BIOGRAPHIES: Peter A. JOHNSON, Cumberland Township, Barron Co., WI ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. Transcribed by Kate Wilson. Edited and submitted by Vic Gulickson 3 January 2004 ************************************************************************ Peter A. Johnson, a retired farmer living in Section 2, Cumberland Township, has for many years been one of the active and useful factors in the life of his neighborhood, and there are few ventures in the community in which he has not had his share. Likewise in public life he has done his full duty as a patriotic and loyal citizen. He was born in Norway, Oct. 25, 1856, the son of Joseph and Caroline (Larson) Johnson, who were born, lived and died in that country. He attended school in his native land, and as soon as he was of suitable age, worked on farms in the summer season and in the woods in the winter. In 1884 he came to America, landed in New York, and came directly to Cumberland, in this county. For a while he was employed by the “Soo” line near Poskin Lake, this county, and for a while did farm work near Hudson, in St. Croix County, Wis. In 1885 he purchased 40 acres in Section 2, Cumberland Township, from Knapp, Stout & Co. To this he later added 40 acres more, making a good farm of 80 acres. He put up a shack, and a log barn, 24 feet square, and there established his home. The first year, in order to get a little money to live while developing his place he worked in sawmills for the Beaver Lake Lumber Co. For a while he did contract work for Knapp, Stout & Co., logging. Little by little he built up his place and developed a good farm. For a time it was hard to get along, but he persevered, and in his efforts met with success. As means permitted he put up a good set of modern buildings to replace the log structures. Mr. Johnson not only labored hard to get his own place started, but he also did everything he could to assist in the development of the neighborhood. He encouraged people to come here, especially his friends in the old country, and after they got here he gave them advice as to good locations and as to how to get started. As a further movement toward development, he helped to make and to keep repaired many of the important roads in the township. As an output for the products of the herds, he helped to organize the Star Cheese Factory. When the McKinley Telephone Co. was started, he took shares in it. A man of devout faith with a feeling that no community should be without a church, he donated lumber for the building of the Norwegian Lutheran Church in Section 10. In public life, his talents were called into requisition, and he did good service as town treasurer and town supervisor. In 1920 he retired and turned the place over to his son-in-law, Ole Rolla, with whom he now makes his home. Mr. Johnson was married Dec. 27, 1882, in Norway, to Anna Nelson, who was born in Norway, Sept. 26, 1856, the daughter of Nels and Anna (Benidson) Nelson, who spent all their lives in Norway. Mrs. Johnson died June 7, 1918. She was a most worthy woman, a sympathetic wife, an understanding mother, and a good friend and neighbor. Of the children, Jennie is dead. Christina was born Oct. 4, 1883, and is the wife of Ole Jacobson, of Minneapolis. Amelia was born July 18, 1884, and is the wife of Harry Hanson, of Minneapolis. Julia was born Nov. 2, 1885, and is the wife of Ole Rolla, who is carrying on the home farm in an energetic and intelligent manner. Anna was born Feb. 19, 1889, and is the wife of Jens Engen, of Minneapolis. Clara was born Dec. 24, 1891, and is the wife of John Dahl, of Cumberland. Josephine was born July 24, 1894, and is the wife of Louis Anderson, of Stillwater, Minn. Jennie was born April 26, 1896, and is the wife of Lars Putwin, of Minneapolis. Helma was born Dec. 27, 1901, and lives in Stillwater. --Transcribed from: History of Barron Co., Wisconsin, H. C. Cooper, Jr., & Co., 1922, pp. 437-438. © All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm