OBITUARY: Lewis H. (Lars) Johnson, 1835-1927, Mitchell County, Iowa




                       Lewis H. (Lars) Johnson

Lewis Helgeson (Lars) Johnson was born in Aadalen, Norway on February 17,
1835 to Helge and Gunnild Johnson Rodningsand.  He died February 12, 1927
at the home of his daughter Mrs. Olive Howe of St. Ansgar.  Death came as
a result of the complications of old age.  His passing marks the end of a
long life of varied experiences and severs one more link that connects the
present time with the early history of Mitchell County.

The family came from Norway in 1852 and located for a short time in
Wisconsin, but rumors of the beauties of the Iowa prairies soon sent them
westward again.  In 1853 his father, Helge J. Rodningsand joined the Clausen
Colony which came that year as the first group of white settlers in Mitchell
County.  He was one of the charter members of the St. Ansgar Lutheran church,
organized December 4, 1853.

The next year the family followed Helge to Mitchell County and a home was
established southwest of Osage on government land, purchased at $1.25 per
acre.  At that time, the nearest market was McGregor, one hundred miles
east, with the only means of travel being a yoke of oxen and lumber wagon.
It goes without saying that life was a serious challenge to those early
pioneers.  What they endured can hardly be believed by this generation.
Under these conditions a home was made in the new country, the dwelling
for many years being a house built from hand-hewn logs.

Later, the railroad came closer and life, in many ways, became easier.
During the 60 years that Mr. Johnson remained on the farm, he saw a
wonderful development in it and the surrounding country.

He was a man of strong character and exerted a kindly influence in his
family and neighborhood.  He was anxious that his children enjoy the
educational advantages that had been denied him.  He was baptized and
confirmed in the Viker church of his native land.  Mr. Johnson was a
charter member of the Rock Creek Lutheran Church.  He was one of the
men sent to Minneapolis to buy the lumber for the church.

In 1868, he was married to Brita Johannessen, who died in 1876.  In 1877,
he married Ingeborg (Belle) Tollefson of St. Ansgar.  Since 1912, he has
made his home in the homes of the following daughters: Mrs. Lewis (Hanna
Emilia) Field of Manly; Mrs. E.L. (Estella) Wahl of Otranto; and Mrs.
Olive Howe of St. Ansgar where kind hands have given him the best of care.

Besides these daughters, he leaves his widow, and the following children:
Mrs. Nellie J. Wood of Colfax, IA; Clara Johnson of St. Joseph, MO; and
Ole J. Johnson and Mrs. Peter B. (Helen) Larson, both of this community.
Sixteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren also survive.

All his children and grandchildren were present at the funeral, which was
held at the home of Mrs. Olive Howe at St. Ansgar at 12:00 o'clock and at
the Rock Creek Lutheran Church at 2 o'clock on Tuesday, February 15, 1927.
The Rev. O.C. Myhre officiated and interment was in the Rock Creek Lutheran
cemetery.




    Copyright 2005 Steve Norby