Original Homesteaders, Axel S. Johnson

We are digging into the history of each property we are reclaiming old buildings here at Old Barn Woods to tell a little bit about the original homesteaders and as much information as we can find.  We have found old photos and video from the first property which was homesteaded by Axel Johnson that we will be sorting and adding as well over time.  Below is a brief history about the original old homesteader for property number 1.  

Axel S. Johnson was born on Sept. 27, 1878, at Skara, VAstor-Gootland, Sweden.  He emigrated to the U.S. in 1899 and came to Buffalo, Minn.  Shortly thereafter he went to Galesburg, North Dakota, where he worked on farms.

In 1905, he and his brothers Otto and Algot came to Mckenzie County and each filed on a homestead in Tobacco Garden Township.  In 1911 he leased his homestead to Mr. Charles Skoglund and went to Canada and filed on a homestead in Alberta.  He made his home there for three years.

While he was in Canada, a tornado struck the buildings on his homestead in Tobacco Garden and destroyed the house, barn and granary.  Only the Sod House was undamaged.

In 1914 he moved back to the U.S. and was employed as a carpenter in Minneapolis for two years. 

On August 22, 1916, he married Clara M. Anderson who was born on March 28, 1890, at Ettebra, Blekinge: Sweden and came to the U.S. in 1909

In 1917 they moved to his original homestead in Garden Township where they lived until Mrs. Johnson died in July 1954.  Mr Johnson died in February of 1962.

They were blessed with four sons and three daughters.