Carl Johnson Engen was born at Decorah, Iowa, March 15, 1869. He came to Griggs County in 1881 with his parents John and Karri Johnson Engen, who took a homestead in Washburn Township. They had a family of eight children

two small boys died of diphtheria about a year after coming to this area. It was difficult to find a doctor; often they were too late. There were no churches established at that time, so the two brothers were buried in small cemetery near the Nels Opheim farm. Ben Johnson, the second oldest son became the owner, of his parents homestead.

Carl Johnson was married to Gunda Olson in 1898. She was the daughter of Lars Olson and Carrie Olson who came to this country from Sweden. There were three sons and three daughters in this family. Gunda was born in 1874. They had lived in Anoka, Minnesota before coming to North Dakota. Gunda's oldest brother died there. Lewis Olson, the youngest brother was a mail carrier on Route I out of Cooperstown for many years. Gunda worked for the Peter Nelgaard family before she was married.

Carl and Gunda Johnson settled in Washburn Township, between the Bridge school and the Thor Auren home, in a log cabin. Lars Olson had a claim or homestead in Section 24 of Washburn Township. This was the home of the Carl Johnson family for many years. There were seven children. They are:

Cora (Mrs. William Peterson), Emma Johnson, Thelma (Mrs. William Clausen), all of Cooperstown, North Dakota

Ida Johnson of Lakota, N - Dak -, Lawrence and Robert Johnson of Vancouver, Washington, and Mrs. Bernice Fjeld of Bellinghan, Washington.

Carl Johnson died January 1952, and Gunda Johnson passed away in August 1957. Both were buried at the Ness cemetery.

Source: Griggs County History 1879 - 1976 Page 485