John E. Johnston of Sweden
John E. Johnston and Brita Catharina Matsdotter


The following is based on a biography  published in the 1912 "History of Crawford County Volume II":

JOHN E. JOHNSTON

John E. Johnston, deceased, who for more than thirty years was a citizen of Crawford county and died on a farm in this county in 1902, was a native of Sweden. He was reared and educated in the land of his birth and, believing that conditions were more favorable in America for an ambitious young man desirous of securing the best advantages available for himself and family, he crossed the ocean in 1871 and during the remainder of his life was a patriotic and useful citizen of this republic. He settled in Crawford county, Iowa, and by his industry and high character gained recognition as one of its substantial citizens. His memory is revered by all who knew him. Mrs. Johnston is still living and makes her home with her daughter in Otter Creek township. There were six children in their family, three of whom still survive.

His daughter, Hannah Johnston, who is now the owner of a well improved farm in Otter Creek township, was born in Sweden. She came to this country with her parents and grew to womanhood in Crawford county, receiving an excellent education in the public schools, and under her mother became thoroughly acquainted with the duties of the household. In 1884 she was united in marriage to C. G. Carlson, also a native of Sweden. He came to America in 1881 and located in Crawford county, where he became acquainted with his future wife. There were six children in their family, namely: Alfred B., who was born December 17, 1884, and died December 30, 1888; Selma E., who was born February 11, 1887, and is living at home; Walter S., who was born September 3, 1888, and is also at home; Agnes E., who was born September 24, 1890, and died August 16, 1896; Edith E., born March 7, 1893, and Ester M., born May 31, 1896, both of whom are at home.

The mother of these children is one of the well known residents of the county, having made her home here for many years. The home farm, which comprises one hundred and fifty- nine acres on section 2, Otter Creek township, has been greatly improved under her direction and is provided with a handsome residence and all modern facilities for its cultivation, making it one of the desirable properties in this part of the county. She is a lady of fine intelligence and strength of character and has many friends and acquaintances who have been attracted by her sterling worth. Religiously she adheres to the Free Mission church, in which she was reared, and is an earnest worker in its behalf. She has given her children liberal advantages of education and has trained them to become useful and honorable members of society, willing at all times to perform their part in forwarding the interests of those with whom they are associated.



Descendants of John E. Johnston and Brita Catharina Matsdotter

1-John Erickson (-)
sp: Maria Gustafsdotter (Jun 1810-21 Jan 1903)
    2-John E. Johnston (1 Nov 1838-3 May 1902)
    sp: Brita Cathrina (Carrie) Mattsdotter (28 Mar 1838-18 May 1911)
        3-Hannah E. (Johannes) Johnston (20 Jul 1865-10 Feb 1941)
        sp: Carl Gustaf Carlson (10 Jun 1856-23 Sep 1932)
            4-Alfred Bernard Carlson (17 Dec 1884-30 Dec 1888)
            4-Selma Elizabeth Carlson (11 Feb 1887-22 Jan 1954)
            sp: Axel Leonard Bloom (30 Sep 1884-17 Nov 1965)
            4-Walter Sigfried Carlson (3 Sep 1888-8 Aug 1968)
            sp: Sophia M. Johnston (16 May 1888-29 Jan 1972)
                5-Marion Bernard Carlson (18 Jan 1913-24 Mar 1913)
                5-Willard Lowell Carlson (25 Jun 1914-29 Oct 1996)
                sp: Faye Anna Nelson (-)
                    6-Sandra Sue Carlson (-)
                    sp: Thomas James Fogarty (-)
                    6-Kaye Leah Carlson (-)
                    sp: Elton Aldrich (-)
                        7-Carrie Lynn Aldrich (-)
                        7-Rhonda Kaye Aldrich (-)
                        7-Keith Elton Aldrich (-)
                        7-Julie Ann Aldrich (-)
                        sp: Justin Hawkins (-)
                    6-Gary Lyle Carlson (-)
                    sp: Jean Wiebers (-)
                        7-Joel Lyle Carlson (-)
                        7-Kristie Jean Carlson (-)
                        sp: Raymond McGrady (-)
                        7-Benjamin Gary Carlson (-)
                    sp: LeAnn Pingrey (-)
                    6-Patsy Ann Carlson (-)
                    sp: Vernon Weldin (-)
                        7-Jessica Faye Weldin (-)
                        7-Caron Renee Weldin (-)
            4-Agnes Amelia Carlson (24 Sep 1890-16 Aug 1896)
            4-Edith Elvira Carlson (7 Mar 1893-21 May 1916)
            sp: Axel Leonard Bloom (30 Sep 1884-17 Nov 1965)
                5-Doris Bloom (-)
                sp: Leroy H. Schelldorf (26 Jun 1910-27 Aug 1971)
                    6-Janet Schelldorf (-)
                    sp: Dean Norelius (-)
                        7-Dan Norelius (-)
                        7-? Norelius (-)
                    6-Harlee Schelldorf (-)
            4-Esther Marie Carlson (31 May 1896-31 May 1973)
            sp: Glenn August Goetsch (12 Jul 1894-16 Sep 1972)
                5-Marilee Jeanette Goetsch (1918-1918)
                5-Infant Goetsch (1921-1921)
                5-Dorothy Goetsch (-)
                sp: Ben Heiny (-)
                    6-Diane Heiny (-)
                5-Dale Francis Goetsch (-)
                sp: Maxine Goetsch? (-)
                5-Donna Goetsch (-)
                sp: Gage Swanson (3 Oct 1923-10 May 1993)
                    6-Pamela Swanson (-)
                    sp: David Driscoll (-)
                        7-David Driscoll (-)
                    sp: Robert Lilja (-)
                    6-Peggy Jo Swanson (-)
                    sp: Doyle Jobe (-)
                        7-Allison Jobe (-)
                        7-Nathan Jobe (-)
                    6-Paul Swanson (-)
                5-Darrell G. Goetsch (abt 1930-bef 1985)
                sp: Wilma Thompson (-)
                5-Dennis E. Goetsch (-)
                sp: Janice Leone Quade (-)
        3-Mary Catherine Johnston (1869-)
        sp: John Melcher Larson (-)
            4-Oscar W. Larson (1890-1965)
            sp: Jestina Larson? (1891-1973)
            4-Elna M. Larson (1895-1960)
            sp: Reuben Osher Lindskoog (28 Jun 1892-16 Oct 1973)
                5-Wayne Lindskoog (-)
                sp: Ruby Mauritz (-)
                    6-Dennis Allen Lindskoog (-)
                    sp: Cynthia Ann Linman (-)
                        7-Lori Ann Lindskoog (-)
                        7-Brett Allen Lindskoog (-)
                        7-Jill Marie Lindskoog (-)
                    6-Marlys Lindskoog (-)
                    sp: Mark Conner (-)
                        7-Abby Conner (-)
                5-Virginia Lindskoog (-)
                sp: Melvin Schmidt (-)
            4-David J. Larson (1892-28 May 1979)
            sp: Gertrude Larson? (16 Jan 1894-18 Oct 1982)
            4-Willard Larson (-)
            4-Mabel Larson (-)
            sp: E. J. Johnson (-)
            4-Edward Larson (-)
            4-Wallace Larson (28 May 1907-21 Mar 1983)
            4-Alveda Elizabeth Larson (27 Aug 1897-30 Sep 1995)
            sp: Herbert D. Tunberg (1898-1969)
                5-Richard Tunberg (-)
                sp: Lois Tunberg? (-)
                5-Shirley Tunberg (-)
                sp: Albin Rippstein (-)
                5-Allen Tunberg (-)
                sp: Darlene Tunberg? (-)
                5-Jane Tunberg (-)
                sp: Robert Erickson (-)
            4-Ruth Larson (-)
            sp: Elden E. Linman (21 Sep 1894-)
                5-Roger Linman (-)
                5-Roland Linman (-)
        3-John Johnston (11 Feb 1874-1 Apr 1877)
        3-Charlotte Johnston (2 Feb 1876-18 Apr 1877)
        3-Axel (Alex Wilhelm) Johnston (Jun 1878-11 Dec 1946)
    2-Peter Johnston (19 Sep 1842-22 Mar 1923)
    sp: Anna Helena Larson (1 Feb 1842-13 Jul 1876)
        3-Anna Johnston (7 Jan 1871-24 May 1926)
        sp: John August Nordell (7 Apr 1867-13 Mar 1928)
            4-Orville John Nordell (13 Sep 1901-18 Jul 1985)
            sp: Minnie Mable Bergin (28 Oct 1901-29 Nov 1983)
            4-Farrell F. Nordell (3 Sep 1903-9 May 1973)
            sp: Fern Johnson (21 Feb 1905-19 Jan 1996)
                5-Louis Llewellyn F. Nordell (27 Apr 1927-10 Aug 1987)
                5-Loretta Nordell (-)
                sp: James Wermuth (-)
                    6-Richard Wermuth (-)
                    6-Linda Wermuth (-)
                5-Ronald Nordell (-)
                sp: Anne Coyle (-1967)
                    6-Robert Nordell (-)
                    6-Dennis Nordell (-)
                    6-Ronald Nordell (-)
                    6-Donald Nordell (-)
                    6-Pamela Nordell (-)
                sp: Celcilia Ann Nordell? (-)
                    6-Laura Elizabeth Nordell (-)
                5-Marilyn Nordell (-)
            4-Orris August Nordell (4 Dec 1905-3 Dec 1953)
            sp: Ethel Irene Bergin (30 May 1907-)
                5-Vi Lois Nordell (-)
                sp: Lester Ellerbush (-)
                    6-Danny Ellerbush (-)
                    sp: Nancy Gilbertson (-)
                        7-Darren Troy Ellerbush (15 Jul 1977-12 Mar 1987)
                        7-Chad Michael Ellerbush (-)
                        7-Jason Andrew Ellerbush (-)
                        7-Bryan Edward Ellerbush (-)
                    6-Lynette Sue Ellerbush (-)
                    sp: Steven Eric Erickson (-)
                        7-Hans Levi Erickson (-)
                        7-Cara Lee Erickson (-)
                    6-Donald Orris Ellerbush (-)
                    sp: Kellie Jean Meador (-)
            4-Margaret H. Nordell (23 Aug 1908-3 Nov 1998)
            sp: Harry Skarin (30 Sep 1905-6 Mar 1973)
                5-Beverly Ann Skarin (-)
                sp: James Cronin (-)
                    6-Debra Ann Cronin (-)
                    sp: Phil Wheeler (-)
                    6-Denise Marie Cronin (-)
                    sp: Kenneth Karsh (-)
                        7- Karsh (-)
                        7- Karsh (-)
                    6-Jeffery James Cronin (-)
                    sp: Lynn Piskara (-)
                        7- Cronin (-)
                        7- Cronin (-)
                    6-Kerry William Cronin (-)
                    sp: Carole Summers (-)
                        7- Cronin (-)
                        7- Cronin (-)
                    6-Doreen Helen Cronin (-)
                        7- Cronin (-)
                    6-Leigh Ann Cronin (-)
                    sp: Kedy Coffield (-)
                        7- Coffield (-)
            4-Ima Bernetta Nordell (9 Dec 1910-2 Apr 1983)
            sp: Elmer Nels Danielson (2 Sep 1904-16 Jun 1934)
                5-Warren Danielson (-)
                sp: Vera Cook (-)
            sp: Leo Sommers (12 Jul 1912-12 Jun 1944)
                5-Donald Sommers (-)
                5-Paul Sommers (-)
            4-Delbert Johnston Nordell (31 May 1914-3 May 1951)
            sp: Eva Indorf (-)
                5-Curtis Nordell (-)
                5-Mary Ann Nordell (-)
                5-Dennis Nordell (-)
        3-Helena Johnston (18 Dec 1872-13 Apr 1904)
        3-Peter Johnston (25 Jul 1875-7 Jun 1876)
    sp: Bothilda (Berggren) Bergren (19 Mar 1848-6 Sep 1887)
        3-Tillie Johnston (2 Feb 1886-12 Jun 1969)
        sp: John Gordon (4 Jan 1889-22 Jun 1969)
    sp: Johanna Maria Carlson (13 Oct 1844-27 Oct 1920)
    2-Mathilda Erickson (1 Jan 1858-16 Oct 1906)
    sp: John Peterson (23 Jan 1840-1 Sep 1910)
        3-Maria Peterson (1880-1884)
        3-Marie Peterson (5 Oct 1882-)
        3-Anna Mathilda Peterson (4 Jan 1885-)
        3-Hannah Augusta Peterson (26 Apr 1887-)
        3-Gertrude Peterson (26 Jun 1890-)
        3-Elizabeth Elivera Peterson (16 Feb 1893-)
        3-John Emanual Peterson (25 May 1895-)
        3-Phoebe Naomi Peterson (14 Sep 1898-)

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