Johnson, Anna O. 1832 - 1909

JOHNSON, KNUTSON, BLAKSTAD

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 9/5/2021 at 18:40:13

Elkader Register & Argus, Thur., 30 Dec. 1909.

Died, at the home of her brother, Herbrand Knutson, in Wagner township, Mrs. Anna O. Johnson, at the age of 77 years. Mrs. Johnson was born in Nore Pretigjeld Numedal, Norway, June 25th, 1832. At the age of 22 years she left her home in Norway, and coming to this country her first destination was at Rock Prairie, Wis. Her stay there was not very long and she then decided to come to Clayton county, Iowa, where she had a brother, Embret Knutson, living, who had emigrated four years earlier and who, at that time, was making his home with Torkel Peterson, one of the early pioneers of this locality and who was an old friend of the family in the old country, and as neighbors of a life time spent here, they enjoyed the privilege of being good friends and neighbors.

Shortly after her arrival she walked to Clayton in search of work and found work there which netted her the magnificent sum of fifty cents a week, which shows what some of the early settlers had to go through, compared to the present days. She worked there for quite awhile and from there she went to McGregor and was employed by Mr. Hardin, who at that time, was proprietor of what was called the American House. She stayed with Mr. Hardin for several years, working in the hotel, and being a good hard working girl, she drew good wages and was doing well. Whenever harvest time came around, she would go home for a while and helped her parents on the farm. After a few years work in McGregor, she at last came back home and helped to take her share in caring for her parents, her brother, H. Knutson, having taken hold of the old farm and is still living there. She kept house for him until she was married to Ole Johnson, a farmer in Wagner township, and they continued farming until the death of Mr. Johnson ten years or more ago.

Will say here that the home of Mr. and Mrs. Johnson was a pleasant place, and the old time hospitality was there. When she made her home with her parents and brother, some of my earliest recollections recalls a good many pleasant scenes that come back to my memory of old time styles and good cheer and social times spent in the old house situated on the sunny side of a bluff near Roberts Creek. Space will not permit me to dwell much on the past, but this tribute is due her, that all her life was devoted to do good to all who had need of help. She was also known as a hard worker all her days and kept it up until she was attacked by chronic rheumatism, from which she was a patient sufferer for many years and from which she died. She had a good home with her brother, who did his share in taking care of her to the last. She died Dec. 21st and on Dec. 24th was laid to rest beside her husband in the Norway Lutheran cemetery. She leaves to mourn her loss one brother, H. Knutson, and one sister, Mrs. P. A. Blakstad, of Grafton, N.D. In spite of the stormy weather quite a number of friends and neighbors came to take a last look at the friend and neighbor they knew so well. Rev. Aveson preached the funeral sermon.