Ever Johnson

As printed in 1916

EVER JOHNSON.

Ever Johnson has the distinction of having been one of the first employees of the Northern Pacific railroad who is still in the service of that company. He began as a section hand when the track was a single one and the trains were combination affairs, and has watched the transportation service evolve into a wonderful organization. He is also one of the few foremen who have remained in the service of that company covering a period of so many years.

Ever Johnson is a native <d Norway and was born near Trondhjem, February 26, 1860,. He is one of ten children born to John and.Martha Johnson, both natives of Norway, who emigrated to America in 1873. Their first location was in Ashland, Wisconsin, where they remained for a period of one year, removing to Wadena county, Minnesota, and there settled on an eighty-acre homestead. This place was cleared and improved and became their permanent residence until the death of John Johnson in 1895. The first buildings erected on this place were crude affairs built of logs. After the death of John Johnson, his widow. Martha Johnson, removed to Washington state, where she joined her children, and one year later, in 1906, passed to her eternal rest. In life they were both members of the Norwegian Lutheran church. The names of their children follow: Ever, Mary, Swan, John. Xels, Charles, Maria, Plelmar, and two who died in infancy. Alary became the wife of Andrew Ostrom and died in Wadena county. Swan is a farmer and lives near Leaf River station. Wadena county, Wisconsin. John was a millwright, of Bellingham, Washington, and his death occurred in that place. Xels Johnson is a blacksmith and resides in Bellingham, Washington. Charles is a farmer living near Leaf River station, Wadena count) Minnesota. Maria became the wife of John Thompson, and also resides at Leaf River station. Helmar is a farmer living at Leaf River station.

Ever Johnson received his education in the public schools of Norway and in Vshland, Wisconsin. This education was very poor, as he was the son of pioneer parents and forced to become the arbiter of his own destiny at an early age. His early youth was spent on the old home place, where he assisted his father in the cultivation of his land. At the age of eighteen years he entered the service of the Northern Pacific railroad as a section laborer. His service in this capacity was of such value to the company that he was soon promoted to section foreman, a position which he still retains. This service has covered a period of thirty-seven years of honest and sincere endeavor in behalf of the company. In 1887 he removed to Bluffton and two years later erected the home in which he now lives.

On June 28, 1891, liver Johnson was united in marriage to Mabel Howes, daughter of James and Lucinda Howes, a native of Hancock county, Iowa. Ever Johnson and his wife are the parents of seven children: dayton, who lives in Bluffton; Even, Albert. Charley, Chauncy, Ever and Irene. The parents of Mabel ( Howes) Johnson came to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, about 1879 and settled on a homestead in Bluffton township, which they later sold, retiring to the town of Bluffton. Lucinda Howes, the mother, passed away in 1013. James Howes, the father, was born in 1840. in Clinton county, Iowa, and removed to Ft. Howard, Wisconsin, in 1866. In 1873 he removed to Hancock county, Iowa, removing rive years later to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where he still resides. He served his country as a soldier during the Civil War, and has served his community as postmaster for some years. After the death of his first wife he married Clara Hoppes, who is still living.

Ever Johnson was for many years a stanch Republican, but now lends his support to the Democratic party. He was elected and served as a member of the town council some time. Fraternally, he is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America. He is sincerely respected and stands high in the esteem of his fellow citizens.

As printed in History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota : its people, industries, and institutions : with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the old families (1916). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.