Johan Skatrud Christianson was born in Vestre Gausdal, Norway, September 22, 1885. His parents' names were Kristian and Sofie Skatrud. As was the custom with many at that time, Johan changed his name Skatrud to Christianson when he came to this country. Johan had 10 sisters and brothers:
Karen, Amun, Martinus, Peter, Severine, Asmun, Sigre, Kristine, Johanne, and Mary, she died in infancy. His family were poor and Tillie remembers him telling about his Mother working for the wealthier class of people. She always walked to work and had knitting along in summer time knitting both going and coming from work - never a minute wasted.
Johan immigrated to America in 1905 coming to Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin where he worked in the woods cutting timber and living with Relatives. Later he came to Hannaford where Sam Hagen, foreman for Beatta Eimon came and hired him to work on the Eimon ranch south of Sutton. He was married to Grace Frydenberg, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Frydenberg in 1910 and started farming in the Sutton area. This farm was located 41h miles south of Sutton. To this union six children were born. Clarence married Tres Leininger, they have a son John, his wife Lou Ann and family live in Fairfield, California Oswald never married, and has lived on the home place all his life. Lloyd married Myrtle Dahlen the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Olaf Dahlen. They live on a farm in Helena Township close to Revere. Elmer married Ruth Auren daughter of the late Gilbert T. Auren, his wife Gunhild is living in Crosby, Minnesota. They both lived in Cooperstown in their earlier years. Elmer and his wife are living on the farm formerly owned by Adolph and Isabelle Kjelson. Ralph married Luella May Auren. George John died when he was almost 2 years old. Their Mother Grace passed away in the flu epidemic in 1920.
On March 21, 1933, Johan married Tillie Auren daughter of Thor and Marit Auren. Tillie was born June 23rd, 1905 in the log house where Torfins lived near the Sheyenne River in Washburn Township the Alf Welands live there now. Johan and Tillie had a daughter Gale Marie. She is married to Howard Hanson and they live in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They have three children:
Rebecca, Rachel, and John.
Johan and Tillie have lived in Mabel Township Section 28 and farmed all the while. He passed away October 20, 1969. Oswald and Tillie live on the farm and continue its operations.
Source: Griggs County History 1879 - 1976 Page 355