Gustave (Gustaf) Johnson was born May 19, 1842

On the Family Pedigree his name is shown as Gustaf Gabriel Gamaliel Johnson.

This following was written January 15, 1926 by his son, Leonard Johnson who was my mother's brother. It was written as told to him by his grandfather, Gustaf Johnson who was born May 19, 1842, Eghy, Lot, Kelmar, Sweden.   Gustaf died July 19, 1930 in Draper, Salt Lake County, Utah.

(Gustave (Gustaf) Johnson, born May 19, 1842

       "Grandfather was born of good Swedish parents. His father was born in Oland, Sweden, 1805, and his mother was born in Oland, Sweden, 1820. His parents were very poor. They worked very hard in trying to get enough food and clothing for their family. Their chief occupation was farming although they had to do other things to sustain life, such as, fishing and weaving in order to maintain the expense it took to raise their family. They suffered all kinds of hardship to keep their family alive. They would work on their farm in the daytime and weave clothing at night. When his father's brother died, he left them a farm. They began working on this farm and in a few years they were getting enough money to maintain the upkeep of their farm and enough to support their family.

        On May 19, 1842 my grandfather was born in Oland, Sweden.


Öland is an island in the Baltic Sea belonging to the Swedish county of Kalmar (Kalmar Län). A long and narrow island, Öland lies parallel to the mainland coast of Kalmar Län, separated from it by a channel called the Kalmarsund. The island is about 136 km (85 mi) long and 8-16 km (5-10 mi) wide


        During his childhood he worked on the farm. They had one or two cows to herd and he did this most of the time. He had seven years of schooling beginning when he was eight years of age and continuing until he was 15 years old. The school house was of a very crude structure. They would have to pay the teacher themselves as there wasn't very many that could afford it. But during his seven years of schooling he worked and studied very hard. He read a great deal if he could get the books. The most important book was the Bible. He read that so often and learned so many passages that before long he knew most of what was in it.        He learned the trade of a carpenter, and the rest of his years in Sweden he built many things for the people. He was considered at that time a first class carpenter and now is better than the average. He built things such as tables and churches and all kinds of furniture.
        One day in Sweden there was to be an entertainment so he went to it. During the entertainment a young lady came out on the stage and danced. From then on he began to go with this young lady and before long they were married, this occurring on December 31, 1872. The young lady's name was Anna Nielson. They are still living together in peace and harmony. During their married life, ten children were born to them. At present they have 29 grandchildren.
        As stated before he knew most of the important things in the Bible. By believing the words of the Bible he was converted by Karl August Obe. He secured a Book of Mormon from the Elders and read it through. He was baptized in Sweden.
       After living in Sweden for 39 years he and his wife decided to come to America. In August 21, 1881 they left Sweden for America. The first part of their journey through the North Sea was very rough, but when they hit the ocean the rest of the journey was alright. Landed in New York and rode on a train to Salt Lake arriving Sept 15, 1881. They settled in Mill Creek and bought a farm. Stayed there for a while and then came to South Jordan and lived there for about 20 years.
       In 1898 he was called to go on a mission to Stockholm, Sweden. He left that same year and returned home in 1901. He enjoyed his mission very much and was blessed by the Lord, him and his family.
       He had a stroke and a bad case of blood poison when he was old but he is now recovered. He is now 84 years old and his wife 78 years old. They are both enjoying good health.”
(This was written January 15, 1926)

Rich experiences with Grandfather and Grandmother Johnson while living with them. By their son Leonard.

        "I lived with my grandfather and grandmother and I had some rich experiences with them. My grandfather did most of the shopping. Every week my grandfather and I would go shopping. He always bought me something. One day I remember when we went shopping, it was November 17, 1917, the end of World War I. When we arrived in Sandy all the stores were closed. People were celebrating the end of the war. I was very disappointed that the stores were closed. I didn't receive a sack of candy that day.”
        I was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by my Grandpa Johnson.
        My grandmother Johnson was a very good cook. I enjoyed very much going into their home and having some of the cake she had baked.  She was a very pretty woman. She was kind and enjoyed very much when I came to see her.

        After we moved to the home my father had built I went down to see them one day. My uncle had some prized roosters and as I came around the straw stack one of the roosters flew at me and hit me in the face with it's feet. For that act of the rooster my grandmother made chicken soup out of him.
        My grandfather Johnson was a very good speaker and he had a strong testimony of the gospel. He had a great knowledge of the scriptures especially a testimony of the Bible and the Book of Mormon. I heard him many times bear witness to the truth.
        During his later years he always wore a hat and used a cane. Sometimes he sat with his hat on in the kitchen. I guess from seeing him wear a hat I enjoy wearing one to.
        He was very kind he and my grandmother, and after they moved to Draper, they enjoyed having our family visit with them. I enjoyed being with them.
        I heard my grandfather and grandmother say many times how happy they were that the Mormon missionaries came to their home in Sweden."