Johnson, Peter & Mary (Nelson)

JOHNSON, NELSON

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/7/2012 at 12:47:40

LARS PETER JENSEN

Peter Johnson (1856-1920)
Mary Nelson Johnson (1858-1927)

Peter, born in 1856, came to the United States in 1877 and returned after one year for his fiancé, Mary Nelson. They were married March 31, 1879, and pioneered, living in a log cabin. They years were happy and very busy. By the year 1890, their home had been blessed with nine children, and except for the accidental death of an 8 month old daughter, Maggie, life had been very good.

Then came tragedy! In thirteen days, seven children died of diptheria, with only the infant, Martin, surviving. Everyone so feared the disease, and though in dire need of help, only Mary Clemmenson dared to come into the home, having recently been immunized.

Since there was a lack of modern communication, a signal of death had been pre-arranged. As each child died, Peter mounted his gray horse and rode the ridge above the house. To some of the neighbors, this meant a coffin to be made; to others, a grave to be dug.

On Uncle Nels’ farm near by, a new barn had been built and part of this became the material for the seven “boxes” that he and Uncle J. Carl Jensen and John Mann prepared.

Each time a coffin, some with paint still wet, was passed through a window to the bearers, the mother Mary sang a hymn which characterized her strong Christian faith. Only once did she falter. She couldn’t sing for the seventh child that was claimed. All were buried at Ingemann Cemetery with a common marker.

But life went on—“The Lord gave, and the Lord took away”—but the Lord gave again. Martin, the only child spared, was joined by three brothers and two sisters.

John P. Johnson just passed away in April of this year 1993. The youngest of the children.

~Source: Moorhead 1993 publication