Johnson, Meint 1850-1928 & Mary Jane Engle Family

JOHNSON, JANSSEN, ENGLE, MEINERS, DOWNEN

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 7/27/2023 at 21:45:49

Johnson, Meint ‘Mike’ 1850-1928 & Mary Jane Engle Family

This story was taken from page 410 of the Ireton Centennial Book (1882-1982). Author unknown. The story was transcribed for this BIOS by Beth De Leeuw of the Greater Sioux County Genealogical Society. Some research notes were added by Wilma J. Vande Berg.

Meint Harms Janssen, second son of Harm M. and Gebke (Meiners) Janssen was born Apr. 13, 1850, in Felde Aurich Germany, where his father was a “master shoemaker.” As a youth he came to America with his parents, his sister Maria, and brother Dick, and they settled in the Mt. Olive, Il. area, where they began farming.

Mary Jane Engle was a native of Harvel, Il., having been born near there to Mary Ellen (Eilts) and David Engle on Nov. 11, 1861. Here in IL, Meint and Mary Jane were married in 1879, and their four oldest children were born: Herman, Alice (Mrs. E.J.) Eilts, Anna (Mrs. Henry) Vlotho, and Etta (Mrs. Ed) Gehner.

In the spring of 1887 Meint “Mike”, Mary Jane, and their four children, together with his parents who settled in nearby Plymouth Co., moved by train to Sioux Co., Ia. They lived on a farm in Sec. 16, Washington Twp, now occupied by the Gordon Van Wyhe family. The area was nearly treeless, and that spring the wind blew so long and so hard that it was nearly impossible to carry hay to the horses, making them wonder why they had ever come to such a place. Three sons, George, John, and Edward were born here, and during this period the family name was legally changed to Johnson.

In 1892 they bought a farm in Sec. 29, Center Twp. north of Ireton. The orchard plantings on this farm were supervised by Colonel Gurney, the founder of Gurney Seed and Nursery Company of Yankton, S.D. In that roomy house their sons Fred, Dave, and Elmer (also called Mike), and two daughters, Rose (Mrs. John Moeller), and Marie, who died in infancy, were born. Their son George died here at the age of five, as a result of a run away with a horse during threshing.

“Mike” and Mary J. retired to a house on the west side of Ireton in 1911, where they had interests in an oil station run by their son, Mike, and in a garage and Ford car agency, run by their son, John. For a time, sons Herman, Fred, Ed, and Dave farmed the “homeplace” and eventually Fred bought it and made it his family home. It is presently the home of the Roland Johnson family.

Meint passed away just 2 days after his 78 th birthday in 1928 and Mary Jane died on Apr. 14, 1935. Both were laid to rest in the Lutheran section of Pleasant Hill Cemetery just south of Ireton.

FAMILY RESEARCH NOTES: Added by Wilma J. Vande Berg From a family report on ancestry.com public member trees submitted by others. Children’s info mainly came from published obits and data from ancestry.com.

Meint Harm Janssen (Later Johnson) was born 13 Apr 1850 Felde Aurich, Ostriesland Germany and died 15 Apr 1928 Ireton IA. His parents were Harm Meint Janssen 1823-1889 and Gebke Meiners 1823-1906. He married Mary Jane ‘Jennie’ Engle 9 Jan 1879 Harvel Christian IL.

Mary Jane ‘Jennie’ Engle was born 11 Nov 1860 Harvel IL and died 1935 Ireton IA. Her parents were Michael J. Engle 1825-1897 and Rebecca Downen 1828-1893. They had 12 children, two having died young.

CHILDREN :

1. Herman Heinreich Johnson born 16 Feb 1880 Harvel, IL died 6 Mar 1950 Ireton IA. Hawarden Independent, Hawarden, Sioux, Iowa, USA March 16, 1950 Johnson rites Held Last Friday at Ireton. Ireton, Iowa - Funeral services for Herman H. Johnson, 70, who succumbed after suffering a heart attack on Tuesday (March 7, 1950) of last week, were held at the Satterlee Funeral home at 2 o’clock last Friday afternoon with Rev. H. W. Krieger in charge. Mrs. Delbert Dittmer and Mrs. Walter Struck with Mrs. Orville Mueller as accompanist sang “One Sweetly Solemn Thought.” burial was in Ireton. Herman Johnson, the oldest of 11 children of Mr. and Mrs. Meint Johnson, was born February 16, 1880, at Nokomis, Illinois. In 1914 he married Dorothy Knutson and to this union 7 children were born. One child Loren Edward, preceded him in death. Mr. Johnson spent most of his life farming but after he came to Ireton in 1938 he was employed on the county roads for a number of years. Survivors include the widow: three sons, John H. of Hayward, California, Herbert H. of St. Paul, Minnesota and Duane M. who is in the service stationed in Munich, Germany; three daughters, Mrs. Hanna M. Stenbak of Tacoma, Washington, Mrs. Beulah M. Baker of Ireton and Mrs. Doris J. Wilken of Chatsworth; three sisters and five brothers, Dave Johnson and Mrs. Etta Gehner of Hawarden, Mrs. John Miller and Mrs. Anna Vlotho and Ed and Fred Johnson of Ireton, Elmer of Los Angeles, California, and John of Parker, South Dakota and 8 grandchildren.

2. Marie Alice Mary Johnson born 23 Sep 1881 Harvel IL died 5 May 1935 Hawarden IA. Husband Eilts J. Eilts . Hawarden Independent, Hawarden, Sioux, Iowa, USA Thursday, May 9, 1935 Death Follows Long Illness. Mrs. E. J. Eilts Passed Away Sunday Evening This Community 23 Years -- Leave Husband and Three Children Mrs. E. J. Eilts, a long time resident of this community, passed away at her home southeast of Hawarden at 8 o’clock Sunday evening, following a lingering illness. A year ago last August she suffered a stroke from which she never fully recovered although accorded the best of care that human hands could provide. Her condition had been critical for some time and her death was not unexpected. Funeral services were held at home at 2 o’clock and at Trinity Lutheran church in this city at 2:30 Wednesday afternoon with the pastor, Rev. George Steinkamp, in charge. Interment was made in Grace Hill cemetery. Marie Alice Johnson was born September 23, 1881, at Harvel, Illinois, and departed this life May 5, 1935, at the age of 53 years, 7 months and 12 days. She was baptized soon after her birth and at the age of 6 yeas came with her parents to Ireton where on March 29, 1896, she was confirmed in St. Paul’s Lutheran church. For the past sixteen years she had been a faithful member of Trinity Lutheran church in Hawarden. On March 15, 1905, she was united in marriage with E. J. Eilts. This union was blessed with three children, all of whom with the husband are left to mourn the departure of a faithful wife and good mother. The children are Lawrence Eilts, Mrs. Harry Bultman, and Miss Mary Eilts , all of this community. Her father Meint Johnson, preceded her in death on April 14, 1928, and her mother was taken to her eternal reward only a few weeks ago on April 15th of this year. When first married Mr. and Mrs. Eilts lived for a time on a farm northeast of Ireton, but twenty-three years ago moved to the Hawarden vicinity. For the past seventeen years they have resided on their farm, three miles southeast of Hawarden. Besides her husband and children, she is survived by five brothers and three sisters, Herman Johnson of New England, North Dakota; Edward, Fred and David Johnson and Mrs. John Moeller and Mrs. Henry Vlotho, all of Ireton. Five little boys are also sadden by the loss of a devoted grandmother. In addition Mrs. Eilts will be sorely missed by a wide circle of neighbors and friends who knew and loved her for her true Christian traits of character and womanly qualities.

3. Anna Margaret Johnson born 20 Dec 1883 Haarvel, IL died 27 Oct 1964 Alameda CA. Find A Grave lists Anna Margaret Johnson Vlotho as born 20 Dec 1883 Harvel IL died 27 Oct 1964 San Leerdro, Alameda Co. CA buried in Pleasant Hill Ireton IA. Husband Henry August Vlotho. children listed were Emery Edward Vlotho and Orville C. Vlotho. From a family report on ancestry.com there were three children listed – Orville Vlotho 1910-1984, Emery Vlotho 1913-1967, and Amilda Vlotho 1916-2007.

4. Etta Martha Johnson born abt 1886 IL died 19 Aug 1970 Chippewa MN. Married 22 Oct 1913 Ireton IA to Edward Herman Gehner Sioux Center News, August 27, 1970 Mrs. Etta Gehner Funeral services were held at St. Paul’s Lutheran church at Ireton at 3 p.m. August 21 for Mrs. Etta Gehner, 88, formerly of Ireton, who died August 19, at a nursing home near Raymond, Minnesota. Burial was made in Pleasant View cemetery at Ireton. Mrs. Gehner, the former Etta Johnson, moved to Minnesota following the death of her husband a number of years ago. Survivors include a son and daughter in California, one grandchild, three brothers, Ed and Fred Johnson, both of Ireton, and Elmer of California, a sister, Mrs. John Moeller, of Ireton.

5. George F. Johnson born 1888 Ireton IA died Sep 1893 Ireton IA. Buried Pleasant Hill Ireton.
Sioux County Herald of Sep 13th 1893. Ireton Clipper: A six year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Mint Johnson of Center township, met his death in a sad peculiar manner yesterday afternoon. This father owns an old horse which the boy has been in the habit of riding about at will. Yesterday he saddled up the horse and was seen about four o’clock riding around the farm.. Not returning in the evening, search was commenced for him and between nine and ten he was found dead, his body lying under the horse in the ditch. He had evidently been either going to cross the ditch or else was riding along beside it when the hose stumbled and fell, the boy falling into the ditch and the horse upon him. The parents have the sympathy of the entire community in their sad and sudden bereavement.

6. John R. Johnson born Mar 17, 1890 Ireton, IA died 12 Dec 1963 San Mateo, CA Find A Grave lists John R. Johnson born 17 Mar 1890 Ireton IA died 12 Dec 1963 South San Francisco SanMateo CA Wife was Fern Ester Vande Hamm Johnson. From the Thursday, December 19, 1963 Hawarden Independent: Funeral services for John R. Johnson, 73, brother of Dave Johnson and a former Ireton resident who died at his home at 400 Wildwood Drive in South San Francisco Thursday, December 12, following a long illness due to a heart condition, were held Monday at 2 o'clock at Eleanino chapel in San Bruno, Calif. Rev. Payton of the First Presbyterian church officiated with burial in Cypress Memorial cemetery. Casket bearers were Kenneth Buck, Melvin Gandy, Robert Cullen, George Stoffer, Howard King and Glen Queen. Mr. Johnson was born at Ireton March 17, 1890, and was raised in that vicinity. He was a mechanic by trade, retiring a few years ago because of ill health.
Survivors include the widow, Fern; a daughter, Mrs. Arlene Campbell of Millbrae, Calif.; a brother at Santa Monica, Calif., and several brothers and sisters in the Ireton area, including Ed and Fred Johnson and Mrs. John Moeller; and Mrs. Anna Vlotho, who winters in California, and another brother, Dave Johnson, of Hawarden.

7. Fred Onno Johnson born abt 1894 IA died 19 Feb 1980 Ireton IA Find A Grave lists Fredreick Onno Johnson born 5 Jan 1894 Ireton IA died 19 Feb 1980 Ireton IA. His wife was Elizabeth Moeller. Feb 28,1980 Hawarden Independent Fred 0. Johnson, 86, of Ireton, died Tuesday, Feb. 19 in a hospital at Hawarden. Services were at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ireton. The Rev. Paul Sieveking officiated. Burial was in Pleasant Hill Cemetery. There was a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the Dow Funeral Home at Ireton.
Mr. Johnson was born Jan. 5, 1894, at Ireton. He married Elizabeth Moeller Feb. 14, 1917, at Rock Valley. They farmed in the Rock Valley area for a number of years before moving to the Ireton area. He retired in 1961 and moved into Ireton. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church and had been a resident of the Hillcrest Care Center in Hawarden for the last three years. Survivors include the widow; one son, Roland of Ireton; two daughters, Mrs. Willis (Lorraine) Wells of Ireton and Mrs. Clarence (Phyllis) Heuer of Hawarden; one sister, Mrs. John (Rose) Moeller of Ireton; one brother, Elmer of Huntington Park, Calif; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

8.. David A. Johnson born 4 Mar 1896 Ireton IA died 6 Jun 1964 Hawarden IA. His wife was Hattie Matilda Schlumbohm. Hawarden Independent, Hawarden, Sioux, Iowa, USA Thursday, June 11, 1964 Dave Johnson Succumbs After a Long Illness
Funeral services for Dave A. Johnson, 68, who died at the Veterans hospital in Iowa City last Saturday morning (June 6, 1964) following a long illness during which time he was also hospitalized in Sioux Falls, were held in Trinity Lutheran church here Tuesday afternoon, June 9, with Rev. O. F. Pittack conducting the service. Miss Janet Heuer at the organ and the church choir singing “Asleep in Jesus” and “I’m but a Stranger Here”. Interment was made in Grace Hill cemetery with the Barnard Funeral home in charge and the Two Oakes post of the American Legion conducting the military rites. Casket bearers were Walter Westergard, Elmer Johnson, Floyd Green, Fred Dawson, John Harmelink and Harry Bultman. Honorary pall bearers were members of the Last Man’s club. David August Johnson, son of Meint Johnson and wife, Mary, was born on March 4, 1896, northeast of Ireton. He lived on a farm with his parents until 1918 when he entered the military service of his country until his honorable discharge in 1919, having served overseas, mostly in France, during World War I. On December 23, 1919, he was united in marriage with Hattie Schlumbohm at Peace Lutheran church of Sioux Center, Iowa, Rev. E. H. Gilman performing the ceremony. At that time he also transferred his church membership to that congregation from St. Paul’s Lutheran church of Ireton where he had been baptized and confirmed. During the next 20 years he was engaged in farming in Garfield township, southwest of Rock Valley. In 1939 he retired to Hawarden, where be became a member of he local congregation. He was also a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Saddle club and the Last Man’s club. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Herman, John and George, who died at age six and two sisters Alice Eilts and a sister who died in infancy. Survivors include the widow, Hattie; a daughter, Mrs. Edward (Inez) Treiber of Hudson; two grandchildren, Dennis and Glenda; one great-granddaughter, Kristen Treiber; three brothers, Ed and Fred of Ireton, Elmer of Santa Monica, California; three sisters, Anna Vlotho and Mrs. John Moeller of Ireton and Etta Gehner of Maynard, Minnesota.

9. Edward C. Johnson born 15 Jan 1892 Ireton IA died 20 Aug 1973 Alcester SD Wife was Matida Moeller. 1895-1965
Funeral services will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church at Ireton at 1:30 P.M., Friday, August 24 for Edward C. Johnson, 81, of Ireton, who died at his farm home near Alcester, S.D., August 20 following a heart attack. Services will be conducted by the Rev. Arthur Anacker and burial will be in Pleasant Hill Cemetery at Ireton. Mr. Johnson was born January 15, 1892, on a farm near Ireton. He married Matilda Moeller, November 21, 1917 at Ireton. She died August 30, 1965. Mr. Johnson farmed in the Alcester area (obit says lreton). Survivors include a sister, Mrs. John (Rose) Moeller of Ireton; and two brothers, Fred of Ireton and Mike of California. Parents: Mike Johnson & Mary Engel from the IA 1925 Census Record. Source: Sioux Center News, August 23, 1973 Source: Hawarden Independent August 23, 1973

  10. Rosie M. Johnson born born 18 May 1898 Ireton IA died 24 Apr 1981 Ireton IA Husband John Moeller. Mrs John Moeller, 82. of Ireton. died Friday. (April 24, 1981) at Floyd Valley hospital at Le Mars Services will be at 1:30 pm Wednesday in St Paul Lutheran church at Ireton Rev. Paul Sieveking will officiate Burial will be in Pleasant Hill cemetery, 7pm Tuesday in the Dow Funeral home at Ireton. Mrs Moeller, the former Rose May Johnson, was born May 18, 1898, at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the dow Funeral home at Ireton. Mrs. Moeller, the former Rose May Johnson was born Mary 18, 1896 at Ireton and was a lifelong area resident. She was married Jan 7, 1920 at Ireton. Mr. Moeller died Nov 24, 1965. She was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Chruch. Survivors are one daughter Mrs. John Marjorie Conover of Le Mars, one son Kenneth of San Jose CA three grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

11. Herbert ‘Elmer’ Johnson born 28 Mar 1901 Center Twp Sioux County IA died 26 Mar 1980 Los Angeles CA. Find A Grave lists Elmer Herbert Johnson born 28 Mar 1901 Sioux County IA died 26 Mar 1980 Los Angeles CA wife was Vera Christine Weimer

12. Mary Martha Johnson born 17 Sep 1906 Ireton IA died 26 Sep 1906 Ireton IA.

OBITUARY of Meint Johnson 1850-1928
The Ireton Ledger, Ireton, Sioux, Iowa, USA Thursday, April 19, 1928
M. Johnson Ireton Pioneer Called. Meint Johnson, Old time Ireton Resident Passes Away At His Home At The Age of 78. The angel of death has again entered the Ireton home, and has taken an old time resident, Meint Johnson. He was a familiar character on the streets of Ireton, and only his recent illness compelled him to remain at home. Meint. H. Johnson, son of Harm M. Johnson and Gebke D nee Meiners, was born at Felde, Amt Aurich, Ostfriesland, Germany, April 13, 1850, and died at Ireton, Iowa, on April 15, 1928, at the age of 78 years and 2 days. In 1856 when Meint was 6 years old, the family came to American and settled at Mt. Olive. Illinois. There he received his schooling, and was confirmed in the Lutheran faith. When he was a young man the family moved to Harvel, Illinois. There, in 1879, he was married to Mary Jane Engle of Harvel. Their marriage was blessed with twelve children, two of which preceded the father into eternity; George, at age 6, and Martha as an infant. After ten year’s residence at Harvel, Illinois, the family came to Iowa, in 1889, and rented a farm southwest of Ireton. Four years later, the deceased purchased a farm north of Ireton, and the family made it their home for 18 years. In 1911, the parents and younger children came to Ireton, and established the home in which the deceased spent the remainder of his life, 17 years being added. For some time he had been in failing health, but always managed to be about until two months ago. About ten days ago, a severe gall bladder infection set in. It was thought that an operation would be fatal. Life waged it’s battle but gradually ebbed out. The final summons came Sunday evening.

OBITUARY OF MARY JANE JOHNSON
The Ireton Ledger, Ireton, Sioux, Iowa, USA Thursday, April 18, 1935
Mrs. Johnson Rites Attended by Big Crowd
This community was saddened Sunday, when another old time resident, Mrs. Meint Johnson, passed away at her home about 12 o’clock after an illness of two days.
Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at 1:30 from the home and 2:00 at the St. Paul’s Lutheran church with Rev. Krieger in charge. The church was filled with sorrowing friends who paid their respects to the departed. The remains were laid to rest in the Lutheran cemetery in the family plot.
Mary Jane Engle was born at Harvel, Illinois, November 11, 1860. She grew to young womanhood in that community, and in 1879 was united in marriage to Meint H. Johnson, who preceded her in death seven years ago. This union was blessed with twelve children, two of which preceded the parents in death.
Moved Here in 1911. In 1889 they moved to Iowa, on a farm in Washington township. Four years later they purchased a farm in Center township and for eighteen years this was their home. In 1911 they purchased the residence in Ireton which has since been her home.
Many children Survive The children who mourn the death of their mother are: Herman of New England, North Dakota, Mrs. Eilt Eilts, Hawarden, Mrs. Henry Vlotho, Ireton, Mrs. Ed Gehner, Maynard, Minnesota, John of Rapid City, South Dakota and Fred, Dave, Mrs. John Moeller of Ireton and Elmer of Mankato, Minnesota, besides many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, also one sister, Mrs. D. H. Husman of Seiling, Oklahoma and half brothers living in Illinois.

This picture was taken from page 410 of the Ireton Centennial Book 1882-1982

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