THE JOHNSONS HOLD REUNION
Mills County Tribune
May 27, 1920
Home of Mr. and Mrs. M.H. Goehring Scene of Family Gathering Not Duplicated Within the Past 45 Year.
At the pleasant farm home of Mr. and Mrs. M.H. Goehring south of Glenwood on last Sunday there gathered a happy assemblage. The occasion was a reunion of the Mr. and Mrs. A.F. Johnson family. They had come from three states to be present on this occasion. Only one vacant place in that happy company, that of Thomas Johnson of Onawa, who was unable to be present.
It has been forty-five years since as many of the Johnson family had met together. Verily, those two score of old and young spent a happy time on that Sabbath day. We doubt not that many an incident of the 45 years was related to the younger generation. Mayhap some traditions of the family were told and thus the younger members were impressed with an honorable family history. Peradventure there were songs given in a spirit meet to the occasion by those boys and girls now the heads of families.
The skilled hands of the women folk had prepared a feast that would discount many a king's table, and those viands were such as to bring a long remembered joy to the inner man.
Those present to enjoy the reunion were L.N. Johnson and son of Ashland, Neb.; Mrs. Talitha Stevenson, Mrs. Anna Smith and the latter's little daughter of Fresno, Calif.; Chas. Johnson and family, McPaul; L.L. Johnson and H.A. Johnson and families, Thurman; C.H. Harris, V.E. Harris, George Potter and their families, Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Conner and Mrs. Wayne Buckingham, all of Bartlett; Mr. and Mrs. Verne Johnson, Sidney; Mr. and Mrs. A.F. Johnson, G.K. and E.G. Johnson and families and M.H. Goehring and family of Glenwood.
JOHNSON FAMILY REUNION SUNDAY
Glenwood Opinion Tribune
August 8, 1927
The seventh annual reunion of the Johnson-Halloway families, prominent long time residents of Fremont and Mills Counties was held at the Lake park here Sunday. Eighty-five persons were present many coming from northern Iowa and Nebraska. A sumptuous basket dinner was enjoyed at noon and many remained to enjoy the picnic supper together. Old friendships were renewed by uncles, aunts and cousins on this occasion. One member of the group remarked "I met a cousin who I had not seen for thirty years."
JOHNSON-REAFLENG REUNION HELD SUNDAY
Glenwood Opinion Tribune
September 1, 1938
The annual Reafleng-Johnson reunion was held on Sunday, August 28th at the park in Pacific Junction. This was the 13th annual reunion of descendants of Henry and Estalina Reafleng and the second reunion of the descendants of Benjamin and Bessie Johnson.
Some 53 members of these families gathered on this occasion and spent a most enjoyable day. Officers elected for the coming year were: Josie Reafleng, president; Lawrence Johnson, vice-president; Lela Winters, secretary and Carrie Johnson, treasurer.
The oldest member of the Reafleng family present was John Mackey and the youngest was Nancy Wright. The oldest member of the Johnson family was "Grandma" Johnson and the youngest Dale Johnson.
Guests on this occasion were Catherine Fleming of Shenandoah and Darrell Yates of Glenwood. Those who were privileged to have all of the members of their family present were John Mackey, Herman Reafleng, Orville Good, Lawrence Johnson, Lonnie Ross, John Bantrup and Willard Wright.
It was voted to hold the reunion next year at the Waubonsie state park near Hamburg, the meeting to be on the last Sunday in August, 1939.
ATTEND JOHNSON REUNION IN NEBRASKA AUGUST 30
Malvern Leader
September 10, 1936
Mrs. Samuel Masters and her son, George Masters, and wife of Glenwood, and the Riley Johnson family autoed out to Nebraska last Sunday, Aug. 30, where they attended the annual reunion of the descendants of Mr. and Mrs. J.J. Johnson, prominent pioneer settlers of Mills County, who resided for many years south of Malvern.
There were nine children in the family. Six of them are now living and four were present at the reunion, these being Mrs. Samuel Masters of Malvern, Mrs. Ella Bair of Raymond, Nebr., Mrs. D.A. Miller of Weeping Water, Nebr., and J.H. Johnson also of Weeping Water.
The oldest person present at the reunion was Mrs. Lizzie Johnson of Malvern, who is 86, and the youngest present was Jean Ellen Lawton of Raymond, Nebr., who is thirteen months old.
Mr. and Mrs. W.R. Shepard and family of Hastings also attended the reunion and others present were from Harlan, and Omaha, Weeping Water, Lincoln, and Raymond, Nebr. Next year's reunion will be held at Arbor Lodge in Nebraska City.
JOHNSON FAMILIES IN REUNION SUNDAY
Malvern Leader
July 22, 1937
The country home of Marvin Johnson near Glenwood was the gathering place for a reunion of the Johnson families Sunday. Forty-one members of the family sat down for the picnic dinner.
The visit of Elmer Johnson and Mr. and Mrs. Fred Picker of Anderson, Ind., was the occasion of the gathering at this time. Others who came from Omaha were Mrs. Frank Gearhart and children and Mrs. D. Lang and Miss Lang.
JOHNSON-REAFLENG REUNION HELD SUNDAY
Glenwood Opinion Tribune
September 1, 1938
The annual Reafleng-Johnson reunion was held on Sunday, August 28th at the park in Pacific Junction. This was the 13th annual reunion of descendants of Henry and Estalina Reafleng and the second reunion of the descendants of Benjamin and Bessie Johnson.
Some 53 members of these families gathered on this occasion and spent a most enjoyable day. Officers elected for the coming year were: Josie Reafleng, president; Lawrence Johnson, vice-president; Lawrence Johnson, vice-president; Lela Winters, secretary and Carrie Johnson, treasurer.
The oldest member of the Reafleng family present was John Mackey and the youngest was Nancy Wright. The oldest member of the Johnson family was "Grandpa" Johnson and the youngest Dale Johnson.
Guests on this occasion were Catherine Fleming of Shenandoah and Darrell Yates of Glenwood. Those who were privileged to have all of the members of their family present were John Mackey, Herman Reafleng, Orville Good, Lawrence Johnson, Lonnie Ross, John Bantrup and Willard Wright.
It was voted to hold the reunion next year at the Waubonsie state park near Hamburg, the meeting to be on the last Sunday in August, 1939.
JOHNSON-REAFLENG REUNION HELD SUNDAY
Glenwood Opinion Tribune
August 31, 1939
The thirteenth annual reunion of the descendants of Henry and Estelina Reafleng and the third annual reunion of the Benjamin and Bessie Johnson family was held at Waubonsie state park on Sunday, Aug. 27 with 67 persons present and three visitors. Officers for the coming year are as follows: President, Mrs. S.W. Johnson; vice president, Mrs. Lonnie Ross; secretary, Mrs. Art Winters; treasurer, Mrs. Carrie Johnson.
Those with entire families present were: Gus Reafleng, John Mackey, Herman Reafleng, Orville Good, Lonnie Ross, John Bantrup, Ila Nixon, Luther Johnson, Lawrence Johnson, and Paul Johnson.
The next reunion will be held in the Glenwood park on the first Sunday in August.
FAMILY GATHERING AT JOHNSON HOME SUNDAY
Glenwood Opinion Tribune
September 2, 1943
A family group gathered at the S.W. Johnson home on Sunday, August 29 for a pot luck dinner to honor Mrs. Robert Ball and son, Bobbie, of Detroit, Mich. All members of the Johnson family except ten were present.
Those present were Mrs. Franklin Johnson and sons Mr. and Mrs. Luther Johnson and Merrill, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Johnson and family, Mr. and Mrs. Glen Johnson and family, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Johnson and family, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Harless and family, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Harless and Gary, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Ahart and family, Carl Johnson, Ben Johnson, Steven Buckingham, Mr. and Mrs. S.W. Johnson and Clara Mae all from near Glenwood, as well as Mrs. H.J. Reafleng of Council Bluffs, Mrs. Arthur Winters and Virginia Ann and the honored guests, Mrs. Robert Ball and son Bobbie of Detroit, Mich.
JOHNSON REUNION HELD HERE SUNDAY
Glenwood Opinion Tribune
August 16, 1945
The 25th annual reunion of the descendants of John Nelson Johnson and wife was held in the Glenwood park on August 12th. After the picnic dinner, election of officers was held, and historian's report read. In the latter mention was made that this was the 94th year since these pioneers came to Fremont county, Iowa, and settled near McPaul. The records show 23 great grandsons and five great great grandsons now in military service. Plans were made to hold next year's reunion in Glenwood and to make of it a special occasion since it will mark the 250th anniversary of the coming of John Johnson from Scotland to Greensprings, Virginia. He was the first paternal ancestor of this particular Johnson clan to settle in America.
ANNUAL JOHNSON REUNION HELD AT BAPTIST CHURCH
Glenwood Opinion Tribune
September 16, 1954
The fourth annual reunion of the descendants of W.J. and Martha Ann Johnson was held August 29, 1954 in the Baptist Church parlors.
Some sixty relatives and guests enjoyed a cooperative dinner. Local guests included Mrs. Ruth Graham and Mr. and Mrs. Marlin Young. Those coming from a distance included Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Keller, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Walker, Mrs. Bonnie Keller Morris Titus, all from Pendelton, Ind.; Mr. and Mrs. W.G. Boelter of Des Moines; Mr. and Mrs. Jud James of Minneapolis, Minn., and Noah and Harold Johnson of Cromwell, Iowa.
The business meeting was presided over by President Harley Johnson. Officers for the new year were elected as follows; President, Noah Johnson; vice president, Neil Knopp; secretary-treasurer, Cathryn Benincosa.
Others attending from in and around Glenwood were: Roy Knopp, Virgie Lugsch, Mrs. Harley Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Thomas, Mr. and Mrs. S.B. Lincoln, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Johnson Phyllis and Roger, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Collins Bob and Sandra, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Stinemates Rosalie and Fredrick, Ramona Thompson, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Thomas, Larry, Sharon and Mary, Mr. and Mrs. Vinton Johnson Don, Marvin and Claudia, Mr. and Mrs. Don Wamberg, Susan, Jim, Donny and Marthalyn, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Raine, Bob, Leslie and Rex; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Graham and Kathleen, and Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon Lincoln.
