John A. Johnson: An Uncommon AmericanMain MenuIntroductionEarly DaysSettlement in WisconsinEntrance Into PoliticsCivil WarBusiness EndeavorsFuller and Johnson CompanyGisholt Machine CompanyThe Public SchoolKristina Warnerc8c3eeb8fc534b4204fc4ece92574ef9ee4ab6bd
Early example of a Norwegian homestead in Wisconsin, undated
1media/p0691_00003_thumb.jpg2024-03-19T13:06:27+00:00Kristina Warnerc8c3eeb8fc534b4204fc4ece92574ef9ee4ab6bd51Possibly part of the Johnson family homestead. In 1852, the family to Pleasant Springs, Wisconsin.plain2024-03-19T13:06:27+00:0020231010121957-0500Kristina Warnerc8c3eeb8fc534b4204fc4ece92574ef9ee4ab6bd
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1media/nmmn_00010.jpg2024-03-18T17:22:38+00:00Settlement in Wisconsin22plain2024-10-18T21:12:13+00:00 When the family eventually arrived in Wisconsin, the Johnson family owed a debt to Ole Vale. Anders found it important to repay Vale the money as soon as feasible. With the help of a friend, the Johnson family found a temporary home in a log house located near Heart Prairie until they could find permanent shelter for themselves. Right away, Anders started working to repay the debt, which included building Vale a house. However, soon Anders and the children became sick with malaria. During this hard period of time for the Johnson family, Mother Aaste and Aunt Mari found ways to support the family.
John, at the young age of 12, helped support his family by living with an American family. This was a pivotal moment for John as this family treated him kindly and sent him to an “English” school. During the summer, when not living with the family, Johnson was employed by farmers in the Heart Prairie region for five summers. John finished his schooling in 1850 in Fort Atkinson. The year that the Johnson family arrived in the Heart Prairie area, Rev. Claus L. Clausen formed a congregation – Heart Prairie Lutheran Church. In 1848 at the age of 16, John was confirmed by Rev. J.W.C. Dietrichson.
By the time the Johnson family paid their debts and saved money to purchase land, much of the land in their area was already purchased by settlers from New England. The family moved to the Koshkonong area where they could purchase forty acres of government land at $50. The land was quite poor, both swampy and rough. Eventually, they purchased forty more adjoining acres.
Life in Madison
Johnson married Karen Kristine Thompson in 1856. Their families had been friends in Norway. Johnson and Thompson were born the same year and sailed together on the “Salvator” for America. She died in 1860, leaving him with a newborn daughter and their only child. Their daughter, who shared her mother's name, only survived six months. After her death, Johnson sold his personal property on the farm and moved to Madison to bury himself in his new duties. John eventually married Kaia Nicoline Marie Kildahl of Milwaukee on October 31, 1861. Together they had six children: Frederick A. Johnson (1862-1908), Ella Josephine Johnson (1864-1866), Ida Astella (Fisk) (1867-1949), Carl A. Johnson (1870-1931), Hobart Stanley Johnson (1873-1942), and Maurice Ingolf Johnson (1876-1935).
