Jordal has six sisters and three brothers. Susie married
Peter Rostad, of Belle Creek; Martha married Iver Jellum;
Sarah married Ole Anfinson, Stina married Carl Stromme, of
Hannaford, N. D.; Carrie married Thomas Egtoet; Josephine
married Olaf Anderson, who was killed three months later,
after which she came home to live. The brothers are: Hans, now
of Shell Lake, Wis.; Ole, now of Morrison county, and Henry,
who lives at home. Mr. Jordal is a stockholder in the Farmers'
Elevator and Creamery at Wanamingo, and is a Republican in his
politics. He attends the Lutheran
church.
PETER JORGENSEN, Red Wing,
manager of the Red Wing Furniture Company, is of Danish birth.
His parents, Hans and Marie (Hansen) Jorgensen, came of a
substantial family of that country, the former being a cooper
by trade. He died in 1894, having survived his wife twelve
years. Peter was born in Denmark, January 10, 1850, and at the
age of twenty years determined to seek his fortunes in
America, having already secured a good education in his native
country. His first position was in a bank in Chicago, where he
clerked from 1870 to 1876. From 1876 to 1879 he ran a book and
stationery store in the same city. Deciding that the
Opportunities for advancement were greater in a smaller place,
he came to Red Wing, shortly before 1880, and entered the
employ of the Boxrud Brothers as bookkeeper for three years.
Subsequently he filled the same position in the Red Wing
office of the McCormick Harvesting Machine Company, until
1886, when he became interested in the company of which he has
since been the manager. Under his management the business has
prospered and is now one of the leading business houses of the
city. Mr. Jorgensen is a Democrat in politics and has been too
busy with his business to seek public office. He is a member
of the Masons and the Knights of Pythias and attends the
Episcopal Church. Mr. Jorgensen was married in May, 1881, at
Chicago, 111., to Nanny Danielson, who came from Denmark that
year, her husband having gone back to the old country for the
purpose of bringing her to America to share his fortunes. Her father, Christian,
died in 1901, and her mother is still living in Denmark. To
Mr. and Mrs. Jorgensen have been born nine children. Hans P.
is dead and Marie is Mrs. F. D. Putnam, of Red Wing. Harriet,
Nanny, Eva, Ruth, Esther, George and Elna are at
home.
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