Although Charles G. Johnson and his wife, Christina, died young by today's standards --- in their mid-40s at the turn of the 20th Century --- they left a rich legacy in children, nine of them, all of whom survived to become adults. Their descendants have formed over the years a notable chunk of Lucas County's population.
The Johnson graves, which appear to be the only ones on this large lot, are marked by a substantial white marble tombstone topped by a giant ball balanced in a saddle. Although the ball shows no sign of breaking loose, I thought carefully for a minute earlier this week before sitting myself down on the stone's base to take a photo of the Schreck tombstone just behind it. It's not something you'd want to come crashing down on you.
The eldest of their sons was my great-uncle, Carl August Johnson (who married Minnie D. Myers), and it was he who raised his younger siblings with assistance from the older girls after their parents died in quick succession. The other children were Anna, Emma, Ida, Minnie, John Arthur, Harry, Eva and Henry.
To reach the Johnson farm from Salem, drive south two and a half miles across the Chariton River on the New York Road, then turn right (west) onto the road out to Highway 14 that takes a quick dip into the Wolf Creek valley before cresting the hill by crossing a vintage Union Pacific arched wooden overpass that allows no view of oncoming traffic at all. After driving a mile and a quarter west on this road, turn left (south) down a dirt road (providing it hasn't rained recently) for three quarters of a mile, then right (west) a quarter of a mile. This farm was owned later by members of the Sellers family.
The Johnsons, both natives of Sweden, were members of the Otterbein United Brethren in Christ, whose final building was located before its move to the Lucas County Historical Society Museum grounds in Chariton, a mile west and a mile north of their home, on the west side of what now is Highway 14.
The Johnson home was at the base of a hill, looking out south across the Wolf Creek valley and when they first settled there their nearest neighbors were John G. and Isabelle Redlingshafer, my great-great-grandparents, who at that time lived in a cabin they had built in 1856 deep in their fields near a spring above the Johnson farm. So there was a good deal of neighboring during those early years, before the Redlingshafers built a new house out north closer to the road, between the two families. Aunt Minnie and Uncle Carl's first home was on 80 of his parents' acres located across Wolf Creek southeast of the homestead.
Charles's inscription (top) is on the west face and Christina's, on the north. Smaller headstones that once marked the individual graves inscribed "Father" and "Mother" have been moved agains the principal stone.
July 19, 1851
July 28, 1897
Dearest husband thou hast left me
And my heart is sad tonight
Oh! that I again could see you
And my dreams would be so bright
Father dear thou hast left us
And with thee our joys have fled
Oh! tis hard to think our father
good and kind and true is dead
CHRISTENA
JOHNSON
July 13, 1856
Jan. 14, 1900
OBITUARY: CHARLES G. JOHNSON
Chariton Herald-Patriot, 5 August 1897
Charles G. Johnson of Benton township departed this life at the age of 40 years on Wednesday July 28, 1897. He was a native of Sweden and emigrated to the United Staes in 1869. After a sojourn of three years in Illinois he settled in Benton township on the farm where he died. He was married to Christina Johnson on Nov. 25, 1873, and nine children were born them, all of whom with the wife survive him.
Mr. Johnson had been a painful sufferer for about a year, but he maintained a cheerful, happy spirit of resignation throughout and died in great peace. He was a man of christian integrity which shone in the church, in society and in his home life.
The funeral was from the home and was largely attended by the neighborhood. The remains were interred in Salem Cemetery. The family have the sympathy of the church and a large circle of friends.
Rev. W. Cunningham of the United Brethren church conducted the funeral services. Those whose hearts are weighed down with grief in this sad hour may have the cheerful reflection that the dear husband and father was prepared to meet his maker and that he could say in truth, "It is well with my soul."
Chariton Patriot, 18 January 1900
Died, at her home in Benton township, on Sunday, Jan. 14, 1900, Mrs. Christina Johnson. Funeral services were held from the home, Tuesday, at 10 o'clock a.m. conducted by the Rev. Cunningham, pastor of the U.B. church, of which she has been a faithful member since 1878. The remains were buried in the Salem cemetery beside those of her husband Charles G. Johnson, who preceded her about two
and one-half years ago.
Christina Johnson was born in Sweden July 13, 1856. She came with her parents to America in 1869. She was married to Charles G. Johnson, Nov. 28, 1873. Nine children were born to them, all of whom survive them. She had been sick for about one month with brain trouble, which culminated in her death. The sympathy of the entire community goes out to the lonely children, who are now left without the kind, loving care, council and protection of a father and mother.
The surviving children of Mrs. Christina Johnson, through the Chariton Patriot, desire to express their gratitude to all the neighbors and friends for their help and sympathy during the sickness and death of their mother.
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