BIOGRAPHIES:  John P. JOHNSON, Prairie Farm Township, Barron County, WI

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This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by:  
Vic Gulickson <vic@indy.net>  5 December 2000	
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John P. Johnson, now deceased, for many years a substantial citizen of
Section 10, Prairie Farm Township, was born in Sweden, Oct. 20, 1856, the son
of Johannes and Anna Stina Johnson, who spent the span of their years in that
country. In the family there were eight children: Johannes, John P.,
Christina, Frank, Alfred, Matilda, Andrew and Charles, all of whom except
Johannes and Christine, came, in time, to the United States. John P. was
reared in his native land, there grew to manhood, and became a carpenter and
farmer. He was married June 2, 1879, to Emma Christina Johnson, the daughter
of a neighbor. One child, Helma Caroline, was born. In 1881 he set out with
his family and his brother, Alfred, and his wife's sister, Tilda, and in due
time reached Barron County, where they joined the wife's brother, Samuel, who
was living in Prairie Farm Township. For two years, Mr. Johnson worked in the
saw mills at Cumberland, in this county. In 1883 he secured 40 acres of his
present place in Section 10, Prairie Farm Township. A log house had been built
and an acre or so had been cleared. Here he started farming with almost
nothing. He soon, however, bought a cow, and a little later bought a pair of
oxen. Although the township had been settled many years previous, and Prairie
Farm Village was already a flourishing hamlet, many parts of the township were
but little developed, and Mr. Johnson's farm was practically in the
wilderness. It was some little time before the farm could be made profitable
and for several winters he worked in the woods to earn a little money, leaving
his wife at home to look after the homestead. Her mother, who joined her here,
brought a spinning wheel, and the two spun yarn, and knit mittens and socks
for the family. As the years passed, the family won well-deserved prosperity.
Mr. Johnson developed a good farm, with a good set of buildings, and suitable
equipment. He was interested in the progress of the community and served for a
while as pathmaster. He was respected by his friends and held in high regard
by all, and his death on Nov. 4, 1916, was sincerely mourned. His good wife
was a faithful helpmate in all his undertakings. She is still living on the
home farm with her son Oscar. She was the daughter of John and Anna Lena
(Magnus) Johnson. The eight children in the family were Johanna, Samuel,
Eliza, Lena, Anna, Emma Christina, Tilda and Sophia. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson had
eight children. Helma Caroline died soon after she was brought to this
country. August is also dead. Anton August lives at Hanks, N. D. Selma is
dead. Clark, a veteran of the World War, was born Dec. 24, 1890, and died Oct.
2, 1918, in the United States forces. Lena and Oscar are at home. Oscar is
operating the home place. He is an energetic young farmer, thoroughly
understands his business, and is well liked by all who know him. The family
faith is that of the Swedish Lutheran Church.

--Taken from: History of Barron Co., Wisconsin, H. C. Cooper, Jr., &
Co.,  1922, pp. 610-611.