In his youth, John lived north of Winthrop, Minn., for several years. In 1910, John was a farmer living with his wife and son Jerome in Rutland Township, Sargent Co., N.D. By 1918, they lived in Coggswell, N.D. Another source indicates they lived in Stirum, N.D., from 1909 to 1925. By 1925, John and his family were living in Forman, N.D. In September of that year they settled in Bird Island, Minn.

John was also a building carpenter by trade. He worked on road crews that built roads and bridges. During the Great Depression, the family sometimes lacked electricity. The family farm had five horses and was hard work. Feed sacks served double duty as they were transformed into dresses by Anna.

John’s death was considered sudden, as he had no illness prior to his demise.

Known as “Jenny.” Following her marriage to Philip Steil in 1955, she lived in Aitkin, Minn., where they lived until August of 1961 when they moved back to Bird Island, Minn.