Joseph Edward Johnson, son of Hans Christian Johansen (Johnson), was born September 12, 1883 in Emmet Township, Emmet County, IA. He was the eldest of eleven children. He married Lena Sophia Swenson on February 26, 1907 in Lamberton, Minnesota and inherited her father's farm. From their union the couple had the following children: Sharon, Earl, Daniel, Lillian, Raymond, Inez, Robert and Helen. As he grew older, Joseph was known throughout the family as "Preacher Joe" for his staunch religious beliefs. He passed away on April 20, 1970 in Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minnesota.

Obituary: -- "Joseph E. Johnson, a resident at Lamberton since 1937, died Monday morning, April 20, at St. Joseph's hospital in Mankato where he had been a patient since April 10th. Funeral services were held Wednesday, April 22, at Kluegal's Funeral Chapel in Lamberton with Pastor Cecil Pryor officiating. Interment was in the Lamberton cemetery. Pallbearers were Eugene, Donavon, Dennis, William, and Linden Johnson and Paul Lueck. Joseph Johnson was born Sept. 12, 1883 at Superior, Iowa to Mr. and Mrs. Hans C. Johnson. In 1903 he married Lena Swenson. The family farmed in Cottonwood County until 1937 when they moved to Lamberton. Lena died in 1940. In 1944 Mr. Johnson married Alberta Hawkins at Lamberton. Surviving are his wife, Alberta, Lamberton, and the following children: Sharon H. Johnson, Eugene, Oregon; Earl Johnson, Harrisburg, Oregon;Lillian Johnson, Redwood Falls; Mrs. Elmer Thram (Inez) Sun Valley, Calif.; Daniel C. Johnson, Anaheim, Calif.; Robert M. Johnson, Lamberton; Mrs. Donald Lueck (Helen) Redwood Falls. Mr. Johnson is also survived by 24 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and following brothers and sisters: Mrs. Christian Petersen (Sophie) Lamberton; Charles Johnson, Anaheim, Calif.; Mrs. Phil Lohrbach (Annie) Santa Ana, Calif. He was preceeded in death by one son, Raymond, three sisters and four brothers."--