Richard Edward Johnson (1907 - 1982)

Born 14 Jul 1907 in Orangeville Twp, MI

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 22 Nov 1982 at age 75 in Delton, Barry Cty, MI

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Biography

Richard Edward Johnson was born on July 14, 1907, in Orangeville, Michigan^[1], the first child of 25-yr-old Edward Johnson, son of Dutch immigrants, and 18-yr-old Jane Eliza Richards, descendant of early Michigan pioneering famiies. He was named for both his parents -- his first name referencing his mother's maiden name of "Richards" and his middle name for his father.

Siblings Richard and Marian Johnson, about 1930

The 1910 census shows 2-yr-old Richard living in Orangeville, MI with his mother, 21-yr-old Jennie, and his 28-yr-old father, Edward, a farmer^[2]. Ten years later in 1920 the family still lived in Orangeville, but included a sister, Marion, age 4.^[3]

Richard Johnson and Nina Smith wedding certificate

Richard and Nina Johnson, about 1935

The couple welcomed daughter Margery in July 1936. The 1940 census shows the family living in Kalamazoo. By the mid 1940's Richard had developed emphysema from poor air quality at the paper company and moved to Guernsey Lake Road in Delton Michigan, to farm with his father.

A second daughter, Shirley, joined the family in August, 1950, when Richard was 43 and Nina was 42.

He was an active member of the Delton Seventh-day Adventist church and served as treasuer for many years.

In 1955 Richard's father, Edward, died in a farming accident and Richard continued to farm alone. His widowed mother, Jenny Richards Johnson, moved into a trailer home adjacent to Richard and Nina's home. Over the next 20 years his health continued to deteriorate and by the mid-1970's he was unable to work.

Richard Johnson and Bea Johnson, 1974

He died on November 22, 1982, in Delton, Michigan^[5], at the age of 75 of emphysema complications, and was buried in Prairieville Township Cemetery, Prairieville, Barry, Michigan.

Sources

1. ↑ Social Security Death Index
2. ↑ 1910 US Census
3. ↑ 1920 US Census
4. ↑ Michigan, Marriage Records, 1867-1952
5. ↑ Social Security Death Index

• 1910 US Census
• 1920 US Census
• 1940 US Census
• Barry County, Michigan, Marriage Index, 1839-2012
• Clare Richard's report, 1980 (genealogist and cousin of Richard Johnson)
• Michigan, Marriage Records, 1867-1952
• Social Security Death Index

Acknowldgements

Johnson-36398 was created by Victoria VanAllen through the import of VanAllen 8 gen.ged on May 6, 2015.