Lena Johnson Schlichtemeier's
History of Swan Johnson Family
of Nance County, Nebraska (January 1936)
William Johnson
[ Cover page ] [ Preface
] Mr.
and Mrs. Swan Johnson and Their Descendants Mrs.
Kjerstin Johnson, nee Vesterson Swan
Johnson Children
of Mr. and Mrs. Swan Johnson Thilda
Johnson [ Children
of Thilda Johnson ] Peter
R. Johnson John
Johnson Nels
Johnson [ Children
of Nels Johnson ] Ida
Johnson Eric
Johnson William Johnson
Victor
O. Johnson Ellen
Johnson Oscar
Johnson Minnie
E. Johnson Mary
Johnson [ Billy
Johnson dies at 88 ] |
WILLIAM JOHNSON, seventh in the line of children of Swan and Kjerstin Johnson, was born in Chicago, Illinois, on January 30, 1870. He followed the family first to Bement, Illinois, then to Genoa, Nebraska. He grew up on the farm one and one-half miles west of Genoa. After his father's death he managed the farm until about the age of 26, at which time the family moved into Genoa where he associated with his brothers Peter and Eric who were already established in the mercantile business. He enlisted with the First Nebraska Volunteers for the Spanish American War June 20, 1898. He served in the Philippines. Harry Coil, Lue Gable, and John Gardner were other Genoa boys who went in the same regiment, while his brother, Victor, went as Lieutenant to W. J. Bryan to Cuba. Will was discharged March 15, 1899, his services no 1onger being required, and he returned to Genoa and again entered the Johnson Brothers general store. Will married Lottle L. Smith on November 29, 1900. They left Genoa September 3, 1907, for Portland, Oregon, and moved to Eugene in May 1908. In 1910 he associated with E. L. Dorr in the furniture business, bought Dorr's interest in 1920, continuing to operate in the same location. Four children were born to Will and Lottie Johnson: Cecile Lucille, Victor Edwin, William W. and Dorothy Louise. Cecile Lucile was born October 17, 1901, at Genoa, Nebraska, and married Stanley P. Summers on August 22, 1925. They now live at Eugene, Oregon. Three children were born to this union -- Larcia Louis on July 20, 1927; Mary Joanne on November, 10, 1928, and Stanley Robert, Jr. on June 1, 1931. Victor Edwin was born December 23, 1903, at Genoa, Nebraska, and married Nellie Fennell on February 28, 1936. He became associated with his parents in the furniture business at Eugene, Oregcn. At a later date Edwin became Mayor of Eugene and has been interested in politics. William W. was born December 10, 1907 in Portland, Oregon, and died October 12, 1908, at Eugene. Dorothy Louise was born June 7, 1913, in Eugene, and died July 5, 1926. She was a very lovable girl. The following obituary appeared in one of the Eugene newspapers:
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