John L. and Bertha (Nelson) Johnson

     According to Chris Larson in an August 4, 2001 e-mail: John L. Johnson was the son of Lewis and Dora Johnson and "was married to my great grandmother's sister, Bertha Nelson. John's obituary says he was buried in the Havana Cemetery alongside his parents... John actually died in Amery, Wisconsin and his body was shipped back to Steele County. The services were held in the Presbyterian church there... And his wife is buried with her parents in the Thompson Cemetery."

     The 1860 Federal Census for Dover, Owatonna Post Office, Steele County, Minnesota, done July 3, 1860, lists John Johnson as the second son of Dortesia Johnson. He is 7 years old and was born in Wisconsin. Also listed is Sever, his brother, who is 12 years old and was also born in Wisconsin. Lewis Johnson, their father, is not listed with them (page 29, #12-14).

     The 1870 Federal Census for the Town of Havana, Steele County, Minnesota, done August 18, 1870, lists Lewis Johnson, his wife, Bertina, and his son, John. John is 17 years old, at home, and born in Wisconsin of foreign-born parents (Page 7/223, #32).

     The 1880 Federal Census for the Town of Havana, Steele County, Minnesota, done June 9, 1880, lists John Johnson living with Doritha Johnson, his mother. He is 27 years old and a farmer. He was born in Wisconsin of parents born in Norway. His wife, Bertha, is listed with them. She is 24 years old and keeping house. She was born in Norway of parents born in Norway. John and Bertha have 2 children, Leander, a son, age 3, born in Minnesota of parents born in Norway, and Gertrude, a daughter, age 1, born in Minnesota of parents born in Norway (ED 239, Page No. 13, # 26-30).

     The 1900 Federal Census for Havana Township, Steele County, Minnesota, done June 26, 1900, lists John L. Johnson as the head of household. He was born in January, 1853 and is 47 years old. He has been married for 24 years. He was born in Wisconsin of parents born in Norway, and his occupation is farmer. Listed with him: Bertha, his wife, born October, 1855, who is 44 years old. She has been married for 24 years and has 4 children, all of whom survive. She was born in Norway of parents born in Norway. She came to the United States in 1860, and has lived here 40 years. No naturalization information or occupation is given. Gertrude, their daughter, born in April, 1879, is 21 years old and single; she was born in Minnesota of a father born in Wisconsin and a mother born in Norway; she is a teacher; James T., a son, born in July, 1883, is 16 years old and single; he was born in Minnesota of a father born in Wisconsin and a mother born in Norway; he is at school, and Dora Maybelle, a daugher, born in May, 1888, is 11 years old and single; she was born in Minnesota of a father born in Wisconsin and a mother born in Norway, and she is at school (ED 128, Sheet No. 8B, #69-73). Leander is no longer listed with the family. He would be 23, so he may have lived elsewhere.

     The 1910 Federal Census for the Village of Amery, Polk County, Wisconsin, done April 15, 1910, lists Mrs. J. L. Johnson living with her daughter, Mabel (Dora Maybelle) Mooney, and her family. She is listed as being a widow; thus John Johnson probably died between 1900-1910(ED 167, Sheet 12B, #61).

     John L. Johnson died on October 18, 1908 in Amery, Polk County, Wisconsin. He is buried in the Havana Cemetery, Havana Township, Steele County, Minnesota, beside the graves of his parents, Lewis K. Johnson and Dora.

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