Christianna was born 27 Jan 1862 at Calamus, Clinton County, Iowa to Gjert J. Dossland Johnson and his wife Bretta Christensdatter Skeie Johnson. Gjert aka George, was born at Uskedal, Kvinnhered, Hordaland, Norway and Bretta was born on the farm Skeie in Norway. Together they moved to eastern Iowa and began their life together.

Christianna was the fifth child born of eleven. Her siblings, who used the Johnson surname, were as follows: John Dal Gjertson 26 Jan 1855-20 May 1933 (Synneva Larsina Larsdtr. Rosland 3 Aug 1850- 9 Oct 1916), Berthanna 6 Apr 1856-9 Nov 1924 (Rev. Johannes J. Heie 11 Nov 1851-15 Mar 1936), Christen Olai Johnson Dosland 24 Jul 1858-4 Nov 1949 (Anna Louise Halvorson 9 May 1860-30 Jan 1947), Lisbet Karine "Libbie" 30 Dec 1859-1 Feb 1932 (Hans P.N. Petersen 12 Dec 1859-6 May 1937), Bertha Margrethe 24 Aug 1863-died as a child, Bertha Margaret "Belle" 10 Dec 1865-9 May 1952 (Samson Nels Petersen 21 Jan 1864-28 Nov 1939), Gjert "George" 2 Dec 1867-8 Aug 1936, Johanna Maria "Marie" 8 Sep 1869-4 Jun 1902 (Albert Julius Kroshus 22 Dec 1864-3 Feb 1896), Leah 6 Jun 1871-15 Aug 1871 and Christian G. Dosland 14 Oct 1872-7 Feb 1945 (Anna Dorothy Lobben 29 Oct 1876-20 Jun 1962).

Christianna married Erick Barney Charlson 23 Nov 1884 in Norman County. They farmed until they moved to Moorhead, MN about 1910. By 1911 they were living in Fargo, ND and continued to live there the rest of their lives. During their time there, Erick worked in real estate and was a land agent.

Erick and Christianna were the parents of six children. They were: Clara Bertha Karoline 12 Sep 1887-14 Sep 1957 (Martin Nicolay Berhard Minne 2 Dec 1889 – unknown), Gjert Johan Leonard "George" 5 Dec 1889-7 Jun 1957 (Aline Mae Olesen 2 Jun 1899-8 Nov 1954), Ingeborg Gurine Margrethe 29 Jan 1892-11 Apr 1992 (Gustave Alfred Peter Mohr 21 Feb 1892-8 Jan 1957), Gerhard Bernt 11 Jun 1894-27 Aug 1902, Henry Joseph 18 Nov 1896-7 Oct 1933 and Peder "Christian" 4 Apr 1899-29 Nov 1974.

Christianna passed away in Fargo, ND, 8 May 1913 at the age of 51 years of age. Funeral services for her were held at the Bethania Lutheran Church, rural Perley on May 10, 1913. Erick passed away at Fargo, ND December 8, 1941. Funeral services for him were held at the Bethania Lutheran Church, rural Perley, on Dec. 8, 1941. He was 77 years old at the time of his passing from cancer.