On December 15, 1855, Halvor C. Johnson was born to Knut Johansen Hyttedalen and his wife, formerly Gro Halvorsdatter Hombredk, in Oifjeld, near Rauland, Telemarken, Norway.
When Halvor was living in Norway he was known as Halvor Johnansen and he chose to retain this name in America, only Americanizing in to Johnson. In 1890, he married Anne Groven, of Aamotsdol, Norway. She was on her way to visit her brother E. H. Groven in Hannaford. They were married in Ellendale and moved to South Dakota, where Halvor had a homestead. He sold the homestead and in the fall of 1890, they moved to the Hannaford area. Their two eldest sons were born here. Carl, December 15, 1890; and Henry, January 23, 1892.
Halvor then bought one-half of Section 1-143-59 in Barnes County. He soon bought more land in Sections 36-144-59, Griggs County. After they moved onto the farm in 1893, their third son, Albert, was born on November 24. Joseph was born February 20, 1897; and daughters, Hazel, March 8, 1899; and Ellen, December 14, 1900.
The children attended grade school in the Ladbury School about 2 1/2 miles away in Barnes County. Henry was needed on the farm so only finished the sixth grade. Carl, Albert, Joseph and Ellen attended Concordia Academy in Moorhead, Minnesota. Carl also attended a term at St. Olaf Academy in Northfield, Minnesota, while Joseph and Albert finished college at St. Olaf.
The Lutheran Church at Hannaford was organized in 1898. Halvor was one of the charter members and a trustee until the late 1930s. Before the Hannaford church was organized, the family attended services in Walum.
In 1920, the parents retired from farming, moved to Hannaford, and within two years, built a house in town. This is the house where the John Grover, Jr., family now lives. Carl then took over the farming. Henry had died in January 1919, of the dreaded 1918 flu-pneumonia. Albert became a practicing attorney and was vice-counsel for Norway for 25 years. He married Alma J. Peterson of Pelican Rapids and they became the parents of three children: Robert, Ruth and Rebecca. They made their home in Fargo. Alma passed away in January 1971, after which Albert married Mae Haroldson. Albert died in December 1976.
Joseph also became an attorney. He was a member of the FBI for 22 years and following his retirement, taught criminal law at the University of Louisville, Kentucky. He married Elizabeth Buckley in 1932. Joseph passed away August 17, 1970, at Tampa, Florida.
Hazel passed away March 28, 1914, having been ill since childhood. Ellen married Louis Larson of Hannaford, June 1, 1927. They had three children: Dorothy, Donald and Paul. They farmed west of Hannaford. Ellen died June 1987.
Anne Groven Johnson died in July 1932, and Halvor in December 1939.
Carl lived on the family farm until 1945, when he moved into Hannaford. He married Emma Haugen Johnson, daughter of John J. Haugen, November 1, 1923. She was a widow with a son, Ernest. The children born to the couple were Willard, Arthur, Esther and twins Richard and Roland. Carl died in June 1962. Emma died in May 1977.
Ernest married Della Nelson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Anton Nelson, and they farm near the Johnson home place in Barnes County. Their children are Wayne and Mavis (Mrs. Albert Grorud). Willard was killed in action in the European Theatre during World War II.
Arthur married Florence Loge, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Loge. They have two children, Nancy and Gary. After serving many years as school superintendent in Hannaford, Turtle Lake, Carrington and Underwood, Arthur retired and they make their home with Florence's brother, Manford, in Sverdrup Township, Griggs County. Esther lives in Long Beach, California, with her husband, Ronald Neuman. They have two children, Carolyn and Jerry.
Roland lives on the Southeast 1/4 of Section 32-144-59 in Griggs County. He married Helen Poe of Modesto, California. They have four children: Connie, Dean, and twins Gwen and Gail. Roland is the rural mail carrier for Hannaford.
Richard lives on and farms the home farm which Halvor had bought. He married Phyllis Bjugstad of Barron, Wisconsin, and they have four children: Sandra, Lynn, Kenley and Laurie.
Source: Hannaford Area History North Dakota Centennial 1889 - 1989 Page 171