The following is taken from the book “Prairie Trails to Hi-Ways” published in 1978 by the Bismarck-Mandan Genealogical and Historical Society.  The information was submitted by Mr. & Mrs. Edwin A. Johnson.  Edwin is the son of Charles and Ida Johnson.

Charles A.Johnson was born in Sweden on June 2, 1879.  He and an older brother. Andrew Jr., came to the USA with their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Johnson, Sr., in 1883.  They first settled west of Mandan and later, they moved northeast of Bismarck, which is now Naughton township, which was their home NW of S.14 T.140 R.79

When Charles and his brother, Andrew, were old enough, they took over the Peter Paulson homestead and they worked together for a few years.  Soon brother, Andrew, felt the call to be a minister, so he left the farm, went to school, and became a Baptist minister.

Charles stayed on the farm and, as a young man he met a young lady who was born and raised in Bismarck.  Her name was Ida Wick, a daughter of Martin and Marie Wick of Bismarck.  Ida was born Mar. 8, 1884.  On Jan. 1. 1903, Charles and Ida were married at the Presbyterian Church in Bismarck. They then moved to Charles' farm.  He was very good with carpentry work, so he built onto the little house and it served many years as their home.

On Jan. 16, 1904, their first son, Lester C., was born.  On Nov. 14, 1905, another son, Edwin A., was born.  On July 18, 1909, they had a girl and named her Isabelle J.  The house was again too small, so in 1914, Charles started a bigger project.  He made a full basement and a big 4 bedroom house, which was really nice.  On Dec. 24, 1919, they got a surprise Christmas present; another girl named Ruth E.  This was really a Christmas present the whole family could have a share in.

They farmed for many years until the hard years of the 1930s came along.  Those hard, dry years were hard on a lot of farmers, so Charles went out and did quite a bit of carpentry work.  He left the farm in 1938.  In 1940, they moved to Esterville township.  In 1943, Charlie got the fever to go out to the West Coast to work in the shipyards.  He worked there for 2 years, then came back and bought a small house in Wilton. ND, which was their home for a few years.  He did carpentry work and whatever he could find to do until he had a stroke.  He passed away on Apr. 4, 1954,  Mother, Ida, and brother. Lester lived in Wilton until Dec. 1958, when they moved to Bismarck.  In the spring of 1959, they rented a small house on 11th Street. They lived here until mother, Ida, was unable to care for herself and the home.  Then she moved to the Baptist Home.  She passed away June 14, 1965. 

Edwin A. was married Dec. 5, 1927, to Ellen Johnson, a young lady from Grass Lake township, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Jonas Johnson.  They farmed for 23 years in Esterville and Grass Lake townships.  They have one daughter, Arlene.  In 1950, they moved to Bismarck and Arlene was married Nov. 1955 to Herbert R. Miller. They have 6 children.

Isabelle went to Chicago and took up training at the Salvation Army Training Center.  After that, she took up nursing and worked in a children's home for a while. She then met a Salvation Army Officer, Arthur Anderson. They were married Nov. 27, 1937, and had 6 children, Ralph, Janet, Jeanean, Joyce, Raymond, and Railton.  The children are all living, married, and have families.  Isabelle passed away Apr. 26, 1971.

Ruth also went to Chicago and took training in the Salvation Army Center.  She was an officer for a few years until she was stationed in Seattle, WA.  There she met a young man, Arthur Hagglund. They were married July 3, 1947. They have 4 children, Judith, Richard, Jack, and Rita.

Lester C. was never married. He is still his own boss, cook, and dishwasher. He lives in Bismarck and has his own apartment.

God bless the memories of our dear parents and the happy home we all had.

Granquist Family (Home)  -  Kinstories (home)  -  Johnson Family  -  Susag Family  -  Flatau Family
  Beckman Family  -  Anderson Family  -  Stout Family  -  Walker Family  - Peterson Family  -  Morris Family  - Cauble Family