Gustav M. Johnson, the fourth of 13 children, was born July 28, 1870, at Elk Point, Dakota Territory.  His parents were Lars Johnson Rudd and Elizabeth Lassessen (who emigrated from Norway in 1865).  Gustav married Sophie Margaret Jamtgaard of Alcester, SD, on December 7, 1899, in Sioux City, Iowa.  Sophie and Gustav and their three oldest children--Evelyn, Jerrold, and Leota--moved to a homestead near Grindstone, SD, in 1905.  In 1907, the family moved to Philip.  Two more daughters, Viola and Fern, were added to the family after moving to town.  Gustav died October 26, 1962, at the Alleman Rest Home in Pierre, having been preceded in death by his wife.  Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are buried in Philip. 

The collection consists of over 3,000 images in the form of glass plates, proof prints, and photo postcards. For the most part, the images are of events, scenes, and people in Philip and the surrounding area of Haakon County.  Some biographical data provided by the donor and by Johnson's youngest daughter, Fern Brooks, is included. 

Some of the images in the collection were published in A Pictorial History of the Philip Area, a copy of which is available in the Archives' library collection.