Johannes Haug, better known as John Haug, was born in Norway, Jan. 13, 1844, son of Johannes and Bertha (Gjerdrum) Haug, who were farmers in Norway. There were eight children in the family: Severen, Martin, Arne, Karnelius, Johannes, Johan, Bertha and Lena. John was the only one of the family who came to America, coming to Quebec in 1866 and going immediately to Minnesota. He located at Northfield and for three years worked around among the farmers. In 1868 he secured a homestead in Renville county, in section 28, in Sacred Heart township. He did not move upon his claim until 1869, after his marriage. He built a log cabin, 14 by 16 feet, and, with one cow and an ox team, began farming upon his tract of 80 acres. All supplies were hauled from New Ulm. The land was wild prairie land without a tree on the place, no roads, but in time Mr. Haug set out groves of trees, built modern buildings and barns and increased his farm to 450 acres. Mr. Haug has held the township offices of supervisor and treasurer, having held the latter position for twenty-five years. He is also a member of the church in his neighborhood and helped organize the first church and was one of its first trustees.

In 1868 Mr. Haug was married in Rice county to Bertha Hoff, born in Norway, Feb. 13, 1851, daughter of Christopher Hoff. She came to Minnesota with her uncle when she was fourteen years old. Mr. and Mrs. Haug have had twelve children: Idan, born Sept. 24, 1869, is now in the machinery business at Winnipeg, Canada. He married Selena Johnson and has four children, Jesse, Esther, Florence and Winfield. Minnie, born May 3, 1871, and died Jan. 30, 1904, was the wife of John Listerud, and left the following children: Hjelmer, Morris, Edna, Eva and Ruth. Barbara, born Jan. 9, 1873, is the wife if Hans Braun, of Minneapolis, and has three children: Blanchard, Edgar and Cyril. Kaia, born Nov. 6, 1875, now Mrs. Nels Nellermoe, of Winnipeg, Canada, has three children: Blanche, Alpha and Noel. Lauritz, born June 23, 1878, is in the machinery business with Idan, in Canada, with headquarters at Regina. He married Josepha Thornby. Clara, born July 9, 1880, was married to Engebret Enestvedt, a farmer of Sacred Heart township. Their children are Odin, Albertha and Johannes. Sigvart, born May 27, 1882, is now on a homestead in Alberta, Canada. Bertha, born Aug. 20, 1884, is now Mrs. Joseph Jacobson, of Sacred Heart village. Harold, born Dec. 5, 1886, is at home. Conrad, born Feb. 19, 1889, is on a homestead in Alberta, Canada. Laura, born May 9, 1891, is at home. Odin, born Dec. 23, 1893, is at home. Mrs. John Haug died May 26, 1912.