(Här kan du läsa om gården på svenska.)
Johannes Eriksson was born on October 29th 1869 to parents Erik Johansson and Wilhemlina Jansdotter, in the homestead Karl-Ers in Bjärström, which later became his home. He was the third of four children, Anna Wilhemlina, Mathilda Katarina, Johannes himself and Edla Kristina. He married Maria Mathilda Johansdotter, who as a midwife was of great importance to the countryside, and the two of them had a son, Jan-Erik Eriksson.
1903 Johannes took a position as woodworking teacher at the school Ålands Folkhögskola.
1917 he got elected Chairman of the Municipal Board in Finström.
He was called the ”peasant chief” and was elected Chairman of the meeting at the school Folkhögskolan when the Åland Islands Question got its start. Johannes was among the people travelling to Stockholm to present a long list of signatures by Ålanders’ wanting to belong to Sweden instead of Russia. He was later sent on several trips to e g Paris, London and Geneva, as a sort of diplomat.
Finally, the Åland Islands Question was settled and the Åland Islands became self-governing, demilitarized and a neutralized zone. 2022-2023 Åland celebrated 100 years.
Johannes was elected member of the first parliament of Åland in year 1922 and served as First Deputy Speaker until 1937. He died July 21st 1939. Johannes Eriksson is a significant person in the history of Åland.
Today the homestead is being managed by Södra Finströms Byalag r.f. and used as a gathering place for nearby villages.
