Karl Johan Wiklund was born on 12 August 1893 in Munsala parish, Vasa County, Finland the son of Jakob Mattsson Wiklund (whose last name was Hvit, but he changed his name to Wiklund at some point), a farmer b. 24 December 1847 at Monå village, Munsala parish, near Nykarleby, Vasa County, Finland, and who in 1912 still lived there. His mother was Maria Sofia, nee Nilsdotter, who had been born 20 August 1850 in Munsala parish. His parents had married 26 June 1872 in Munsala parish. He and his brother Jakob Alfred had ten more siblings, including Anna Sanna, Maria Sofia, Jakob, b. 1876 (died in infancy), and Nils Wilhelm, b. 1884.

Mr Karl Johan Wiklund, 21, lived and worked with his parents on their farm in Nikolaistad (later Vasa/Vaasa), Finland. He boarded the Titanic at Southampton with his brother Jakob Alfred and Anna Sjöblom, they were destined for Montreal, Canada. During the voyage they were accompanied by fellow Finn Jakob Alfred Johanson.

As with other unmarried men, the Wiklund brothers' cabin was in the bow, on the night of the sinking they went to the stern to warn Anna Sjöblom about the danger.

Karl died in the sinking his body was never found.