A transcription of pages 195-469,
Family Histories from the Verdigre Centennial Book
Thanks to the Verdigre Library and its volunteers for making this available.
 
The index below only includes the husband and wife for each family.
The maiden name for the wife is used if listed.
For other names, use the search on the Home Page.

Index's A-I, J-P, & Q-Z

CARL AND HELMA [THELANDER] JOHNSON

Carl Johnson was born in Holland, Sweden, July 26, 1851. As an adult in Sweden he was a chauffeur for special occasions, weddings, and funerals. The horses had to be black and he had to be dressed in black with a black top hat.

Carl came to America in 1882 at the age of 31. He first located in New Mexico where he stayed for a brief time. He then went to Colorado where he lived for a year and then came to Nebraska. He worked on the Jackson Ranch which was close to Devil’s Nest, as it is known now. He walked from that area to his homestead in western Knox County.

[pg 291 PHOTOS Carl Johnson…..Hilma Johnson]

He applied for his homestead on February 18, 1889. His homestead is described as: the North Half of the Southwest Quarter and the Southwest Quarter of the Southwest Quarter of Section 29 in Township 31 of Range 8, containing 120 acres.

Carl married Helma Ward Thelander in July of 1890 at Niobrara, Nebraska. Helma was born in Ostergotland, Sweden, on October 27, 1860. Helma came to Chicago, Illinois, from Sweden and she married Alfred Thelander. To this union two children were born, Anna and Albert. Mr. Thelander died of typhoid fever when they lived in Illinois.

In 1889 Helma and her two children came to Nebraska where her brothers, Charles and Peter Ward, lived. Helma, Anna, and Albert lived with Helma’s brother, Charles Ward, near Walnut on the place now owned by Philip Rudloff. They lived there until Helma married Carl Johnson in July of 1890. Carl and Helma moved to their home place in western Knox County after their marriage.

To this union four sons were born, namely: Guy in 1891, Harry in 1892, David in 1894, and Bruce in 1897. They were all four born on the home place which adjoined the homestead. Mrs. Dixson was the mid-wife for all four sons.

Guy married Hazel Brady in 1921. Marcella and Geraldine are their children.

Harry married Fay Brady in 1926. Hazel Marie is their child.

David married Thelma Vonasek in 1921. Their four children are Irene, Lysle, Marvin, and Howard.

Bruce married Clara Miller in 1922. Walter, Clayton, and Claryce are their three children.

Anna Thelander married Roy Harvey. They had two daughters, Frances and Mildred.

Albert Thelander married Ruth Dixson. Their children wee Keith, Ruby, and Charles.

Carl Johnson was baptized in the Lutheran Church and later confirmed in the same church in Sweden. After coming to America, he attended various churches.

Helma was confirmed in the Lutheran Church when she was 15. She later united with the Methodist Church.

Carl and Helma lived on the home place until their deaths. Helma died May 3, 1925. Carl died September 26, 1928. Both funerals were held at their home and their burials were at the Star Cemetery, northwest of their home.

Pages 290, 291