Johannes dal Gjertson (John G.) Johnson was born near Calamus, Clinton County, Iowa in Olive Township 26 Jan 1855.

He was the son of Gjert Johanneson Dosland Johnson and his wife Bretta Christensen Skeie. Gjert was born at Uskedal in Kvinnherad, Hordaland, Norway. Bretta was born on the Skeie Farm in Norway.

John was the oldest of their eleven children. His siblings were: Berthanna Johnson 6 Apr 1856-9 Nov 1924 (Pastor Johannes J. Heie 11 Nov 1857-15 Mar 1936), Christen Olai Johnson Dosland 24 Jul 1858-4 Nov 1949 (Anne Louise Halvorsen 9 May 1860-30 Jan 1947), Lisbet Karine "Libbie" Johnson 30 Dec 1859-1 Feb 1932 (Hans P. N. Petersen 12 Dec 1859-6 May 1937), Christianna Gjertsdtr. Johnson 27 Jan 1862-8 May 1913 (Erick Barney Charlson 12 Apr 1864-8 Dec 1941), Bertha Margrethe Johnson 24 Aug 1863-1865, Bertha Margaret Johnson 10 Dec 1865-9 May 1952 (Samson Nels Petersen 21 Jan 1864-28 Nov 1939), Gjert G. "George" Jr. Johnson 2 Dec 1867-8 Aug 1936, Johana Maria "Marie" Johnson 7 Jul 1869-4 Jun 1902 (Albert Julius Kroshus 22 Dec 1864-3 Feb 1896), Leah D. Johnson 6 Jun 1871-15 Aug 1871 and Christian G. Johnson Dosland 14 Oct 1872-7 Feb 1945 (Anna Dorothy Lobben 29 Oct 1876-20 Jun 1962).

John G. grew to manhood in Olive Township, Clinton County, Iowa and married Soneva Larsina Larson Rosland 18 Mar 1876 in Clinton, County, Iowa.

John G. and Soneva were the parents of the following children: Bertha Margarethe 29 Oct 1877 – 31 Oct 1926 (Iver Johan Klabo Jacobson 11 Aug 1864-12 Jul 1940), Margrethe Lovise "Maggie" 9 Mar 1880-5 May 1898, Elizabeth Georgiana "Gena" 30 Mar 1883-7 Feb 1973 (Johan "Alfred" Kjelstrom 26 Oct 1872-9 Jan 1945), Soneva "Johannah" 30 Oct 1885-9 Jul 1907, Alfred ca Oct 1895-27 Feb 1896 and adopted son, Alfred Olai 9 Aug 1897-10 Feb 1971 (Carmelete Marie Sampson 5 Jan 1900-25 Feb 1996).

John and Soneva and their two oldest daughters came to Norman County in 1882 with his parents and all but one of his brothers and sisters.

They came by train and brought their needed household goods, machinery for farming, animals and feed for the animals. They settled in Lee Township and they began to farm and construct their farm buildings. The first winter the women and children spent the winter in Ada, MN at the local hotel.

John G., his father, Gjert Johnson and Nels Odegaard built a roller mill in 1884. It was known as the Johnson Mill or the Wild Rice Roller Mill. Its products were Blue Ribbon and Best Patent Flour and graham flour. They continued operation until 1892 when Nels Odegaard sold out to the Johnsons. In 1899 Gjert sold his share to his son, John G. Johnson. Around 1900 John G. gave the mill to two grandsons, John Jacobson and Julian Kjelstrom. They, in turn, sold it to Oscar Houglum who ran it until it burned in 1941. Electricity for the Johnson home was generated by a dynamo at the mill. The mill dam was a popular swimming place during the summer time. The dam was blown out in the 1940s.

Soneva suffered a stroke and passed away 9 Oct 1916 at the age of 66 years. John G. continued to live in his own home after his wife's passing. His daughter, Gena Kjelstrom and her family lived with him. The Kjelstroms became the owners of the John G. Johnson farm. This farm was owned by Ernest Chelstrom, John G.'s grandson.

John G. Johnson passed away 20 May 1933 at the Memorial Hospital in Ada, MN. He had suffered from heart trouble. Funeral services for him were held at the Bethania Lutheran Church, where the family maintained their membership, on May 25, 1933, Pastor Thomas Anderson officiated at the services from the home and church. He was 78 years old at the time of his death.