Martin Johnson Nesset, was born near Grue, Hedmark county, Norway, on January 8, 1836. He was baptized on April 3, 1836 at the same place. He was the son of Johannes Arnesen Tostensbol and Olia Christiansdatter Vangerud.
He married Bertha Gundersdatter in 1862, in Norway. She was the daughter of Gunder Erickson Kirkhus and Eli Nilsdatter, and was born November 11, 1814 at Grue, Hedmark, Norway. Martin and Bertha (or Bertea) had one child born to them in Norway--that was Ole Johnson. They immigrated to the United States on April 21, 1864.
Bertha was baptized on August 16, 1840 at Brandval, Hedmark, Norway. She died on December 17, 1910, at Otranto, Iowa.
In 1885 he and his family, including eight children, were living in Otranto township at TWP 100, Range 18, section 25 (SW 1/4). Martin farmed in Mitchell County, Iowa, most of his life.
It is said that Martin loved to play with his children, and would join right in with them. When he was about 80 years old, Martin went to the Chicago Worlds Fair and rode the roller coaster.
Martin and Bertha were the parents of 12 children, including: Ole M., Gunder George, Julius Martin, Amelia Olina, Gustav Martin, Mathilde, Emma, Ida, Betsy, Annie, Minna, and Gunder George.
Martin seemed to have trouble with his name. Some names he was known by include: Martin Johannesen Nesse, Martin Johnson Nesse, Martin Johnson, Martin Nesset, Martin Nesseth, and his grave marker clearly says: Martin Nesse. So it appears he finally settled with the old Norwegian farm name. some of his children took the Johnson surname, and others took the Nesset surname.
Martin Nesse died on March 3, 1920, at St. Ansgar, and was buried in Pleasant Hill cemetery near Mona, Iowa, on March 6th.