History of Clark County, Wisconsin (1918; Page 267

OLE JOHNSON, SR (History – 1844)

Ole Johnson, part owner with his son, Michael, of a 160-acre farm in Section 17, Levis Township, was born in Norway in 1844.  There he married Martha Johnson, and for a number of years they were engaged in farming, their estate being known as Myhrlukken farm.  In 1878 they resolved to emigrate to the United States and, accordingly, set out with their four children – John, Michael, Ole and Jennie – making the voyage across the Atlantic on a steamer.  After a journey of three weeks and four days they arrived in Neillsville, Clark County, Wis., having made the last lap of their journey by stage from Humbird.  Ole Johnson went to work in the woods, and the family located on a tract of land in Section 18, Levis Township, the tract being owned by Mrs. Johnson’s brother, Tobe Johnson.  There was a log house on it, which they utilized for a residence.  At that time there were only three settlers in the township, and of those three Ole is the only one now living.  On that place they lived five years, and at the end of that time bought forty acres of land in Section 17, Levis Township, the tract being that which constitutes in part their present farm.  It was then covered with timber, and the first thing necessary was to build a log house, which Mr. Johnson did, making it 28 by 30 feet in size, which was larger than the average pioneer dwelling.  This building has since been enlarged and improved, and is the present residence of the family.  Mr. Johnson also built a log barn, and since then other and more modern buildings have been erected by him, or his son Michael, including a good silo.  In early days they used an ox team and jumper, and their surroundings were of the usual pioneer character, but they have kept up with the march of progress, and the farm is now well improved and adapted to the purposes of modern agriculture, which is successfully carried on.  Ole Johnson and wife are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church, but as there is none of that denomination in this vicinity they attend and support the Presbyterian Church in Levis Township.  In addition to the four children already mentioned, who accompanied them from Norway, four others have been born to them, namely: Anna, Tillie, Minnie and Free.

Contributed by Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon.