Bio: Johnson, Hans E. (1914)
Contact: Crystal Wendt

----Surnames: Johnson, Thorestenson, Petrick, Hanson, Allen, Redmond, Horan 

----Source: History of Eau Claire County, Wisconsin (1914) pages 745-746 

Hans E. Johnson, a member of the firm of Allen-Johnson Company, general music dealers of Eau Claire, was born in Christiania, Norway, January 6, 1877, and is one of a family of nine children, five of whom grew to maturity, born to Halvor and Christiana (Thorestenson) Johnson. Besides our subject, the others are Elmer H., a machinist; Dora, wife of Harold Hanson; Frank P., a piano tuner, and Joseph, wife of Albert Petrick. The parents came to the United States in 1883 and settled in Eau Claire, where the father, who was a shoemaker by trade, has since been in the employ of the A. A. Cutter Shoe Manufacturing Company. 

Coming to Eau Claire when six years of age, Hans E. grew up in the city, attending the public schools. He started out in life as a messenger boy for the Western Union Telegraph Company, serving in that capacity for one year. He then became clerk for one year, and in 1892 entered the music store of E. W. Allen as clerk, remaining thus employed until 1899, then went to Chicago and for two years was employed as piano tuner for the Straube Piano Company. In 1901 he returned to Eau Claire and worked for Mr. Allen as piano tuner and clerk until 1906, when associated with Mr. James E. Allen he purchased the business of E. W. Allen, which has been successfully carried on since that time under the name of the Allen-Johnson Company. 

Mr. Johnson married, May 25, 1905, Catherine Horan, daughter of Thomas and Theressa (Redmond) Horan. Mr. Johnson is generally popular in the business and social circles of Eau Claire and is a member of the Fraternal Reserved Association of Oshkosh.