Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1911-08-23

"e' wv CAAe1G AAS AuJu1y was SUCu
that an operation meant certain
death, and unless the pressure upon
the brain could be relieved he would
never recover the full use of his body.
The doctor expressed his willingness
to try another method Of treatment,
and johnson remained under his care
for long time, being finally dis
charged much improved. Going back
to Rock Island the steamer sprung a
leak and was beached about thirty
miles below Rock Island. The re-
naming distance had to be travelled
on foot in the chill Of early winter,
and johnson was again bed-ridden
from the exposure until spring. He
was laid up one year and three
months in all. A brother, John John
son, came over from Sweden, and
together they worked in the vicinity
OF Rock Island several years. Louis
health was not the best, and he con-
templated moving to Minnesota to es-
cape the malaria. He met a man en-
ployed on the Chicago & Quincy rail
road, who had been in Minnesota and
who advised him to seek land on the
prairies west of the Big Woods. With
his brother he had received some
money from Sweden, but lost a good
deal Of it because of the unstable
condition Of the bank currency. He
finally deposited $3.50 in one bank
and $500 in another Of the Rock Is.
land banks, with assurance that the
certificates would be honored at St..
Paul. With his brother and their
families they made their way to Min
nesota. After finding claims that
pleased them at Lake Elizabeth, they
went to st. Paul for their money. The
banks would not honor their ex-
change, and they had to return to
Rock Island. Here they received $75
for the $3.50 deposit, and were thank
full to get that. The other bank ask
ed for more time. They secured a
portion of the money and land
warrant with which to pay for their
land. Louis returned to the claim at
Lake Elizabeth, where he built a log
house, the family in the meantime liv-
ing in small shanty at Lake Rip
ley. They moved upon their claim in
September, 1861. Mr.. Johnson's
story Of his experiences with the
Sioux Indians and later Of the out
break we will publish in some future
issue Of the Willmar Tribune. After
the outbreak and the attempts with
his neighbors to recover what per-
sonal property they could from their
claims, johnson with family lived at
Anoka. With the families of E. P.
Wicklund and John johnson they oc-
cupied the third story Of a ware
house fronting upon the river. Dur
ing the absence Of the Johnson Bro
theirs at St. Paul the warehouse
burned, destroying the provisions and
clothing provided for the winter, and,
what was infinitely worse, a boy of
Louis Johnson's family, John, aged
two years and four months, persisted
in the flames. The first winter after
the outbreak Mr.. Johnson secured
employment at threshing wheat with
a fail at 81 a day, but necessaries of
life were so high, particularly cloth
ing, that it was very difficult to get
along. In the summer of 1865 the
settlers of Lake Elizabeth went to
their claims and put up hay, etc., and
moved back in the fall. In spite of
periods Of serious illness, Mr.. John
son prospered. In 1902 he retired
from the active management of the
farm, and moved to Atwater.
Mr.. johnson was devout member
Of the Swedish M. E. church which
he helped to sustain Since their first
arrival in the county. Among other
contributions for church and chart
table purposes, Mr.. johnson has sup
ported one native missionary in In
dia for the past twenty-five years.
That he lived to such ripe old
age, after the vicissitudes experienc-
ed, he regarded as a special blessing
Of Providence.
Mr.. Johnson was united in mar
riage with Miss Carrie johnson at
Knoxville, ILL.,, in March 1856, and
she survives him. Seven children
were born to them, four of whom
survive the father: Albert King, now
editor Of Sk0rdemannen, the Swed-
ish agricultural paper, at Minneap-
oils; William, now managing the old
homestead; Mary, wife Of Charles
Danielson, residing in the township
of tennessee, and Emma who resides
at Atwater with her mother.
The funeral held last Monday was
one Of the largest attended ever held
at Atwater. Brief services were held
at the residence at Atwater at two
o'clock, and services at the Swedish
Methodist church thirty minutes lat
er. The services were conducted by
Rev. A. G. Hultgren, the local past
or, assisted by Rev. ]. "A. Wagner Of
ISt. Paul, former pastor at At
water; by G.. Edwards. Dist. Snnt