"History of Cottonwood and Watonwan Counties of Minnesota, 1916"



Albert E. Johnson, a well-known and substantial farmer of Madelia township, Watonwan county, who is also the owner of a farm in the neigh-borboring county of Blue Earth, is a native son of Watonwan county and has lived there all his life. He was born on the old homestead farm on which he still makes his home, November 1, 1867, son of Erick and Hansine (Iverson) Johnson, natives of the kingdom of Norway, who came to the United States after their marriage and settled in the vicinity of Leland, Illinois, where they were engaged in farming until 1864, in which year they came to Minnesota and settled in Watonwan county, thus having been among the earliest settlers of this part of the state. Erick Johnson homesteaded eighty acres in section 12, of Madelia township, and there established his home. He was an excellent farmer and it was not long until he was reckoned as among the most substantial farmers of that part of the county. As he prospered he added to his holdings until he became the owner of a fine farm of two hundred and twenty-three acres and there he spent the remainder of his days, his death occurring in 1893. His widow, who still survives him, has always continued to make her home on the old homestead and is still living there, the subject of this sketch also making his home at the same place, where he has lived all his life. Erick Johnson and his wife were the parents of nine children, John, Eddie, Albert, Henry, George, Willis, Clarence and Josipha.

Albert E. Johnson was reared on the paternal homestead place, receiving his education in the district school in that neighborhood, and after his school days continued to make his home there, a valuable assistant to the labors of developing and improving the farm. He married Josie May Bundy, who died some years later, leaving two children, Helen and Elma. Mr. Johnson then married Mary Kroeger, In addition to his management of one hundred and fifty-two acres of his father's estate, Mr. Johnson is aJso engaged in the cultivation of a farm of one hundred and twelve acres which he owns over the line in Blue Earth county, and is doing very well, being recognized as one of the substantial farmers of his neighborhood. He is a Republican and gives a good citizen's attention to local political affairs. He was reared in the faith of the Lutheran church and he and his wife are members of that church, taking a proper interest in all neighborhood good works. Mr. Johnson is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and of the Ancient Order of Yeomen and takes a warm interest in the affairs of both.

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