Leonard Johnson was born in Skandia Township March 10, 1899. He was the oldest son of Carl and Minnie Johnson, early settlers.

He was educated at a rural school and was a graduate of the Hanson Trade School of Fargo. He also attended the Dakota Business College.

A member of the Ringsaker Lutheran Church, he was the first child baptized there when it was completed in 1899. He rented a farm from his Uncle Ole W. Johnson for two years before his marriage to Emelia Gustafson, who was born August 27, 1899 in Umeo, Sweden. She was educated in a rural school and was a graduate of Northwestern College, Fergus Falls, Minnesota. She also attended Moorhead College. She came to Barnes County in 1920 to teach school and met Leonard Johnson. They were married January 3, 1923. Two sons were born, LeRoy in 1928 and Eldon in 1930.

A new house was completed in 1939 and LeRoy planned and carried out the landscaping of the yard as a 4-H project. This won him a trip to the 4-H Congress in Chicago.

Leonard served on the township board as well as the church board. The family was active in 4-H club work, Homemakers and Boy Scouts. LeRoy has his Doctorate in Animal Science and is Assistant Professor of Animal Science at the University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming.

Eldon is a graduate of the Hanson Mechanical Trade School and now is operating the home farm. The third generation on this land.

Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 115