Svend Johannesen Haugen and Sigri Iversdatter Odegaard - JOHNSON FAMILY -

This is a look at Svend Johannesen Haugen and Sigri Iversdatter Odegaard - JOHNSON - along with their Parents, Siblings, and Children.

I hope that this web page can become a collection of information and a resource for family and friends. I plan to update, and/or, correct this page as new information is discovered.

Thanks for your help.

Eugene (Gene) D. Johnson (son of Ellsworth and Rowena Heffley, grandson of Iver and Anna Ryan and great grandson of Sevn and Sigri Berg - JOHNSON)
446 Trinity Drive, Allen, TX 75002
469-675-1316
Last updated: August 4, 2004

Johannes Mikkelsen Haugen (1806 – 1872) born at Onstadeie, Aurdal, Valdres, Norway.
his father: Mikkel Johannesen Haugen , son of: Johannes Einerson Aaberg (1708 - 1792) and Giertrud Mikkelsdatter Koldsbreche
his mother: Agathe Olsdatter MidtStrandeie (1776 - 1828) daughter: of Ole Arneson Midtstrand (cr.1729 - 1791) and Ragnild Helgesdatter Midtstrand

Johannes married in 1831: Marit Svendsdatter Gausdgereir (1807 – 1898)
her father: Sven Thordson Gausdgereir (1778 - 1837) son of: Thord Thoreson Gausaker (1746 - ?) and Marit Svendsdatter Ulneseie
(1747 cr. 1811)
her mother: Sigri Amundsdatter Lien (1763 - 1841) daughter of: Amund Svendsen Lien (cr. 1721 - 1805) and Berte Olsdatter Lundane
(cr. 1729 - 1797)

(Marit immigrated to Stanton County, Nebraska, in 1873, after her husband died, along with her son Ole and daughter Ragnild. She is burried in the Stanton County, Nebraska, "Norwegian Cemetery".)

Johannes and Marit had the following children:
1. Agathe Johannesdatter (1830 – between 1861 & 1865), Agathe did not emigrate
2. Johannes (John) Johannesen (1834 – 1884), John emigrated in 1866 with wife Margit Hallsteinsdatter
3. Svend Johannesen (1837 – 1931), Sven emigrated in 1868 with wife Sigri Iversdatter Odegaard
4. Siri (Sarah) Johannesdatter (1844 – 1919), Sarah emigrated in 1868 with husband Halver Halverson
5. Berit Johannesdatter Haugen (1846 – 1909), Berit did not emigrate
6. Ragnild Johannesdatter (1848 - 1943), Ragnild emigrated in 1873
7. Ole Johannesen (1852 – 1937), Ole emigrated in 1873

The picture below shows Sven and some of his siblings:





This page will discuss the family of Ole Johnson, Brother to Sven Johnson and Uncle to Iver Johnson.

7. Ole Johannesen (Johnson) (1852 – 1937)
m. 1877 Karen Lavina Johnson (1856 – 1941)
(Ole immigrated to Stanton County in 1873)
(Karen immigrated with parents, to Illinois in 1869, then Wisconsin, then arrived Platte County, Nebraska in 1873).
They had the following children:
7.1. John Martinas (1877- 1948) m. Julia Amelia Moldren
7.2. Lewis Nicholas (1880 - 1946) m. Cecelia Caroline
7.3. Albert Johan (1882 -1944) m. Anna Moldren
7.4. Marie Sofie (1884 _ 1972) m. Peter Olsen
7.5. Oscar Johannes (1887 - 1978) m. Fairy Johnson
7.6. Casper Alfred (1890 - 1965) m. Lucy Neumann
7.7. Lena Jonette (1892 - 1989) m. Dave Schmudeke
7.8. Sam Segval (1896 - 1983) m. Ida Jacobson
7.9. Julias Noble (1898 - ?) m. Louise Saare


Much of the following information was compiled and composed by Paul Johnson (son of Casper and grandson of Ole).

Ole Johannesen Haugen was born June 2, 1852 in Nordre Aurdal, Valders, Norway. After his father died in 1873, Ole departed Norway along with his mother Marit and a sister Ragnild (Loe). They sailed from the port of Bergen, the same route taken as his older brothers John and Sven and a sister Sarah (Halverson). No records are available at this time to document the name of the ship nor the travel route by Ole.

It is assumed that they made the same travel route that is documented for his two older brothers. Thus, Ole, Marit and Ragnild would have arrived in the new world at Quebec, Canada, then travel by train to Chicago and then on to Iowa. They would have crossed the Missouri river by ferry at Council Bluffs into Omaha, Nebraska and then on to Wisner by rail road. Then by foot to Stanton, County to the homestead of his brother Sven.

The following article referring to Ole was reported in the book written by H. Halderson (Attorney at Law, Newman Grove) called “Tri-County Pioneers”. The Iver I. Berg refered to as the subject of the article is the brother of Sigrid (Berg) Johnson, wife of Sven Johnson.

Iver I. Berg was born in Valders, Norway, July 6, 1851, baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church. He imigrated to America in May, 1873 and arrived at Wisner, Nebraska, on the first day of July, 1873, in company with his yonger brother, Henry, Ole Johnson Haugen, and several others. The first one they met at the depot was Enok A. Torgerson, and then came one, Thompson, a Wisner druggist, who had been requested to watch for their arrival and direct them to Stanton, Nebraska where relatives resided. Mr. Thompson had no way of taking them to Stanton but he located some nearby campers who were ready to move on towards Stanton, so he told the newcomers that they would get there by following the immigrant wagons. Which They did, walking all the way...

It required considerable planning to prepare for the trip to America. Enough supplies were necessary to provide food and clothes for the duration of the trip in addition to the items necessary for the "new life" in America. The emigrant chest was the container for all these supplies. The picture below showes one of chests Ole Johnson used. This chest is owned by Paul Johnson.



The inscription on the chest along with the Rosemale designs reads:

Ole Johnson (Mid-) Strand

Aaret 1872

Mid-Strand indicates the area where Ole lived in Norway. The town of Fagerness did not exist at that time. "Aaret" is the Norwegian word for "year". The chest was made in 1872, one year before Ole, with his mother Marit and sister Ragnild (Loe), emigrated to America. Below Aaret and 1872 are two rosemale designs (typically Norwegian type of decoration).

The chest such as pictured above was used primarily for such items as craftsman tools. These chests were made from wood which was held together with metal bands. The lid was locked with a heavy metal lock assembly (broken on Ole's chest). The chests were decorated with the old art of rosemaling which consists of colorful designs.

Another chest in the family is owned by Wilma (Stangland) Tschudin (grand daughter of Sven Johnson) and is shown in the picture below.



The emigrant chest became the hallmark of Norwegian pioneering. A chest with a rounded top was used primarily for food, clothing & other such belongings. The rounded top required that it be placed at the top of a stack of supplies in the hold of a ship or on a transport wagon and thus provied easy access to the chest when necessary.

An example of a chest with a rounded top is seen in the pictures below. This chest was used by Sven Johnson when he emigrated. The inscription says Sven Johannesen Haugen and the date is 1861. This chest is owned by Eugene Johnson.



Ole, in his search for land walked to many areas. He told of walking from Stanton to O'Neill and back (about 180 miles or 300 km), also walking to Grand Island and back (about 250 miles or 400 km). In 1877, he married Karen Johnson daughter of Andrea and Larina, affectionately called Bestimor by all. (Bestimor = Grandmother) Johnson and in 1888 established a homestead on land across the road from her parents three and one half miles southeast of Newman Grove.

Ole was born June 2, 1852 in Nordre Aurdal, Valders, Norway. Karen was born Janurary 9, 1856 in Senjen Lofoten, Norway. The picture below, taken in 1937, was taken in front of their retirement home at 204-9th St. in Newman Grove, NE. At the time of the picture, Ole was 85 years old and Karen was 81 years old.



Ole and Karen met and were married on May 13, 1877 in Stanton, NE. In 1878, they homesteaded on 160 acres three miles east and 1/2 mile south of Newman Grove where they raised their nine children and lived there until 1903. The homestead document contains the signature of the U.S. President Chester A. Arthur.

In 1894 they bought 160 acres one mile east of Newman Grove. In 1903 they moved to this farm and lived there until 1905. They then retired & moved into the town of Newman Grove at 204-9th and lived there until their death. Ole died Sept. 29, 1937 and Karen died Sept. 3, 1941.

This picture below is the frame house of Ole and Karen Johnson that replaced their original sod house on their homestead farm three miles east & one mile south of Newman Grove. The photo was taken circa 1894. Ole is the man in the dark suit & Karen is the women in the darker dress with the two children (Casper & Lena). After Ole/Karen moved to their farm one mile east of Newman Grove in 1903, this house was moved across the road to the farm shown on the Newman Grove area sketch (not the Andrew Johnson farm). According to an older man living on that farm in 1992, he stated that in that relocated house "the people lived upstairs & pigs & chickens lived downstairs". He also said that in years past during plowing on the Ole Johnson homestead land his plow has hit large chunks of concrete & other items such as pieces of iron, etc.



The picture below is the house on the "Ole Johnson" farm one mile east of Newman Grove, NE. The house is across the road from the other buildings. The lady in the picture is Kathleen Hallgren, the present owner of the 80 acre farm, with Paul Johnson, son of Casper & grandson of Ole.



The land was originally homesteaded by Mary Halverson (wife of Haldor Halverson) in May 15, 1876 and it had several owners after that. Henry Strand sold the 160 acres to Ole H. Johnson Dec. 8, 1894. There were many other mortgages. Ole sold it to his son John, March 13, 1906. John sold it back to Ole March 4 1909. Ole and Karen gave the farm to all their children deeded for $1.00 with love and affection June 2, 1937.

The Union Central Life Insurance Company was holding a mortgage of $3,500 when the children acquired it. The 1937 taxes had not been paid. The children lost the farm to this Insurance Company. The farm was sold in 1946 to John Chaulk. The present owner, Kathleen Hallgren (and her husband Glenn) bought the farm in 1951. The house is on 2 acres and across the road the barn, etc. are on 80 acres. There are 56 acres of corn land and the rest is pasture. At one time there was a nine hole golf course on part of the pasture land. Ole and Karen lived on the farm from 1903 to 1905. Some of their children also farmed on this farm such as John, Casper and Sam.

The picture below is of the Ole and Karen Lavina (Johnson) family. It was taken in approximately 1895. Starting in the back row left to right we have Albert, Ole, Lewis, Karen, Mary, and John. in the front row we have Casper, Lena and Oscar.


The picture below is of the Ole and Karen Lavina (Johnson) family. It was taken in approximately 25 years later in 1920. Starting in the back row left to right we have Noble, Sam, Lena, Casper, Oscar, Mary, and Albert. in the front row we have Lewis, Karen, Ole, and John.


The picture below taken in 1915 is of the Ole and Karen Lavina (Johnson) family and includes the John Dokken family.
In the first row left to right sitting on ground: 1.Melvin 2.Dolan 3.Harlan 4.Irene 5.Edward Dokken 6.Herman Halvorsen
Second row kneeling: 1.Selma 2.Janette 3.Dina 4.Clara 5.Nora 6.Edward 7.Myrtle 8.Eunice 9.Leonard
Third row sitting: 1.Rina Olsen 2.Pete Olsen 3.Sherman 4.Lewis 5.Oliver 6.Karen 7.Ole
Fourth row standing: 1.Lena 2.Donald 3.John 4.Dave 5.Dorothy 6.Julia 7.Cora 8. Sam 9.Noble 10.Albert 11.Anna 12.Arnold 13.Rina 14.Russell 15.Lucy 16.Helen 17.Casper 18.Mac Dokken 19.Magna 20.John Dokken 21.Christine 22.Fairy 23.Floyd 24.Pete 25.Oscar 26.Mary.




The following information about Ole Johnson Haugen was taken from a publication written by H. Halderson (Attorney at Law, Newman Grove) called “Tri-County Pioneers”.

“Some years ago the postmaster was charged with the duty of delivering the proper mail to eleven Ole Johnson’s. There were more Ole Johnson’s but some had a middle name. The confusion resulting from this situation led to the practice of adding an initial following the proper name. The subject of this article is sometimes designated by the name Ole Johnson Haugen.

The Indian attack on the Shell Creek settlement in 1870 which has heretofore been reported in the Reporter, became widely known, and retarded the colonization for about three years. After that raid in 1870 the government established soldier camps about every six to ten miles in this section. One of these camps was located on the south west 40 of the Whiteher homestead, now owned by H. Halderson (the author).

After it was reported that the soldiers were protecting the homesteaders in about 1873, the new settlers came in rapidly. Ole Johnson H., came here direct from Valdres, Norway, in 1873 and entered a homestead 3 miles east and one-half mile south of Newman Grove when he was twenty-one years old. His activities were confined to meeting the problems of the pioneer, breaking prairie, fighting prairie fires, building shelter for family and stock, hauling grain to, and provisions and material from Columbus and Norfolk. A trip to the mill at Norfolk in 1875 before Christmas nearly cost him his life. A blizzard was encountered and after struggling for hours through the blinding snow he and his companions came to the home of one, Melcher, a German settler. Ole’s feet were frozen, and for want of proper care, it was found necessary to amputate one or two toes. Dr. Bowman, or Bohman, near Stanton was sent for but he had no instruments or anesthetic. So he made a saw by filing notches in a table knife and ordered the men to hold the patient while he sawed the bone and completed the operation. Blood poison set in and he hovered between life and death for many weeks. In April the following spring he was able to walk on crutches.

It is also related that Mr. Johnson and Levi Gutru drove from Columbus in a lumber wagon one day in 1878 when the temperature was they lowest on record. But they bought a dry goods box, used that for shelter, and made the trip with safety.

Mr. Johnson was a man of great physical power and endurance in those early days. It has been stated that even at the age of about sixty he performed what is known as “hallingkast” a very difficult gymnastic feat.

Note: Hallingkast is performed as part of a traditional dance from Hallingdal. A lady in the national costume from Hallingdal holds a mans hat on a stick up in the air and a man dances around her and then in the end kicks the hat off the stick!

On August 30, 1874 the Trinity Lutheran church was organized and Andrew Johnson, Ole’s father-in-law, was one of the organizers. Later Ole Johnson became an active member and officer of this church. He has several times been elected delegate to the Synodical Conventions. For fourteen years he held the office of church secretary. He has been a deacon, member of important committees and Sunday school instructor. During the last ten years he has made an intensive study of the scriptures, and has become more convinced then ever that the church is the greatest agency in promoting good government and the welfare of the individual.

Mr. Johnson was born on the 2nd day of June 1852,in Norde Aurdal Province, Valders, Norway, and was confirmed in 1866. He entered the military service in his native country and received honorable discharge.

On the 13th of May, 1927 Mr. Johnson and his wife, Lavina Johnson, celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage. During this period of half a century, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson devoted all of their time to home building and working for the good of this community. Their home in Shell Creek valley, a mile east of town, was a popular center for young and old. They reared a family of nine children: John, Louis, Albert, Mary, Oscar, Lena, Casper, Sam, and Noble, all of whom were baptized and confirmed in the Trinity Lutheran church and educated in the Newman Grove schools. They retired from the farm a few years ago and are now residing at a location in Newman Grove in full view of the scene of their farm activities. Their unpretentious but very real loyalty to the flag and country of their adoption is a factor which has contributed to the support of the government and the development of the Middle West. “

The following article about Ole Johnson Haugen was received from Paul Johnson. It was written by a grandchild of Ole as the author refers to “Uncle Albert”:

“Ole Johnson Haugen with his mother left Valdres, Norway, arriving in Stanton, NE in the early 1870’s. A brother and sister had arrived at Stanton earlier. Ole, in his search for land, walked to many areas. He told of walking from Stanton to O’Neill and back; also of walking to Grand Island.

Later he met Karen Johnson, daughter of Larina Johnson, living about three miles northwest of Lindsay. Karen and her parents had come from Senjen in the Lafoten islands of Norway. Her parents homesteaded on a farm in the Platte County living in a sod house.

Ole and Karen were married and continued to live on this farm with her mother, Larina, as her father went to N. Dakota where he later died and was buried at Devils Lake, ND. Karen’s mother lived with them until her death in 1915.

Ole and Karen were blessed with nine children: John, Louis, Albert, Mary (Mrs. Pete Olson), Oscar, Casper, Lena (Mrs. David Schmadeke-Lakewood, CO), Sam, and Noble. They lived for several years near Lindsay.

This story has been told: Boys will be boys and Uncle Albert, our third oldest uncle a teenager, hitched a colt along with an older team to do some plowing. Granddad had warned him not to take the colt, but after Granddad left the place he proceeded. Stepping in front of the three horses, they became startled and started up. He grabbed a hame in each hand and hung on being dragged back-wards as the team plunged on – the sulky plow bouncing along behind.

When he fell down, the plow cut him very severely – then stuck into the ground and the team stopped. Grandma and Great Grandma having witnessed this fracas from the window, rushed out, unhitched the horses and carried Albert to the house where they tried to stop the bleeding. Noting his serious condition, Grandma hitched a horse to a two-wheeled cart and grabbing her whip raced into Newman Grove to get the doctor. He came quickly bringing a stone mason to aid him with the ether. Uncle Albert was placed on the kitchen table and the long sewing process began. He cried out for several days with pain – there was no easement for that. He recuperated and lived to be in his sixties.

Then the family bought a farm one mile east of Newman Grove. Ole Johnson Haugen became one of the charter members of the church now known as the Trinity Lutheran Church in Newman Grove.

Later Ole and Karen retired and moved to Newman Grove where they lived until their deaths. Ole, Karen and Karen’s mother, Larina, are buried in the Trinity Cemetery at Newman Grove. Lena (Mrs. Dave Schmadeke) is the only living member of the family.

The following article appeared in the Newman Grove Newspaper (March 27, 1963). It was prepared by Mrs. H.P. Olson (Mary Johnson) of 2465 Sheridan Blvd. Denver, Colorado:

“LOOKING BACK OVER 75 YEARS”:
Ole Johnson Haugen was born in Norde Aurdal, Valdres, Norway. He lived in his native land until he reached the age of 21 when he decided to come to the United States in 1873. He came directly to Stanton County, Nebraska which at that time was a vast prairie with roaming Indians.

While at Stanton, he met and latter married Karen Lavina Johnson on May 13, 1877.

In 1878 they moved to Platte County where they entered on a homestead three miles east and one-half mile south of Newman Grove . They lived there until 1903. They then moved to a farm one mile east of Newman Grove and this was their home until 1905 when they retired and moved to Newman Grove.

After they settled on their homestead east of Newman Grove, they lived in a sod house that had been built by Grandfather Andrew Johnson. Ole Johnson’s activities at that time were confined to meeting the problems of the pioneer, breaking prairie, fighting prairie fires, building shelter for family and stock, hauling grain, provisions, and material from Columbus and Norfolk…

He passed away on September 29th, 1937, at the age of 85years, 3 months, and 27 days.

MRS. KAREN LAVINA JOHNSON:
Mrs. Karen Lavina Johnson was born in Senjen Lofoten, Norway. She came to America with her parents in 1869 at the age of 13 years. She was confirmed by Rev. Jacob Aal Ottesen in Koshkoning settlement in Wisconsin.

After a brief residence there of 2 years they moved to Nebraska and settled on a homestead 3 miles east and 1 mile south on Newman Grove. Mrs Johnson then attended school long enough to be able to speak and understand the American language.

She later worked for various people doing house work etc. until she net and married Ole Johnson in 1877…
She passed away September 3rd, 1941…

The following obituary for Mrs. Lorina Johnson (mother to Karen Lavina Johnson) was reported September 5, 1917 in the Newman Grove Reporter.

Mrs. Lorina Johnson was born August 31st, 1822, at Monselvdalen, Tromso, Norway. Her parent’s were Ole Matiason and Dorthea Larson.

In 1854 she was married to Andrew M. Johnson. To them were born three children, of whom two died in their infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson emigrated to this country in the spring of 1869. They lived in Dane County, Wisconsin, three years and in Illinois two years (Note: this was reported in other information to be “lived in Illinois then Wisconsin”).

In 1874 they moved to Nebraska and settled on a homestead in Platte County, three miles southwest of Newman Grove.

About thirty seven years ago Mr Johnson went to South Dakota. There he died in 1895. Mrs Johnson, however, remained here and has lived with her son-in-law and daughter, Mr and mrs Ole Johnson H…”

Oscar J. Johnson, son of Ole and Karen Johnson, was born on a farm in Platte County near Lindsay, NE on 9-23-1887.

On 2-18-1909 he married Fairy B. Johnson (daughter of John H. and Rachel Johnson). To this union were born eight children; Harlan, (NM); Irene, (Mrs. Herbert Thur, CA); Floyd, (CA); Leslie, (CA); Virgil (NE); Noah, (CA); Norma (Mrs. Richard Burton,) CA; Leona (Mrs. Wm.Swartz), IL. Leslie, Virgil and Noah served in WWII.

Oscar and Fairy farmed in Madison Co. three years and then in Boone County northwest of Newman Grove for twenty one years. They moved to a farm near Albion.

In 1939, they moved to an acreage at Turlock, CA. Fairy passed away in 1945. Oscar later was married to Millie Ronk. He died in 1978. Mrs. Millie Johnson lives at Santa Cruz, CA.

Oscar and Fairy are buried at Turlock, CA.

Harian K. Jonnson, eldest son of Oscar & Fairy Johnson, was born 10-5-1909, attended District 8 in Boone Co. and graduated with Valedictorian Honors from Newman Grove High 1927. He taught at District 33 and 77 in Boone County. Then he farmed with his father several years near Newman Grove and Albion. He married Frances, eldest daughter of Frank and Alma Bittner on 5-9-1938, at Zion Lutheran Church, Albion, NE. Frances, a 1933 Albion High graduate, taught at District 23 Boone Co. Later, she worked at the Farm Security Office at the Boone County Courthouse.

After marriage, the couple farmed east of Albion where a son, Gary (Albuquerque, NM) was born. They left the farm and moved to Clarinda, IA and shortly to Red Oak, Iowa, where they managed a Sinclair Service Station. A daughter, Marilyn, (Mrs. Wm. Wireman, CA) was born here.

In 1942 the Johnsons, with their house trailer, moved to Alliance, NE where Harlan joined the engineering crew of the J.A. Tertling Const. Co. They built air bases at Alliance, Scottsbluff, NE and Mountain Home, ID and repaired the base at Boise, ID. After these war contracts were completed, the Johnsons moved to Manteca, CA where Harlan worked at the Kaiser Permanete Magnesium plant until it closed. He then worked in Stockton, CA repairing and preparing army trucks for overseas shipment. At the close of the war, Harian was employed as a mechanic at the Spur Motor Co. in Manteca, CA.

The Johnsons moved to Grand Island, NE where the trailer was sold and they purchased a home where they resided thirty eight years. Harlan worked at the Diers Motor Company for eight years. A daughter, Nancy (Mrs.James Grimes, CA), was born. Harian became a livestock feed salesman for the Moorman Feed Co.

Frances hosted a homemaker program "A DATE WITH FRAN" on radio KRGI for three years. At the opening of the television station KHAS-TV near Hasting, NE in 1956, "TODAY WITH FRAN" a homemaker show was originated and served the area for eight years. In the meantime, she completed her BA degree at Hastings College and in the fall of 1964 began teaching 7th grade at Walnut Jr. Hign in Grand Island.

In 1981, Harlan and Frances became the resident managers of Chrysalis, a Lutheran Retirement Home in Grand Island. Having served three and a half years, the couple retired and moved to Albuqueraue. NM where they presently reside.

They have four Johnson grandchildren: Paige Lynne, graduate study Boulder, CO; Matthew, U.S. Navy midshipman Jr. at University of New Mexico; Trevor working in Denver, CO; and Jeffrey a senior at Laxewood High CO.