Walsh County ND Archives Obituaries.....Johnson, Oscar Carl August 21, 1953 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/nd/ndfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Deidre Badker berniebadker@iowatelecom.net March 21, 2014, 11:03 am Personal research as of March 2014 Oscar Carl Johnson was bor​​n January 20, 1870 at Steven​s​ Point, Portage, Wis​co​ nsin to Lewis Johns​en ​and Mary Nilsdatte​r. Found in the 1880 census at Grand Forks, Dakota Territory: Louis Johnson 35, Mary Johnson 30, Caroline Johnson 12, Oscar Johnson 10, Theodore Johnson 7, Olaf Johnson 5, Frank Johnson 4, Willie Johnson 2. Oscar m​arried Bertha Lou​ise G​ulbrandsen on November 2​5, 189​7 at the Rock Creek​ Luther​an Church, Mer​oa, Ceda​r, Mitchell, ​Iowa. The couple had 9 children: Melvin Omar Johnson (b December 08, 1898 Park River, Walsh, N Dakota; d January 15, 1994 Park River, Walsh, N Dakota); Archie Golen Johnson (1900 - 1976); Lillian Cora Johnson (1902 - 2002 ); Victor Oliver Johnson (1904 - 2000); Elmer Clifford Johnson (1906 - 1986); Esther Irene Johnson (1907 - 1994); Olaf Raymond Johnson (1909-1996); Blanche Hazel Johnson (1911 - 2007); Florence Naomi Johnson (1914 - 2003). Found in the 1900 -1930 censuses at Fertile, Walsh, North Dakota: 1900: Oscar Johnson 30, Louise Johnson 26, Melvin O Johnson 1. 1910: Oscar Johnson age 40, Louise Johnson 36, Melvin Johnson 12, Archie Johnson 10, Cora Johnson 8, Victor Johnson 6, Almer Johnson 4, Irene Johnson 2, Olaf Johnson 5/12, Karen Hilson 20, Bernhard Nilson 24, Frank Johnson 34. 1920: Oscar Johnson 49, Louise Johnson 45, Melvin Johnson 21, Archie Johnson 19, Cora Johnson 17, Victor Johnson 15, Elmer Johnson 13, Irene Johnson 12, Olaf Johnson 10, Hazel Johnson 8, Florence Johnson 5, Bernhard Nelson 32. 1930: Oscar Johnson 60, Louise Johnson 55, Cora L Johnson 27, Victor C Johnson 25, Olaf R Johnson 20, Hazel B Johnson 18, Florence Johnson 15, Clifford Frovarp 20. Found in the 1940 census at Park River, Walsh, North Dakota: Oscar Johnson 70, Bertha L Johnson 65, Olaf R Johnson 32. Oscar Carl Johnson died ​August 21, 1953​ at Park Rive​r, Walsh, N​orth Dakota​ and was buried at the Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery, Park River, Walsh, North Dakota. Find A Grave Memorial# 37531350 Biography; Walsh County, North Dakota History; provided by Lorraine Paulson; Oscar Carl Johnson; Oscar Johnson was born in Stevens Point, Wisconsin on January 29, 1870. He received his early education in Wisconsin. Oscar came to Fertile Township, Dakota Territory with his parents, Olaus and Marie Johnson in 1880. He grew up on the family homestead living first in a sod house, then a log cabin and later a wood frame house. All of the children helped on the family homestead since there were many chores to do, such as splitting wood and carrying ashes. Olaus helped each of his boys start out in farming. In partnership with his father, Oscar purchased a quarter section of land one mile west of his father's homestead in 1892 from a Martin Olson. By 1899 Oscar purchased his father's share of that land. Oscar later purchased his father's homestead. It is now owned by a grandson of Olaus, Olaf Johnson, and is being farmed by John Paulson, a great grandson of Olaus. The land has been in the family for over 110 years. On November 25, 1897 Oscar married Bertha Louise Gulbrandson at Rock Creek Lutheran Church near Osage, Iowa. Louise, as she was always known, was born on April 26, 1874 on her parents' farm near Nora Springs, Iowa. Louise and Oscar met while Louise was a country school teacher in Fertile Township. Louise attended the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. Oscar and Louise became the parents of nine children, Melvin, Archie, Cora, Victor, Elmer, Irene, Olaf, Hazel and Florence. All of the children were born at home assisted by a mid- wife. As the family grew, additions were added to the small original home. Oscar and Louise lived on the farm until they retired and moved into Park River in 1935. A son, Victor, and his wife, Verna, purchased Oscar and Louise's home farm. Over the years Oscar and Louise purchased additional land and at one time farmed about 1,000 acres. Oscar and his family raised grain, potatoes, and livestock, including sheep, pigs, chickens, turkeys, horses and cattle. At one time they had as many as 30 or more horses which were kept in two barns and an addition to one of the barns. The whole family looked forward to spring and the birth of new colts, lambs and calves. In 1917 Oscar purchased his first Altman Taylor threshing machine and a Nilson tractor. Late summer was a busy time as they threshed for themselves and for several neighbors. Meals were provided for the harvest help in the cook car. As time passed, Oscar and Louise brought over several young men and women from Norway to assist on the farm. They lived with the family and were provided room and board along with a small salary. One of the men from Norway, Bernard Nilson, remained and assisted on the farm for about 16 years. Oscar saw agricultural technology progress from horse-drawn equipment to tractors. The first automobile he owned was a 1912 Oakland followed by a 1917 Oakland. The barn which Olaus built on the homestead in 1902 and the granary still remain on the original site and are kept in good condition. After the fire which destroyed Olaus and Marie's house in 1913, they stayed with Oscar and his family until the new house was ready. Oscar and Louise were honored on their 50th wedding anniversary in 1947 at Zion Lutheran Church, rural Hoople, where they were members. Oscar died August 21, 1953 at the age of 83. Louise died in May 1967 at the age of 93. They are buried at Zion along with Oscar's parents and many other members of the Johnson family. A granddaughter, Lorraine Paulson, says that she will always treasure and remember Christmas at her grandparents' home. On Christmas Eve all the relatives gathered for an evening turkey dinner followed by a program around the Christmas tree and the exchange of gifts. She remembers her Grandpa Oscar as a kind, quiet, loving and thoughtful person. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/nd/walsh/obits/j/johnson141gob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ndfiles/ File size: 6.6 Kb