He was born on the Mehl Farm #3 called "Tuene", in Rosendal, Kvinnherad, Hordaland, Norway.

According to "Bygdeboks for Kvinnherad 3" Johannes took over the farm from his parents in 1842. He farmed "Tuene" from 1842 until 1877 when his son, Thorbjørn, took over.

Three Thorbjørns siblings married three Ols siblings. Johannes Thorbjørnssen, Brita Thorbjørndatter and Marta Thorbjørndatter married Martha Olsdatter, Ole Olsen and Johannes Olsen.

"Johannes Thorbjørnsen Mehl and his wife Martha Olsdatter (Ole's daughter) were farmers in Rosendal, Kvinnherad, Norway. They also had a mill driven by water close to the waterfall. There they ground their grain and that of the farmers nearby. Most of the farms at that time belonged to the Barony and the farmers paid rent according to the size of the farm. There were more than five hundred farms in his domain both big and small. Payment was made in the form of butter, calves, potatoes and in labor at the Barony's main farm. After the last of the owners of the Barony died (1927) the farmers were able to purchase their land at a reasonable price. Most did so and thus were able to own their places." Source: Mehl Family History written by grandson, Bjarne Emil Feet (1896-1986)

"He was called "gamle malaren" because he was always white when he came back from the Mel mill. He was a practical and well informed man." Source: Anders Havnelid: Kvinnherad Gards- og ættesoga, Volume 3, Main parish: Page 235-236 MEL Bnr. 3 Tuene
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Johannes Thorbjørns (59 Kvindherreds Prgj.) appears in the 1865 census for 1224 Kvindherred (Page 218, School district - Løfaldstranden og Kirkebygden, Parish - Kvindherred, Farm - Mehl #188) along with his wife, Martha Olsd. (54 Kvindherreds Prgj.) and nine children,
Thorbjørn Johanness. (30 Kvindherreds Prgj., working with father),
Ole Johanness. (25 Kvindherreds Prgj., working with father),
Johannes Johanness. (23 Kvindherreds Prgj., working with father),
Kari Johannesd. (20 Kvindherreds Prgj.),
Martha Johannesd. (18 Kvindherreds Prgj.),
Knud Johanness. (15 Kvindherreds Prgj.),
Iver Johanness. (13 Kvindherreds Prgj.),
Lars Johanness. (10 Kvindherreds Prgj.)
and Mari Johannesd. (6 Kvindherreds Prgj.).
Johannes' brother, Lars Thorbjørns (57 Kvindherreds Prgj.) was living and working with them. Another brother, Helge Thorbjørnsen (49 Kvindherreds Prgj.) and his family were living next door. Johannes was a "Gaardmd, Leilænd" or tenant farmer with a lifetime lease on the Mehl farm He owned 1 horse, 14 cattle, 30 sheep and one pig as of December 31st, 1865 and harvested 20 bushels of oats and 12 bushels of potatoes.

As a tenent farmer, Johannes Thorbjørnsen didn't own the farm. His right to use the land was granted through a registered lease contract with the Barony Rosendal. The lease was valid for his lifetime. In most cases a tenant farmer could let married offspring 'inherit' the lease, but then a new lease contract had to be registered. Johannes Thorbjørnsen did just that and his son, Thorbjørn, first took over the farm and then his daughter, Kari and her husband, Gunner.

Widower, Johannes Torbjørnsen Mehl (1806) was living with his daughter, Kari J. Mehl (1848) and her family on the Mehl family farm (Circuit - Kvinndherreds 8, Farm #85, Farm Unit #3, Farm - Mehl) when the 1900 Norwegian census for 1224 Kvinnherreds was taken. Johannes was retired and receiving support from his farm.

Five of their children immigrated to the United States, Ole in 1866, Ivar & Lars in 1873 Knut in ? (he was listed as a resident of Illinois when he returned to Norway in 1880) and Thorbjornsen and his family in 1883. Lars eventually returned to Norway. Johannes' brother, Helge Thorbjørnsen and his family also immigrated in 1870.

Johannes died on the Mehl Farm #3 called "Tuene", Kvinnherad, Hordaland, Norway.