JOHN GISLASON. The name of Gislason was, for many years, a most familiar one in Iceland where Gisli Einerson, father of our subject, was a prominent Lutheran minister. He graduated in the theological course of the Copenhagen University, and was ordained to preach. A man of much mental ability and a deep thinker, he wielded a powerful influence for good, and was greatly beloved by his parishioners. His wife, Sigridur Gudnundsdaughter, was also a native of Iceland and, as her name states, was a daughter of Gudnundur, that being the manner of denoting the family to which a child belongs. She was the mother of five children, of whom our subject was the youngest.

John Gislason was born December 12, 1849, at Kalfholti, Iceland, and was but eighteen months old when his father died. He was educated in Iceland, and at the age of fourteen years commenced clerking in a general store, where he remained employed at intervals until 1870, then emigrated to the United States. In Milwaukee, Wis., he remained four months, then made his way to Washington Island, Door county, and found work in the woods, but in the spring of 1871 he located permanently at Detroit Harbor where he now resides. He bought a farm of sixty-one acres, although he made fishing his business until 1876, when he sold his possessions and went to Madison, (Wis.) where he attended school. He was then twenty-seven years old, and though possessed of a good education in his native tongue he inherited too much of his father's scholastic tendencies to be content with that after locating in another country. Accordingly he remained in the school at Madison until he had mastered the English language, and secured a fair knowledge of other topics. The spring of 1877 found him in Washington Island, Wis., where he followed various pursuits until 1884, when he opened a general store at Detroit Harbor, which business he has continued ever since, having built up a large and constantly increasing trade, and become prosperous in every way. When any public enterprise needs the assistance of the business men of the place, Mr. Gislason is one of the first to be approached, and unless the plan appears impracticable he accords it his hearty cooperation. Since his return to the Island he has bought 240 acres of land which he is having cleared and prepared for cultivation; it will then be most valuable and for this foresightedness he will no doubt reap a rich profit on his investment.

Mr. Gislason is a stanch Republican, taking an active part in political affairs, and although having no desire for office his friends have made him supervisor and justice of the peace. He is now clerk of the board of education in his district, and is ever ready to promote the interests of the schools. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, which was so dear to his father's heart, and contributes liberally toward its support; while his generosity in every charitable enterprise brought to his notice is most commendable. On November 8, 1877, he was married at Milwaukee, Wis., to Miss Augusta Barnason, also a native of Iceland, and the following named eight children were born to them: Sarah E. , Gisli I., August, Lawrence, Ella, Charles, Esther and Stella T. Mr. Gislason is personally superintending their education, and hopes to make them useful men and women.

Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Brown, Kewaunee and Door, Wisconsin, and containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families ..by J.H. Beers & Co, Publication date: 1895

November 17, 1881 West Harbor Door County Advocate

J.C. Corrigan, of Milwaukee, arrived here last Sunday and will remain until Tuesday, when, he intends going back to the Cream City. He is looking after his business here and straightening things up generally.

John Gislason has been appointed clerk in Mr. Corrigan’s store. John is quiet and good-natured.