Donated by Lynnette Flottum

Earl R. Johnson and Amy E. Swan were married on June 24, 1937.  After a couple years in the South Dewey area they moved down in the Leech Lake community along the Clam River in the Town of Roosevelt where they bought 120 acres of land for $700.00.  They started out with 5 cows, two each were given to them by their fathers, and one cow and heifer purchased from a neighbor.  They also had a few chickens and a dog.  They borrowed money to buy a team of horses for $130.00 including the harness.  The two week milk check was $8.78 and money was scarce.  Earl went to Iowa occasionally to pick corn and worked in the cranberry marsh to earn extra money plus an assortment of other jobs.  They dearly loved the community and property. They raised six children on this land; Darlene, Naomi, Lynnette, Corrine, Dean and Dale.  A new barn was built in 1944 and the house remodeled in 1952 adding an upstairs.  This property is still in the family today. They got to celebrate their Silver and Golden Anniversaries.