With a name like Swen Johnson one might correctly guess that he was born in Sweden. In this case, he was born in Vaxjo, Sweden, on May 17, 1834. He came to Minnesota in 1854. He settled in Chisago, Washington County, Minnesota. When the war broke out, 24 year old Swen Johnson enlisted and on April 29, 1861, was mustered into Company B of the First Minnesota as a private. He was probably the older brother of David Johnson, who also served in Company B. Swen was wounded at Antietam, on Sept 17, 1862, when his left hand was shot off. His serious wound resulted in the amputation of his left arm. He was discharged for disability on December 12, 1862, at Washington DC. Swen probably returned to his farm in Chisago. He was married in Chisago in 1869. Together they raised 5 children. The 1910 and 1917 rosters of survivors of the First show him living there. Swen entered the Minnesota Soldier's Home in Minneapolis on Jan 14, 1923. He was 88 when he died there of old age on Aug 28, 1923. His body was returned to Chisago for burial. Sources: Roster of the First Minnesota Infantry, 1910. Roster of the Survivors, First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, 1917. Burial Record, Minnesota Soldiers Home. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
