There (per the book 'Spinnel-Anna Slakt', Table 1496), he met an orphan who lived with her rich uncle in a big house in Degerfors  and shared with her his vision of life in a new land, America, where free land was available in accordance with the Homestead Act signed by Pres. Abraham Lincoln.  Letters of prior emigrants told in glowing reports how every person could pursue whatever goals they set for themselves in freedom with all concomitant opportunities.  In 1880 they were married in the Degerfors church  and as soon as their little girl,  Hilma Maria (12/31/1880-12/21/1882 ) was well enough, they emigrated to America in 1882. This is well before brothers Nils and Anders consider the move.  Sadly, their baby barely survived the gureling voyage in the ship's hold and died on arrival in Souix Falls, SD.

The couple looked for a homestead, living in a sod dug-out in Ramsey Township, McCook County, near what would become a village his brother would start called Center, South Dakota.  While looking for a farmplace to settle, John worked  in a rock quarry continuing that while farming, walking with others 50 miles from Ramsey to Sioux Falls, a trip that took 3 days; hence his visits home were once every month.  They filed a homestead and built a wood house NE of Center Lutheran Church, which the Anderson family, the Wicklund family & others helped build.  The family soon grew to 11; John's two brothers and mother joined them.