Johnson, Ole 1838 - 1907

JOHNSON, WOLD, OLSON, CHRISTIANSON, LARSON

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 5/2/2019 at 09:55:56

Elkader Register, Thur., 11 July 1907.

Died, at his home in Wagner township, Monday, July 1st., Ole Johnson, at the age of 69 years, 5 months and 23 days.

The subject of this sketch was born in Norway, Jan. __, 1838, and his childhood days were spent in that country. When he was about twelve years of age his parents decided to come to this country and about the year 1850 they arrived in Clayton county, where his father procured a farm in Marion township and here he and his father and brothers and sisters started to clear _____ home and better their condition. They were successful and in a few years had built up a good comfortable home according to the views of a home at that time. Ole being the oldest of the boys, helped his father in the ________ days and worked hard to assist his parents in the early struggles. In 1__8 he was confirmed by Rev. Kasen, who is still living and who was one of the earliest ministers of the Lutheran church in this vicinity.

May 2nd, 1871 he was united in marriage to Miss Anna Wold, of Wagner township. It ____ be interesting to state here that theirs was one of a triple wedding held at the old Ole Wold farm. The other couples were Ole Wold, Jr., and Miss Carrie Olson and Ole Christianson and Gunild Wold. Of the three bridegrooms Mr. Johnson was the last, the others having passed away in the prime of their life. Mr. Johnson bought his father's farm soon after his marriage and his parents made their home with him until their death and he always cared well for them. In 1884 he sold the old farm to Jacob Clark and bought the Ezra Patterson farm in Wagner township, where he lived until the time of his death. Their home was always a pleasant place to visit and Mr. Johnson always had a pleasant and jovial manner and made everyone feel at home.

He was a good father and tried to make a good home for his family and in this he was ably assisted by his wife, who, by her untiring work and energy, always did her full share of the work of bringing up their large family of thirteen children, all but one of whom are living, a little girl, Ruth, having died several years ago at the age of four years.

He was a successful farmer and in the course of time accumulated a good sized fortune and at the time of his death was rated as one of the wealthiest men of the township. About two years ago his health began to fail and being endowed with a strong constitution such as few men possess now-a-days, he fought the grim messenger of death for almost two years, gradually growing weaker and realizing that the end must soon come, arranged his earthly affairs and sold his farms to his two sons, Olavus and Henry. Otto, the oldest son, is postmaster and hardware dealer at St. Olaf, the oldest daughter, Helen, is married to Louis Larson, of Lily, S.D., and another daughter, Emma, is the wife of Joseph Larson, of St. Olaf, the rest of the children are living at home.

On Wednesday, July 3rd, he was laid to rest in the Norway cemetery in Wagner township, carried to his last resting place by five of his sons, Otto, Henry, Olavus, Benjamin and Rudolph, and one son-in-law, Joseph Larson. A large gathering of friends and relatives came to pay their last respects to their old friend, who was so well known to all of us. Rev. Arveson preached the funeral sermon.