BIOGRAPHIES: Ole T. JOHNSON, Ettrick Township, Trempealeau Co., WI

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** Posted for informational purposes only -- the poster is not related
to the subject of this biography.

Ole T. Johnson, who is engaged in operating a stock and dairy farm in section 
10 E, Ettrick Township, was born in Telemarken, Norway, Dec. 1, 1854.  His 
parents, Torger and Bergetal Johnson, were natives of the same province.  In 
1860 they set out for America,  but on the voyage over the mother died and 
was buried at sea.  The father with his motherless children on landing in 
this country came west as far as Dane County, Wisconsin, but resided there 
only a short time, removing to Coon Valley, Vernon County, and one season 
later to Trempealeau County.  Here he homesteaded 140 acres in section 14, 
Ettrick Township, also buying an additional 50 acres.  After making that 
farm his home for a number of years, he contracted a second marriage and 
moved to another farm in the neighborhood.  This latter farm he later sold 
to his daughter, Rosa, with whom he resided also for a number of years, or 
practically until the end of his life.  He died in January, 1898, while on a  
visit to his son Ole T.  He was a quiet, industrious man, respected by his 
neighbors and confined his attention to his farm, taking no part in public 
affairs.  By his first wife he had four children, Ole T. being the second born.  
Ole T. Johnson was six years old when he was deprived of a mother's care, and 
at the same time found himself in a new world and amid strange surroundings, 
but like most young children he soon began to feel at home and it was not 
long before he picked up an elementary knowledge of the English tongue.  He 
attended the Hegg schoolhouse,  and when a mere lad began to make himself 
useful on the farm, working for his father for a number of years.  Before he 
was 18, however, he began working in the woods during the winter season and 
continued to do so for six or seven years.  Then, thinking it time to start 
life on his own account, he purchased his present farm of 179 acres, 
consisting of well improved land, with good substantial buildings, on which 
he carries on general farming, making a specialty, however, of breeding 
Shorthorn cattle, and keeping from 30 to 35 on hand constantly.  He is also 
engaged in dairying and is a stockholder in the Ettrick Creamery Company, 
the La Crosse Packing Company, the Farmers Exchange of Blair and the Ettrick 
Telephone Company.  Mr. Johnson assumed the responsibilities of married life 
in his twenty-second year, on Sept. 1, 1876, when he was united to Catherine 
Knudtson, daughter of Uriason and Bretta (Severson) Knudtson.  Both she and 
her parents were born in Hardanger, Norway, the father July 6, 1823, and the 
mother Dec. 13, 1830.  The family came to the United States in 1869, locating 
on the farm on which Mr. Johnson now resides and where Mr. Knudtson lived 
until his death, Feb. 15, 1901.  His wife is still living and resides on the 
Johnson farm with her daughter and son-in-law.  Mrs. Johnson was the second 
born of nine children.  She only attended an English school for two weeks, 
being a pupil for that length of time at the Hegg school.  Mr. and Mrs. Johnson 
are the parents of two children:  Theodore Irvin, born March 19, 1891, and 
Bertha Theolena, born June 4, 1895, who was married April 29, 1917, to Helmer 
Sexie.  They reside with his father, Lars Sexie.  The family are members of the 
United Lutheran Church.  Mr. Johnson usually supports the Republican party, but 
is not active in politics.  As an energetic, prosperous citizen he commands the 
respect of his neighbors.

-Transcribed from the "History of Trempealeau County Wisconsin, 1917",
pages 501 - 502.