At the time of the 1911 census for Selkirk, MB, his parents were living with the family, as well as a husband and wife labourer, Johanus and Emma Jolson (born Mar 1877 and Mar 1893, respectively).He was a farmer at the time.

Immigrated to Canada in 1894, became a naturalized citizen in 1897.

Started a dairy business in 1928, and was one of the founders of the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Green Bay in 1898. He was a councillor for the Municipality of Brokenhead for many years.