Peter A. Johnson (Aungrind)
Singsaas, Sør-Trøndelag, Norway

Excerpted from the History of Dunn County, Wisconsin (1925), p. 377

Peter A. Jonson, a prominent farmer and esteemed citizen of the town of Lucas was born in Singsaas, Trondhjem, Norway, Oct. 2, 1864, son of John and Guro (Olson) Aungrind.  The parents were natives of the same locality and farmers by occupation. The father is now dead but the mother is still living on the old home farm. Their children were five in number, namely: Guro, who married a Mr. Flotum and is now a widow living in Norway; Carrie, who is Mrs. Andrew Singsaasbeck and also lives in Norway; Peter A., subject of this sketch; and Ole (first) and Ole (second), both of whom are on the home farm in Norway. 

Peter A. Johnson, the only member of the family in the United States, attended school in Norway and helped his parents on the home farm until 1883, when, in search of better opportunities, he came to America.  Landing at Boston, he came directly to Menomonie, Wis., where his first employment was with the C. M. & St. P. Railway as a section hand. During the following winter he worked for Knapp, Stout & Co. Company and was later with the New Richmond Lumber Co. at Clear Lake, Wis. Then he returned to the employ of the Knapp, Stout & Co., working in the woods in winter and on the drives in spring, while in summer and fall he worked on farms and in western harvest fields. In 1902 Mr.. Johnson went to work for the Hydraulic Brick Co. in Menomonie, and was in their employ for four years; after that he did farm labor for two years.  At none of these occupations, however, was there a chance for much self advancement, but in farming Mr. Johnson saw such opportunity. In January, 1908, therefore, he bought the old Alex Bublitz farm of 120 acres in Section 14, town of Lucas. A very small part of it has been cleared, and a small frame house and log barns had been erected. The 16 years that have since elapsed mr. Johnson has spent in improving the place, and had made excellent progress, having developed a fine farm. In 1914 he built a fine barn of 36 x 72 feet with 16-foot posts, and with the James barn equipment, and in 1917 he erected a substantial eight-room house, partly modern in style and equipment, and he has also put up several out-buildings. He is doing general farming and dairying, keeping mixed grade cattle, and is a stockholder in the New Hudson Road Creamery, the Lucas Ch4eese Factory, and the Waterman-Ehrhart Co. of Menomonie.  Mr. John was married Jan 1, 1907, to Bertha Hofland, who was born in Norway Aug 10, 1877 daughter of Andrew E. and Randi Otellie (Aamodt) Hofland. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have one child, Ruth Gladys, who was born July 19, 1908, and is now attending the Dunn County Agricultural School in Menomonie. The family  are members of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Menomonie.