Page:History of Goodhue County, Minnesota.djvu/1147

 HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY 995 in the Civil War, and enlisted in Company II, Minnesota Volun- teer Infantry, in 1862, remaining until fhe close of the war, and took part in all the battles of that campaign. He died when V. E. was only five months old. V. E. Parker received his edu- cation in the common schools of the township, and after leaving school he worked for the Crescent Cream and Cheese Company, remaining with them for ten years. In 1903 he engaged in the general mercantile business in Pine Island, which he has since conducted very successfully, and is a highly respected and promi- nent citizen of Pine Island. He was married in 1900 to Blanche N. Irish, daughter of Loomis F. Irish, president of the State Bank of Pine Island. In politics Mr. Parker is independent. Edwin 0. Johnson, of Red "Wing, seventh child of Carl G. and Sophia (Samuelson) Johnson, natives of Jonkopingslan, Swe- den, was born in Red Wing, November 3, 1869. His father, who was a carpenter, came to America in 1866 and for two years farmed at Burnside township. In 1868 he took up his residence at Red Wing and until 1880 continued to follow his trade. Dur- ing the latter year he entered the employ of the Red Wing Fur- niture Company, as cabinet maker, continuing at this work until 1905, when he retired. He died in this city in September, 1908. His wife is still living, at the age of seventy-seven years. The schools of Red Wing afforded Edwin O. his early educational training, and in 1884 he entered the employ of the Red Wing Furniture Company as band sawyer. For over a quarter of a century he has continued at practically the same occupation, making a record of industry and faithfulness of which any man might well be proud. Mr. Johnson votes the Republican ticket, but has never interested himself in public office. He affiliates with the Scandinavian Benefit Association and belongs to the Swedish Lutheran church. He is still single. Of the eight others in Mr. Johnson's family, Charlotte, the oldest, married Charles Heglund, of Red AVing; Augusta is deceased; Charles E. lives in this city, as do Gustav A. and Oscar F. ; Nellie J. married Charles McKenna, deceased, and lives in Chicago ; Fred E. is employed in a laundry at Spokane, Wash. The family residence is at 111 East Eighth street, Red Wing. Peter O. Holman, of Wanamingo township, was born in Nor- way April 1, 1831, son of Ole and Sonneva, natives of Norway, who came to America in 1865, living with their son until their death. Peter received his education in Norway and came to America in 1852, locating in Dane county, Wisconsin, where he remained until 1862, when he came to Wanamingo township and bought 160 acres of land* which he improved, and erected a house and barn, and has carried on a general line of farming. Mr. Holman was married in 1862 to Karin Everson, whose parents