Gravestone: Charles A. and Hilda (Berge) JOHNSON

Gravestone. Charles A. (1884-1941) and Hilda [Berge] (1882-1960) JOHNSON. Decorah Lutheran Cemetery: Decorah, Winneshiek, IA. Image courtesy of Verla Williams (4 Jun 2011).

Descendants of Charles A. JOHNSON (1884-1941)

Descendants chart. Charles A. JOHNSON (1884-1941), p. 1. Image courtesy of Williams Family Pages.


Descendants chart. Charles A. JOHNSON (1884-1941), p. 2. Image courtesy of Williams Family Pages.


Descendants chart. Charles A. JOHNSON (1884-1941), p. 3. Image courtesy of Williams Family Pages.

Carl and Emma (JOHNSON) Hexom

Wedding portrait. Carl and Emma (JOHNSON) Hexom (9 Jun 1909). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

Gravestone: Carl D. and Emma G. (JOHNSON) Hexom

Gravestone. Carl D. (1875-1949) and Emma C. [JOHNSON] Hexom (1887-1963). Glenwood Lutheran Cemetery: Glenwood, Winneshiek, IA. Image courtesy of Verla Williams (4 Jun 2011).

Descendants of Emma C. (JOHNSON) Hexom (1887-1963)

Descendants Chart. Emma C. JOHNSON (1887-1963), p. 1. Image courtesy of Williams Family Pages.


Descendants Chart. Emma C. JOHNSON (1887-1963), p. 2. Image courtesy of Williams Family Pages.


Descendants Chart. Emma C. JOHNSON (1887-1963), p. 3. Image courtesy of Williams Family Pages.

Gravestone: George D. and Corrine M. (Langland) Hexom

Gravestone. George D. (1911-1976) and Corrine M. (Langland) (1912-1976) Hexom. East Glenwood Cemetery, Winneshiek, IA. Photo by Barb Hemesath, courtesy of Iowa Gravestone Photo Project.


Detail of Gravestone. George D. and Corrine M. Hexom. Image courtesy of Iowa Gravestone Photo Project.

Obituaries & Memorial: Arnold H. Hexom and Family

Obituary. Arnold H. Hexom. Image courtesy of Horton-Plainfield Historical Club.


Memorial (Inner page). Arnold H. Hexom. Image courtesy of Verla Williams.


Memorial (Outer page). Arnold H. Hexom. Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

Arnold H. Hexom, 76, of 1005 12th St. N.W. Waverly, Iowa, died Thursday morning, May 3, 1990, at the Kaseman Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico, after suffering a massive heart attack on April 25, 1990.

He was born on May 7, 1913, on a farm in Union Prairie Twp., Allamakee County, Iowa,
the son of Carl & Emma Johnson Hexom. He was baptized in the Lutheran Faith on June 1, 1913, and was confirmed in the Glenwood Lutheran Church near Decorah, Iowa. After
graduating from the 8th grade in a rural school near his home, he helped his family farm, and also became an auctioneer. At the age of 13 Arnold bought a black colt which really started him in the horse business, and he has been in it ever since.

On December 27, 1941, he was united in marriage to Lorine L. Ludeking. On January 10, 1942, Arnold entered the U.S. Army during W. W. II, serving in the Asiatic Pacific Theatre of War. He was discharged on November 14, 1945, and returned to Iowa, lived in Waukon for a short while. They moved to Waverly in 1946 and Arnold worked for the T. H. Bany Implement Co.

He later formed a partnership with Ted Bany, Wilbert Oberheu and Ed Engelbrecht and started the Waverly Sales Barn in 1947. He later bought out his partners and owned and
operated the sales barn until 1972 when he sold the business. He then started the Hexom-Sweeney Sales Co., which he was involved in until his death. Lorine died on May 9, 1980, and on December 11, 1980, Arnold was united in marriage to Myrtle Johnson
Westby. The couple have spent the last nine winters living in Scottsdale, Arizona, and
were on their way back to Iowa when Arnold suffered a heart attack near Albuquerque.

He was a member of the Glenwood Lutheran Church, Decorah, was a former member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Waverly, and a former member of St. Paul’s Church Council. Arnold founded the world renowned Waverly Draft Horse Sale in March, 1948, and it has continued successfully to the present time. He is a member and past director of the Percheron Horse Assn. of America, a member of the Belgian Horse Assn. of America, and a member and past president of the Iowa Auctioneering Assn. He is a member of the Clydesdale Horse Assn. of the United States, and was one of six in the United States presented with a lifetime membership. Arnold had been an active participant in the Iowa Fair Assn., and his portrait hangs in the Draft Horse Hall of Fame in the Iowa State Fair Horse Barn in Des Moines. He is a member of B.P.O.E., Son's of Norway, V.F.W., American Legion, and Amvets.

He is survived by his wife, Myrtle, and his three sisters, Esther Hill of Decorah, Mabel, Mrs. Merle Jensen of Bennet, Neb., and Helen, Mrs. Erwin Basler of Northbrook, Ill. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, two brothers, George and Carlton, and one sister, Florence Folstad.


Obituary. Lorine L. (Ludeking) Hexom. Image courtesy of Horton-Plainfield Historical Club.

See also the IA GenWeb site for the following obituaries:

• Arnold H. Hexom
• Myrtle (Johnson Westby) Hexom
  

Arnold H. Hexom. Image courtesy of IA GenWeb Obituaries and also Iowa Gravestone Photo Project.

Gravestone: Arnold H. and Lorine L. (Ludeking) Hexom

Gravestone. Lorine L. (1914-1980) and Arnold H. (1913-1990) Hexom. Image courtesy of Iowa Gravestone Photo Project.

My Life as a Rural School Teacher

[NOTE: The first paragraph of text below appears at the top of the document in handwritten script.]

In the spring of 1986, I was interviewed on the story of my life as a rural school teacher, and also attending a rural school, and why I became a teacher, etc. This interview is now recorded in the book of “archives” at Luther College. I decided to make copies of it for my close family at Christmas of 1986.

I am Esther Hexom Hill and live at 806 East Main Street in Decorah, Iowa.

I was born in Allamakee County a daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Carl Hexom. My mother’s maiden name was Emma Johnson. I came from a family of seven children, George, Arnold, Carlton, Florence, Mabel, and Helen. I grew up on a large dairy farm of over 300 acres. I had very loving and Christian parents and we were a very close-knit family.

I attended all eight grades in a rural school. It was called the "Bell" school located in Union Prairie Township, Allamakee County. All our neighboring rural schools had a number but our Bell School did not have a number. It was called the “Bell” school because it was the first school with a large bell in it’s tower in Allamakee County. Each school day the Bell was rung at 8:30, we called it the first Bell, and the last Bell was rung at 9:00 o’clock and that meant classes would commence. It was rung again at 1:00 o’clock after lunch and the play period. In its earlier years this Bell was also rung for neighborhood emergencies.

I liked, respected and loved all my teachers. Each relationship with my teachers was a good learning situation. Older pupils helped the younger children with their studies if their lessons were completed. I was so proud when I was asked very often to be teachers helper to assist younger pupils that needed help. Doing this aiding of pupils helped me decide that I wanted to become a teacher and work with children.

Much of my play time as a child on the farm was to play school. When my sisters or brothers got bored and refused to be pupils (because I always insisted on being the teacher), I’d line up dolls and use my mother’s clothespins as imaginary pupils. I loved playing school.

I have happy memories of my days at the Bell School. Some of the highlights during the term were Spell Downs, Arithmetic Drills and Contests, Geography games, and History Quizzes on Fridays after last recess. We also looked forward to school programs in the fall of the year, the Christmas programs in December, and the big annual picnic at the close of the term.

I attended Waukon High School and took normal training in preparation to teach at a rural school.

I taught my three first terms in a rural school in Glenwood Township, Winneshiek County. I have happy memories of teaching these three terms in this school. The first term I received forty-five dollars a month. The second year I received sixty dollars a month. The third term I received sixty-five dollars a month. We were paid for nine months each year. I did my own janitor work. I paid three dollars and fifty cents a week for room and board at a farm house close to school. This was Monday through Friday.

In the fall of 1936 I married Chester Hill and became a homemaker and mother of two children. I could not continue to teach because a married lady would not be given a contract. So I stayed home and raised my children until they entered the upper grades in school, then I decided to renew my teaching certificate and continue my career. There was a shortage of teachers now and they hired married ones.

I attended Luther College and also took correspondence courses from State Teachers College, and went back to teaching in 1952. Again I enjoyed working with children, so very much and am so grateful for the opportunity I had to work with and help them.

From 1952 through 1960 I taught eight terms in Frankville, No. 7 located in Winneshiek County. This was a one room rural school with an oil burner for heat. There was no basement. At the entrance we had a large room which served as a cloak room, and provided a place for wraps, boots, and rubbers. It provided a place for the water cooler, wash basins and towel racks. Water was carried by bucket from a nearby farm.

I was paid three hundred dollars a month for nine months or twenty seven hundred dollars for the last term I taught. I was very happy in this environment and surroundings. I felt I was well reimbursed for my work.

A typical school day opened with the raising of the flag, as the pupils gave the pledge of allegiance. Then "Good Morning" greetings to all and a short prayer asking for guidance in all our work and play, for this day and also through our learning experiences so that we will all become good citizens, in our homes, schools, state, and country.

The forenoon schedule consisted of Reading, Math, and Spelling. In the afternoon we worked with lighter subjects that consisted of English, Arts, and Social Studies. Friday afternoons were for catch up, or makeup work, and drills. After last recess on Friday we had Art, Music and cleanup.

Our school organized a very active Mother’s Club with the first meeting at the very beginning of the term. New textbooks, new methods and curriculum were introduced. At other meetings we had classes with pupil participation. Also on the agenda were discussions of programs, picnics, and at some meetings educational films were shown.

These meetings brought teacher, pupil, and parents very close together. They solved many problems and misunderstandings. Parent participation was 100%. Two mothers hosted a lunch. We met on Friday from 2:30 to 4:00 pm. We averaged six meetings a term. All parents, pupils, and I, as a teacher, looked forward to these meetings.

In a rural school we were like one big happy family helping each other and working together. Older pupils assisting younger ones if they had time. Thus much individual help was given where needed. My two children attended Decorah Public Schools and they received an excellent education. But, I feel that much togetherness of the neighborhood, and working together and helping each other is now lacking in the community with the closing of the rural schools.

Memorial and Obituary: Esther Clarice (Hexom) Hill

Memorial (Outer page). Esther Clarice (Hexom) Hill (1915-2005). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.


Memorial (Inner page). Esther Clarice (Hexom) Hill (1915-2005). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

Obituary

Esther Clarice Hexom Hill was born January 3, 1915 on the home farm in Allamakee County, Iowa, the daughter of Carl and Emma (Johnson) Hexom. She was baptized on January 31, 1915 and confirmed on April 21, 1929 at Glenwood Lutheran Church, rural Decorah. She graduated from Waukon High School with the Class of 1932. Esther taught at Shegrud School in Glenwood Township for three years.

She was united in marriage with Chester H. Hill on August 30, 1936 at Glenwood Lutheran Church. To this union two children were born: Clyde and Cheryl.

After raising her family, Esther attended Luther College and also took correspondence courses from Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls. She resumed teaching in 1952 and taught for eight terms at Frankville No. 7 School in Frankville Township. Esther then worked in the physical therapy department of the Winneshiek County Hospital in Decorah for fifteen years.

She was a member of First Lutheran Church, Decorah, where she taught Sunday school, was a member of the altar guild, church circle and the deaconesses. Esther loved flowers and thoroughly enjoyed caring for her plants, watering them and watching them bloom and grow. She liked to have her own garden and was a founding member of the Wayside Garden Club.

Esther died Sunday, July 3, 2005 at the Ossian Senior Hospice in Ossian, Iowa of complications of colon cancer at the age of 90 years.

Survivors include her son, Clyde (Joyce) Hill of Brooksville, FL.; her daughter, Cheryl Williams of Houston, TX.; three grandchildren, Tina (Larry) Brown of Houston, Gwen (Daryl) Wilmeth of Houston, Chris (Katie) Hill of Burnsville, MN.; seven great-grandchildren, one sister, Helen Basler of Decorah, IA., and many other relatives and close friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Chester on December 16, 1978; three brothers, George, Arnold and Carlton Hexom; and two sisters, Florence Falstad and Mabel Jensen.

Lily Viola JOHNSON: Confirmation (21 Apr 1907)

Confirmation portrait. Lillie Viola JOHNSON (Decorah, IA: Solberg, 1907). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.


Confirmation Memorial. Lily Viola JOHNSON (Glenwood Lutheran Church, Winneshiek, IA: 21 Apr 1907). Original courtesy of Verla Williams. Scan and digital composite by Mark D. Williams.

Konfirmations = Minde

Lily Viola Johnson
Födt 13^de Juni 1892
Konfirmeret 21^de April 1907
Glenwood Ev. Luth. Kirke
S. A. Scarve, prest.

Stanley and Esther (JOHNSON) Ask

Stanley and Esther (JOHNSON) Ask, (Henning, c. 1924). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

Gravestone: Esther F. JOHNSON

Gravestone. Esther F. (JOHNSON) Ask (1894-1938). Glenwood Lutheran Cemetery: Glenwood, Winneshiek, IA. Image courtesy of Verla Williams (4 Jun 2011).

Descendants of Esther F. (JOHNSON) Ask (1894-1938)

Descendants Chart. Esther F. (JOHNSON) Ask (1894-1938). Image courtesy of Williams Family Pages.

Connie and Anna (JOHNSON) Rosenthal

Wedding Portraits. Anna (JOHNSON) and Connie Rosenthal (7 Oct 1919). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

Gravestone: Constance H. and Anna S. (JOHNSON) Rosenthal

Gravestone. Constance H. (1896- 1961) and Anna S. (JOHNSON) Rosenthal (1897-1975). Decorah Lutheran Cemetery: Decorah, Winneshiek, IA. Image courtesy of Verla Williams (4 Jun 2011).

Descendants of Anna S. (JOHNSON) Rosenthal (1897-1975)

Descendants Chart. Anna S. (JOHNSON) Rosenthal (1897-1975). Image courtesy of Williams Family Pages.

William N. and Mabel (McCauley) JOHNSON

William N. and Mabel (McCauley) JOHNSON (prob. c. 1931). Images courtesy of Verla Williams. Partial digital restoration by Mark D. Williams.

The Life of a Country Boy

William N. Johnson, "The Life of a Country Boy," (Date unknown), p. 1. Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

The Life of a Country Boy
By William N. Johnson

I was born April 28, 1900. My mother said it was on a beautiful Saturday morning and that I weighed 8 lbs. and that I was a beautiful blond baby boy, but I think she exaggerated.

The first that I can remember was that I was moved out of my mother & dad's bedroom when brother Arthur was born. I was rather upset as I remember, but mother said I now had a real nice baby brother, and that made every thing O.K. He was so small, weighed only 3 1/2 lbs so mother said I must always be his protector. This stuck in my mind for years. I can well remember when he was old enough for country school no one dared to pick on brother Art, or they would deal with me.

I also well remember my Grandfather Sander. He was my mother's father. He was the original owner of the Johnson farm in Glenwood twp. He purchased the farm in 1870, as I remember. He formerly owned farms in Madison twp. and Decorah twp., the latter being on Hiway 9 close to present airport.

I remember him telling that he carried a sack of wheat to McGregor to be ground into flour and carried it back home on his back. No mills any closer at that time.

We used to kid him because he bought the Glenwood farm, hilly and woods, compared to the farm near [the] airport. His answer was, Water. He started a mill on the Glenwood farm, with a millrace or water directed from Trout River that ran through his farm. Seeing Trout River today, I can hardly realize that the stream was large enough to be able to give sufficient for water power, but it was the millstone from this mill [that] is now at Frankville.

Grandpa Sander told about buying the land west of [the] Decorah Court House, now known as West Broadway including Phelps Park for $200.00, borrowing the needed funds from Weiser, banker, paying 20% interest. He sold it shortly after purchase for $400.00. He thought a great profit for the [18]50's.

We always thought Grandpa Sander was a great man. He was 6'3" tall, bright red hair, tough Norwegian. His wife died when they lived in Madison twp. She was buried in the East Madison Cemetery, now well maintained. Mother was 4 years old when her mother died, and I will always think she was his favorite. Brede Sander died in 1905 and [was] buried in the Glenwood Cemetery. God rest his soul - a good man and a great Grandpa.

My father [Gustav Johnson] was born in Norway, "Nes på Romerike" and came to America when he was 9 years old. They settled in Madison, Wisc.

Mother [Henrietta Sander] was born in Madison twp. near Decorah.

A little history about father: his father was a musician. His mother a housewife. He had one brother and one sister. His brother became what was known then as a goldsmith. His sister, Bertha, was married to a man by the name of Muggy. Her husband died as a young man. She moved to Decorah shortly thereafter, buying a home next to what is now the Elks Home. I remember her well, as we visited her often, a very gracious lady. She later moved to Seattle, Washington. Sister Lillie heard from her often. She remarried a man out there by the name of Sivesind.

My mother's family consisted of three brothers and four girls, mother, Jane Hanson, Ellen Bakke, and Anna Peterson. Her brothers names: Ben the youngest, Anton, a L[uther] C[ollege] grad and Brede Jr.

Now a little bit about my life.

I was born on April 28, 1900 in Glenwood twp., Winneshiek County, Iowa. I can remember so many good things about my growing [up] years: Brother Arthur three years younger, [and I] were such good pals, country grade school, Parochial School always two weeks in the spring and same before school started in the fall. Our grade school called the Baker School had quite a large attendance; always around 30 girls and boys. Think of the job for teachers 1st through 8th grade classes and me at times not too easy to get along with.

My closest pal probably was Henry Johnson, no relation. He lived with his grandparents Hans and Randi Brustad, close neighbors. They were very poor, and therefore his school lunches not too good. I shared my good school lunches with him real often. Henry after some years worked for the Hormel Co. in Austin, Minn. (Meat Co.)

After finishing my 8th grade at the great age of 14, I went to and attended Valders College in Decorah winters 14-15/15-16/16-17/17-18, the first two winters in their Normal Dept. and two years after in the Commercial Dept. learning Business, Banking, and Law.

In the spring of 1918 I was given my diploma - William Norman Milton Johnson -beautiful and large [with] President Valders' beautiful penmanship.

Two weeks after my graduation, Charles Weiser called our home in Glenwood, talked to father saying Valders had recommended me for a bank job and asked Dad to bring me to his bank, resulting in offering me a "position" (I question) in his bank. $25.00 per month. "Big stuff." I became a teller, after six months doing odd jobs.

I roomed and boarded with my brother, Charles, paying $18.00 per month, so I had $7.00 per month for myself. Not too "extravagant." I had a savings in [the] Bank of $100.00 and after six months employment I was "broke." I remember seeing Mr. Algyer the bank V.P. telling him I couldn't live on my salary of $25.00 per month, and I would seek work elsewhere. I remember telling him Section hands on Railroad paid $4.00 per day.

He answered don't you think your opportunities are greater for promotion staying at the bank? I replied saying I had heard of Section Hands becoming President of the Railroad. He laughed at that, saying he would speak with the big boss, Weiser, resulting in my getting a raise to $40.00 per month. This I thought was wonderful.

I [had] however many wonderful years working in the Weiser Banks. I was promoted to Auditor of his many banks, later to Credit Manager and Cashier. Mr. Weiser treated us well. The bank closed in 1932. Not on account of bad loans, but liquidity. Deposits shrunk but loans did not. Under forced liquidation the Weiser bank paid out about 90%. If properly handled should have paid 100%. Other Weiser banks did. Frankville bank paid 110%. So much for my banking experience except to say I lost my bank stock investment, plus 100% assessment on my stock. It took me four to five years to pay assessment.

In 1932 Ray Algyer and I started an insurance and real estate business - named The A & J Agency, Inc. We struggled the first few years but it became a very successful business. During the first years I was appraising for the Homeowners Loan Corp. Also appraiser for the Regional Agriculture Corp. making chattel loans to farmers on livestock, machinery, etc. My partner Ray was appointed Conservator [of the] First National Bank of Sumner.

All income went into one pot - the A & J Agency - splitting other expenses, our net at year end. Not too much but kept the wolf from the door. Ray was a great partner. I have never heard him say a bad word about anyone. I remember him saying to me at the end of one year, "Bill, we haven't made too much money, but we have had fun."

The A & J Agency was quite a success after a few years. Ray ran the office and yours truly solicited insurance - sale of real estate, etc. It seemed like a real tough job, having been in the banking business where people have to see you for help, instead of you coming to see them for business.

However after some time all worked for the good. Our business grew, and our efforts proved successful. Ray and I owned 50/50 the A & J stock. Later he wanted to retire and offered me his share of the business at a very fair price, and I became the sole owner. Later I hired Willard Linnevold for help and later Stan Hanson as our business grew. Later I sold a percentage to Willard and Stan.

Mabel [McCauley] and I were married on Sept 19, 1931. Father Hogan performed the marriage at the Catholic Parish Home on East Broadway. Melvin and Margaret Sattre were our witnesses. Breakfast at the Calmar Hotel. Our homeymoon was a trip by car out east, to Niagara Falls, Canada and return, about three weeks. My parents celebrated their Golden Wedding the day after we returned home.

From Church to Home

 
Barbara Hunt, "From Church to Home," (A Decorah Newspaper c. 1971). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

From Church to Home 

In 1892, the Baptists found a home in Decorah when a church was built for their congregation. The first pastor was the Rev. Henry Grant, and he apparently left Decorah only to return for a second pastorate. His great granddaughter, Helen Grant Schmidt, lives in Decorah and is seeking information about the Rev. Grant and the church. She knows from a Des Moines Register feature which appeared in 1933 that the Seventh Day Adventists took over the building after the Baptists, whose membership" was dwindling, gave it up. Picture No. 2 shows the demolished steeple of the church which blew down in a wind storm and was never replaced.

The church building was abandoned for a time until Mr. A. Leytze bought it. He, with Hanson and Altfillisch architects and A. R. Coffeen, contractor, transformed the church building into an attractive home. It is located and is now the residence of Mr. and Mrs. William (Bill) Johnson. Mrs. Schmidt would appreciate any information, especially dates of when the storm struck the steeple and when the Baptist church ceased to exist at that location.

UPDATE (10 Nov 2020): Larry Peterson posted a beautifully colorized photo of the Baptist church in the Decorah High School Friends and Others Facebook Group and has granted me permission to use it here.

Baptist Church (date unknown). Photo credit: Tyler. Colorized by Larry Peterson. Original photo below.

 

Memorial and Obituary: William N. M. JOHNSON (1900-1994)

Memorial & Obituary (14 Feb 1994). William N. M. JOHNSON. Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

A SERVICE OF PRAISE TO GOD
for the life of William N. M. Johnson

William N. M. Johnson, the son of Gustave Johnson and his wife Henrietta Sander Johnson, was born on the family farm in Glenwood Township, Winneshiek County, Iowa, on April 28, 1900. He was baptized at Glenwood Lutheran Church, and as a teen-ager he confirmed his Christian faith in that same church.

Bill attended the country school in Glenwood Township and he was a 1918 graduate of Valders Business College in Decorah.

Immediately upon graduation he started working for the Winneshiek County Bank. Bill was employed by the bank for fourteen years and he became the bank’s Cashier. In 1932 together with Ray Algyer, he founded the A & J Agency. It was the beginning of a long relationship with the company of which he became President. He sold his last remaining interest in the Agency on January 1st of this year.

Bill had an affinity for long relationships. On September 19, 1931, he was united in marriage with Mabel C. McCauley at the St. Benedict’s rectory. Mabel died last December after they had celebrated their 62nd anniversary.

Besides his membership at First Lutheran Church, Bill was active in his community. He served on the Board of Smith Memorial Hospital for many years and was their treasurer. He was a supporter of the Aase Haugen Home and he helped with fund drives for Luther College. He became the President of the Decorah Savings and Loan Association, and was elected a director of the Iowa Savings and Loan League in 1966.

Bill and Mabel enjoyed their home at 704 W. Water Street, and they enjoyed the winters they were able to spend in Florida, until the weaknesses of age made those long trips impossible. Bill died at the Winneshiek County Memorial Hospital on February 11, 1994, at the age of 93 years, 9 months, and 13 days. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mabel; by his parents; and by all eight of his sisters and brothers.

He is survived by his many nieces and nephews.

God bless his memory among us.

Gravestone: William N. and Mabel (McCauley) JOHNSON

Gravestone. William N. (1900-1994) and Mabel C. (McCauley) JOHNSON (1898-1993). Phelps Cemetery: Decorah, Winneshiek, IA. Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

Arthur S. and Vivian (Ask) JOHNSON

Arthur S. and Vivian (Ask) JOHNSON (Prob. c. 1929). Images courtesy of Verla Williams. Digitally retouched by Mark D. Williams

Arthur S. and Florence (Sersland) JOHNSON

Wedding Portrait. Arthur S. and Florence (Sersland) JOHNSON (14 Feb 1942). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

Gravestone: Arthur S. and Florence A. (Sersland) JOHNSON

Gravestone. Arthur S. (1903-1961) and Florence A. (Sersland) JOHNSON (1917-2003). Decorah Lutheran Cemetery: Decorah, Winneshiek, IA. Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

Remembering the Johnsons

The Johnson Farm (1999). Image courtesy of Helen (JOHNSON) Miller.

Remembering the Johnsons
By Helen Johnson Miller

Remembering: a time less hectic--no air conditioning, walking everywhere, a car used only for church or a Sunday drive, drying dishes by hand, a seamstress who sewed for a living . . . making over from the old with cotton and wool, before polyester and nylon. Shirts to be starched and ironed, big gardens, canning fruits and vegetables . . . when fertilizer meant manure. A new Easter hat every year, no TV . . . soap operas on the radio, lots of relatives living close by, Ladies Aid on Thursday afternoons, egg-a-dosis for Easter and klubb in the winter: oh so good! A cook stove heated by wood in winter and gas in summer, spring cleaning: coal heat made everything so dirty. May Basket Day with baskets made from left over flowered wallpaper. Mama’s May 1st birthday with all lady relatives and neighbors in the afternoon and men for supper. Calling in grocery, bakery, and meat market orders, milk in returnable bottles, all delivered daily and billed once a month.

Remembering: A time when a lady never left home without a pretty cloth handkerchief in her purse, Myrtle and I singing in the Messiah at a very young age at Luther at Christmas time. Luther . . . a small men’s college of about 400 that seemed like an extension of high school as we supported sports and musical events: Wally played the violin in the orchestra. Remembering: swimming below the dam--very dangerous: Wally fell in and was going under when he was saved by Carlton Fagerly. We all appreciated the new city pool when it was finished.

Remembering a time when we didn’t worry about crime. A friend and I at age 14 wanted to go to the Chicago World’s Fair in the 30’s. She had a cousin there, so . . . with $20 sewn in a pocket made in our bras we traveled by train. After a long wait at Central Station, we were finally met by relatives. They lived miles out in a suburb and we were told her aunt had a bad heart so we'd be on our own for the entire week. She packed sack lunches for us and wrote down our street car changes. With no fears we traveled all over Chicago: the zoo, downtown, and of course, to the Fair by Lake Michigan. No one checked i.d.‘s so we saw all the shows--“Streets of Paris” with naked gilded ladies was especially memorable!!

Entertainment was easy and movies were inexpensive: 10 cents for matinees and a quarter for evening movies. Ice cream parlors up town for treats, the county fair with its shows, horse races, and cotton candy. In the winter sledding on Day Street from the top of Pleasant Hill and skiing on the Pearson hill--the parade on Decoration Day--fourth of July picnics and fireworks. Mama never cared how many kids came, there was always plenty of homemade bread and cold meat on hand.

1929 and 1930 were tough times but our family had plenty of food, always, and our relatives on farms had their own chickens, meat, and milk.

Christmas Memories--much decorating and baking: lefsa, Christmas bread, krum-kaka, fattimand, cookies, fruit cake, meatballs, etc. Always had to have lots on hand as all the relatives visited at the others' homes, we had such fun visiting them all. When I was small, we sat on the floor while papa lit the candles on the tree. Connie Rosenthal had a sleigh, "cutter," and took us for rides. We looked forward to visits to Hexoms: aunt Emma often served more than one table setting and children sat on stairs holding their plates, often creamed chicken. With no indoor plumbing there always was a catalog to look at in the outhouse. There were no electric lights until the late 30’s so oil lamps were used. Papa also loved going to the Hexom farm in the summer to watch the threshing.

Summer Memories--the Johnson farm where George, Charles, Emma, Lillie, Anna, Esther, Bill, and Arthur grew up; some of the family stayed after grandma and grandpa moved to town: Arthur and first wife Vivian, Stanley Ask, Esther, and LuVerne. Gordon as a teenager thought he’d like to work on the farm to earn a little money. This was short lived as he fell down the hay shoot and broke his leg. I remember playing with LuVerne in colored sand on the hill. The Johnson farm stayed several years in the family as Arthur and Florence bought it later. It was recently sold and the new owners are Johnson’s too, but not relatives.

Lillie and Walter Williams had a pretty acreage in the valley in Glenwood. I enjoyed playing in the little stream bordering their lawn. Lillie ran the telephone switchboard--she is remembered for all the lovely flowers that she grew from seed saved from year to year. When Papa got lonely for the country, we'd drive out and have afternoon coffee!

Connie and Anna had that lovely big home down on the flat (as we called the area). She was such a good cook and we went fairly often for dinner. Art and Bill are fondly remembered by us all. When Arthur lived in town he would often pop in and have coffee. Uncle Bill played a lot of golf in earlier years, but enjoyed more time with family in later years and we saw Mabel and him more often. I looked forward to the 5 pound box of chocolates he brought every Christmas.

George was in a fatal saw mill accident which occurred after his graduation from Iowa State when he had been married only a few months . . . a sad time. I must not forget the talented musicians in the Johnson family: Grandpa Gustave, my father Charles, and cousin Frederick sang in choruses, both Luren and Gauken (in Glenwood). Walter played violin in the school orchestra and Lillie played the piano. We rolled up the rug at Hexoms and Walter and his brother played their fiddles as Lillie played on the piano. What fun! While it's easy for my generation to talk of the immorality of today, there always has been a time that babies came in 7 months. But couples NEVER lived together unmarried!

I know Gustave and Henrietta Johnson would be surprised to know their family of eight children has grown to over 90 . . . and what a fine bunch it is!

Johnson Family Reunion (1999)

Johnson family reunion (Decorah, IA: 1999). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.


Johnson family reunion identification key.

1. Jonathon Kramer > Mary (Miller) Kramer > Helen (Johnson) Miller > Charles
2. Lee Miller > Helen (Johnson) Miller > Charles
3. Steven Johnson > Walter Johnson > Charles
4. Bruce Johnson > Walter Johnson > Charles
5. Steven Johnson, Jr. > Steven Johnson > Walter Johnson > Charles
6. Michael Dougherty
7. Gregory Schmidt
8. Leif Schmidt
9. Frank Grundmeier
10. Steve Paullus
11. Benjamin Miller
12. Anne Paullus
13. Chris Johnson
14. Mark Johnson
15. Judy Johnson (Bruce)
16. Alyson Johnson
17. Nick Svendsen
18. Phil Johnson
19. Brenda Svendsen (Eric)
20. Eric Svendsen
21. Steven Svendsen
22. Eric Basler
23. Brian Basler
24. Cathy Basler
25. Mary Kramer
26. Marsha Johnson (Steve)
27. Andrea Johnson
28. Harriet Dougherty
29. Jane Grundmeier
30. Julie Johnson (Phil)
31. Shelby Svendsen (Steve)
32. Dorothy Rosenthal
33. Ellyn Seifried
34. Hayley Basler
35. Esther (Hexom) Hill
36. Becky Miller (Ed)
37. Helen (Hexom) Basler
38. Wally Johnson
39. Karen Schmidt
40. LuVerne Blanc
41. Vincent Williams > Lillie (Johnson) Williams
42. Mary Lou Johnson (Leslie)
43. Walter Seifried
44. Leslie Johnson
45. Ed Miller
46. Ed Basler
47. Cathi Basler
48. Florence Johnson
49. Kay Rosenthal
50. Yale Kramer
51. Jean (Johnson) Vitale
52. Kirsten Schmidt
53. David Parker
54. Mark Svendsen
55. Helen (Johnson) Miller
56. Daryl Wilmeth
57. Gwen Wilmeth
58. Amber Wilmeth
59. Candice Wilmeth
60. Ben Svendsen
61. Adam Svendsen
62. Cameron Wilmeth
63. LaChelle Wilmeth
64. Christopher Svendsen
65. Verla Williams (Vincent)
66. BrandiAnne Daub
67. Jené (Williams) Daub > Vincent Williams > Lillie (Johnson) Williams