There is probably no better known or more highly esteemed citizen residing in Norway Township than Henry F. Johnson, whose farm is on section 12. He was born in an old log house in that Township March 5, 1860, and is a son of Ole and Julia (Beckjord) Johnson, both natives of Norway. In that country his paternal grandfather, John Johnson, spent his entire life. Ole Johnson was born February 2, 1808, and was thirty years of age on coming to the United States in 1838. He first located in Chicago, where he worked for some time, and there he was married to Miss Julia Beckjord. On leaving that city he removed to Racine, where he worked on the harbor for some time but in 1842 took up eighty acres of government land in Norway Township. As the time passed and he prospered in his farming operations he added to his property and the success which attended his efforts was due to his own industry and economy, for he had nothing on coming to this locality but was able to leave his family in good financial circumstances. He was an active member of the Lutheran church and was a stanch supporter of the Republican Party. His well spent life was ended July 17, 1902, and his wife passed away on the 15th of April, 1881. They had a family of eleven children but only six are now living, namely: John, who is living retired in Park Falls, Wisconsin; Peter, a farmer of Nebraska; Charles, a resident of Norway Township; Caroline, who is living with her brother Charles; Henry F.; and Sarah, who is also living with Charles.
Henry F. Johnson is indebted to the common schools of Racine County for the educational privileges he enjoyed during his boyhood and youth and when not in school he devoted his time to the operation of the home farm. He is now the owner of two hundred acres of land in Norway and Raymond townships, upon which he has made all the improvements, including a good and substantial residence, and in connection with general farming he does some dairying. He keeps a good grade of Holstein cattle and is meeting with well merited success in his operations.
On the 5th of October, 1887, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Nelson, whose birth occurred in Raymond Township, and they have become the parents of four children: Orville, Benjamin, Harold and Clarence, all at home. In religious faith the family is Lutherans and the Republican Party finds in Mr. Johnson a stanch supporter of its principles. His fellow citizens, recognizing his worth and ability, have called upon him to serve in several important public positions, including that of supervisor, and he has been chairman of the town board for seven years. For thirty-one years he was also on the school board and he is now a trustee of the asylum. His public duties have ever been performed in a most commendable manner and he well merits the confidence and trust reposed in him. Fraternally he belongs to the United Order of Foresters at Raymond and to the Knights of Pythias at Racine.