WI BIO - Dane Co - JOHNSON, Nels P.
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893, Vol II, pp 475-477

Nels P. JOHNSON, a farmer, residing on section 15, Verona Township, Dane 
County, WI, was born in Norway (as also were his father, mother, and 
grandfather) in 1840. Peter JOHNSON, the father, and the mother, whose 
maiden name was Gertrude NELSON, were both born in 1813. The grandfather, 
John JOHNSON, after living an honest and respected life, died on the old home 
farm where his ancestors had lived for several generations. The wife of this 
old gentleman bore him five children: Eric, James, Peter, Anna, and Michael. 
Engesether, or Engesather, Bergen Stift [Hordaland fylke], was the dwelling 
place of this worthy family, and the posterity of this son, as well as some 
others, have added the name ENGESETHER to their own. Michael was the first 
of the family to come to America, in 1845, followed seven years later by 
Peter, the father of our subject, with his wife and four sons and two 
daughters, including Nels, at that time twelve years old. Two daughters have 
been added to the family of Peter since the emigration to this country.

A small sailing craft of a capacity of but 100 passengers, the "Jurgen 
Brunkost," took them on a Bergen [Hordaland fylke], Norway, and it was nearly 
forty-two days later when they landed [p 476] in NY. They consumed sixteen 
more days getting to Milwaukee, WI, by canal and lake. Eric JOHNSON met them 
there (Eric now bears the name of Eric ENGESATHER) and piloted them to Vienna 
Township. The party reached Milwaukee 05 Jul 1852, having but a few hundred 
dollars in all, which they invested in land upon their arrival here. The 
first purchase was 140 acres, with a few small improvements, about half being 
prairie. Heartily they went to work and soon had built a small log cabin, 
and in the good times which followed prospered greatly. After living in this 
cabin seven years, a nice two-story house was erected, which, with some 
subsequent additions, is now the home of the youngest son, Nels JOHNSON. 
Later, from time to time, 140 acres additional were made to the tract, thus 
forming a snug farm of 280 acres. Besides this, Mr. JOHNSON bought a farm of 
160 acres in another part of the township. Previous to getting the last 140 
acres named, he purchased 320 acres in Mitchell County, IA.

The good mother of this family died in about 1877, aged 64 years, and the 
father in 1886, at the age of 74. Nine children were the fruit of the union 
of this couple: (1) Anna, wife of Ole FARNESS [see also the Dane County, 
WI, biography of Ole M. FARNESS]; (2) Nels P., the subject of this sketch; 
(3) John, a farmer in MN; (4) Eric, a practicing attorney of Decorah 
[Winnishiek County], IA; (5) Nels Johnson, the youngest son, living on the 
homestead; (6) Emily, wife of Lars GRINDE; (7) Carrie, wife of C. O. 
JOHNSON, a farmer of the neighborhood; (8) Mellie, wife of Andrew HUSEBO, a 
farmer in MN; and (9) one child who is dead.

Nels P. JOHNSON, the subject of this sketch, was married at the age of 30 
years to Julia ERICKSON, daughter of Herman and Susan (LARSEN) ERICKSON, both 
of Norway, where she was also born. Her parents came over to this country in 
1854, bringing with them four daughters and one son, who was drowned in the 
lake, at the age of 11 years, while on the way to Milwaukee, WI. One 
daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. ERICKSON after leaving Norway, but all the 
children are dead except Martha, wife of John L. EGGUMM of Dane County, WI. 
The parents of the last named are a venerable couple, being about 82 years of 
age, living with the subject of this sketch. Mrs. ERICKSON is very feeble 
and both are liable to pass away soon.

Nels P. JOHNSON buried his first wife, Julia, in Sep 1887, aged 39 years. 
She left him six children: (1) Gertrude, died 07 Dec 1878, aged about seven 
years; (2) Lina, born 02 Feb 1873; (3) Peter, born 08 Jul 1876; (4) Henry, 
born 13 Nov 1878; (5) Gilbert, born 01 Mar 1881; (6) Edward, born 08 Jun 
1883; all living at home. Our subject, Nels P. JOHNSON, was married again in 
1888 to Randi NELSON, daughter of Nels HANSEN. She was born in Norway and 
came to this country in 1886. Two children were born of this marriage: (1) 
Joseph, born 30 May 1889; (2) Arthur N., born 05 Sep 1890. All of the 
children that are old enough are receiving excellent instruction in the 
English branches and in Norwegian.

Nels P. JOHNSON has a farm of 153 acres and is regarded as one of the most 
thoroughly neat and prosperous farmers in the township. He has just erected 
and completed a barn, 26x100 feet, and a lean, 78x16, affording ample stable 
room for 30 head of stock. Mr. JOHNSON raises corn, oats and tobacco 
principally, and a variety of stock. Our subject is a member of the 
Norwegian Lutheran Church. In politics he is a [p 477] steadfast Republican, 
and has been Assessor and Supervisor of the township. Mr. JOHNSON is highly 
respected by all who know him.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly