Johan migrated to the U.S. from Sweden in 1882 at the age of 24. He had gone ahead of his mother and brother and sister and established a home in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota. He worked in a quarry and became the foreman. As you can see, he was a pretty tough guy. My Dad only met him once as a small child and was terrified of him! Apparently as my grandfather grew up in Johan's household they spoke only Swedish and my grandfather didn't really speak much English till age 18. Johan died in 1944 at the age of 86.
It's not that great a photo, photographically speaking, but it gives an idea of what he was like.
My Dad thinks he was about 50 in this photo:
