Theodor Johannessen JOHNSON

1847 - 1925  (77 years)

• Name	Theodor Johannessen JOHNSON
  Birth	17 Nov 1847	Verdal, Nord-Trøndelag, Norway
  Christening	9 Apr 1848	Stiklestad, Verdal, Nord-Trøndelag, Norway
  Gender	Male
  Baptism	9 Apr 1848	Stiklestad, Verdal, Nord-Trøndelag, Norway
  Confirmation	4 Oct 1863	Verdal, Nord-Trøndelag, Norway
  MN Death Cert Checked	Y
  Minnesota Death Certificate	1925-MN-010522
  Death	11 Jan 1925	Fergus Falls, Otter Tail County, Minnesota
  	he died at home of pneumonia, the Dalby Database has his date of death as April 12th
  Burial	14 Jan 1925	Oak Grove Cemetery, Fergus Falls, Otter Tail County, Minnesota
  	this cemetery is or was also known as Mount Faith
  Notes	His parents’ farm was Maritvold Ørm (or Øren?) according to his birth record. In the 1865 Norwegian census he was Teodor Johannessen, a 19 year-old male servant on the farm of the Olsens and Olsdatters (6 unmarried brothers and sisters) on Leirfald vestre in Vinne, Værdalens. Emigrated to the U.S. in 1870; came to Fergus Falls in 1875 (the first of his siblings to do so). “He went into the butcher business and made a name for himself in town, at least with the Norwegian population. He was also a prominent figure in the free church congregation there.” Notes in the remarks column of his birth entry: “Att. Amerika 17.04.1870.”This is correct. The church book records Theodor Johannessen Leirfald emigrating from Verdal to Amerika on April 17, 1870. In the 1875 state census, Theodore, Martha, and Gilmer are living in Fergus Falls. In the 1880 census (June 21st), Theodore Johnson was a butcher living in Fergus Falls. His family consisted of himself, 32, Martha, 34, Gitmer, 5, Conrad, 2, and Thorval, 3 months. Theodore and Martha were born in Norway, Gitmer in Wisconsin, and the other two boys in Minnesota. The family also had four boarders living with them, one of whom was Martinus E Bye, 32. In the 1885 state census, Theodor, Martha, Gilmar, and Konrad are living in Fergus Falls. Living with them is 68 year-old Jens Evenson. Their next-door neighbor is Martin Orfal and his wife Marie. And living with the Orfals is 68 year-old Martha Aune. In the 1895 state census, Theo, Martha, Gilmer, Conrad, and Sophie, along with Jens Evenson, are living in Fergus Falls. Theo and Gilmer, both shown as butchers, are shown as having lived in the U.S., and in Fergus Falls, for 19 years. In the 1900 census, he and his family are living on Bismark Avenue in Fergus Falls, just a few houses away from the newly-married Hans and Marie Bye. It’s just Gilmar and Conrad left of the kids. Also living with the family is Martha’s father Jens Evenson, a “nephew” Fonzio (sp?) Whist, 24, born in Norway, and an adopted daughter, Sophia. In the 1902 Fergus Falls city directory, he owns a meat market at 222 Bismarck Avenue E and resides there as well with his wife Martha C and Miss Sophie Johnson. His sons Gilmer and Conrad also live at 222 Bismarck. In the 1905 state census, the household, at 222 Bismark Avenue in Fergus Falls, consists of Theodore, Mrs. Martha, Gilmer, Conrad, Mrs. Lizzie (Conrad’s new wife), Ellen S. Johnson, 21, and Gyda Johnson, age 7. He was the informant for the information on his wife’s death certificate. At that time he was living on Bismark Avenue in Fergus Falls. As Theo Johnson, he was one of the charter members of Trønderlag of America in 1908. This was (and still is) the bygdelag for emigrants and their descendants from the Trøndelag region of Norway. Theo claimed to come from the Lerfald farm. “Theodore Johnson (Leirfald)”, of Fergus Falls and from Vårdalen, was listed in the Trønderlaget’s 1910 yearbook. In that yearbook, Theodore is shown as having emigrated to the U.S. in 1870. In the 1910 census, he is a widower living not far from his two married sons who are managing the butcher shop. Theodore is the “proprietor.” Sophia is still single and living with him and they also have 16 year-old Edward Johnson living with them. Edward is a wagon driver for the butcher shop. In the 1920 census, he is a widower living on Washington Avenue, Fergus Falls, not far from his son Conrad. His occupation is owner, butcher shop. He died of pneumonia. The informant for his death certificate was his son Conrad who had no idea who his father’s parents were. Theodore’s residence at death was 222 Washington Avenue. He was a widower. There were no residences remaining on Washington Avenue in 2008. According to Chris, Theo’s butcher shop was torn down in 2007 and the location is now a parking lot. Theo and his family belonged to the Norwegian Free Church in Fergus Falls, now known as Zion Lutheran Church. Theo was known as “Butcher Johnson.” His granddaughter’s father-in-law, Elias Pederson, officiated at Theo’s funeral.
  Person ID	I1285	Don Carlson's Tree
  Last Modified	16 Feb 2016

  
  

  Father	Johannes Hansen ØREN,   b. 14 Dec 1806, Verdal, Nord-Trøndelag, Norway d. 26 Jan 1870, Verdal, Nord-Trøndelag, Norway (Age 63 years)
  Mother	Gürü Halvorsdatter NESS,   b. 21 Jun 1808, Verdal, Nord-Trøndelag, Norway d. Aft 1875 (Age > 68 years)
  Marriage	30 Nov 1832	Verdal, Nord-Trøndelag, Norway
  Family ID	F925	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Martha Catrine Jensdatter,   b. 30 Jan 1844, Stiklestad, Verdal, Nord-Trøndelag, Norway d. 22 Oct 1908, Fergus Falls, Otter Tail County, Minnesota (Age 64 years)
  Marriage	4 Jul 1872	Eau Claire, Eau Claire County, Wisconsin
  Children	1. Gilmer JOHNSON,   b. 30 Oct 1874, Wisconsin d. 15 Oct 1918, Fergus Falls, Otter Tail County, Minnesota (Age 43 years)   2. Conrad JOHNSON,   b. 24 Aug 1877, Fergus Falls, Otter Tail County, Minnesota d. 12 May 1946, Fergus Falls, Otter Tail County, Minnesota (Age 68 years)   3. Thorval JOHNSON,   b. Abt Mar 1880, Minnesota d. Bef 1885, Minnesota (Age < 4 years)   4. Ellen Sophia JOHNSON,   b. Feb 1884, Minnesota
  Family ID	F932	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	12 Aug 2008