The first mention of this residence in the newspapers is an announcement of the upcoming marriage of Otto Johnson and Miss Lavinia Arnitz. Their marriage took place on October 17, 1905. The ceremony occurred at St. Anthony’s hospital and Rev. Father O’Dwyer officiated. Clyde Hollingshead was the best man was and Miss Florence Huck was bridesmaid. After the ceremony the bridal party repaired to the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. Bisiar, where they received the congratulations of about 60 of their friends after which a sumptuous wedding supper was served and then dancing was indulged in until a late hour. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were well known in Bemidji and had many friends who wished them a long life of happiness.
Several children were born while the Johnsons lived here: Lawrence, Vincent, Francis, Wilbur and a fifth child born Jan 21, 1916. Otto was appointed agent for the School Farm about 1916 and they moved to a home on the school farm on Irvine avenue. Mrs. Johnson fell ill on January 21, 1916 and died from an attack of bronchial pneumonia and other complications on March 1, 1916.
According to a 1914 Sanborn map, the dwelling was set back from the street, with one small building on the alleyway. The house was next occupied by Harry Crusberg, Salvation Army (1917 -1918); then by C. L. Arnold, patrolman and wife Myrtle (1920-21); and then by B. H. Hunt (1927-1938); and by Maurice Madsen (1934-35)
After World War II, the house was again occupied by Otto Johnson and the Vince Johnson family. Vince Johnson attended school in Bemidji and worked as a salesman in clothing stores most of his life. He married Myrtle V. Enstad on Jan. 5, 1936 in Bemidji. For a time he sold boots for the Chippewa Boot Co., then operated his own clothing store for several years before returning to Patterson’s. He was a salesman for clothing stores most of his life. He retired in 1970. Mrs. Johnson worked at O’Meara’s Clothing Store for 21 years. They raised four daughters in the house.