Genealogy Data
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Birth : 10 August 1840 in Karlshamn, Sweden
Death : 24 July 1924 in Lake Bertha, Minnesota/Bertha, Todd Co., MN
Burial : 28 July 1924 in Fairview Cemetery, Willmar, Minnesota
[joan'sfam.FTW]
Phyllis Pladsen found Peter L.'s Baptism Record in Karlshamn, Blekinge, Sweden. Witnesses listed were - "Bara (the child was carried by), Oliva Lundberg*, Kapiten Johannes Samuelsson, Arb. (arbetare=worker) Jon Jonsson, Pigan Botella Larsd. Baptised by Pastor Schultz. (Pigan Larsd. is possibly a sister to his mother, Sissa Larsdotter). *Mssrs Julius and Magnus Lundberg of St. Paul and an Ida Lundberg are listed as guests at Geroge W.'s wedding (see Joan's notebook).
According to the Hedvig Eleonora Book of Banns (ela:6), published on 1866, May 4, #41: Peter and Vendla were married May 21, 1866 in Hedvig Eleanora (Parish). The records show the groom was born in Karlshamn*, and had come to the Parish 14, November 1863 from Denmark. The bride (Vendla Charlotta) was born in Jonkoping, and had come to the Parish 1 May 1866 from Clara Parish, in Stockholm. The church records also indicate Peter had left Karlshamn (old spelling Carlshamn) 30, September 1857. He lived in 1863 at Grev Turegaten 9. In 1866 when John Lorentz (son of Peter) was born Peter Lorentz and (W) Vendla were living at Alberget 8, which is on Djurgarden. At the time of their marriage, Peter's occupation is "Snickare" (carpenter).
Peter and Vendla Charlotta emigrated in June 1869 to New York. They then went to St. Paul, Minnesota and were listed there in 1870 federal census (#515,541). Peter's application for citizenship (naturalization) is dated November, 1870, according to records at the Minnesota History Center. They are also in the 1871 St. Paul City Directory at 10 E. Tenth St., St. Paul. (This area is near the Capitol in St. Paul and no longer exists as a residential area).
They soon moved to Willmar, Minnesota when the Great Northern Railroad expanded west. Peter was a carpenter and shop foreman for the R. R., probably building the interior of Pullman cars. He was a charter member of the Workmen Lodge (AOUW), a Vestryman at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Willmar for a total of 18 years, and a member of the Royal Arch Mason's. . Harold Larson, a genealogist from Willmar, MN, located P.L.'s naturalization record (copy in Joan's notebook). He was naturalized December 10, 1896. (Interestingly, the certificate is signed by E. M. Ramsett, Deputy Clerk of District Court (Kandiyohi, County). Ella May Ramsett is the daughter of Eber Wright, brother to William Wright who married Mary Tilden (grandmother of Etta Pease Johnson, wife of George W. son of Peter! Ella May's husband, Henry J. Ramsett was the Clerk of District Court in Willmar. (His wife served as his deputy!)
Although Peter Lawrence died at Lake Bertha, Minnesota (at son Edward's summer cottage), he was living with George W. and Etta Johnson in Red Wing, Minnesota at that time and was visiting his son at his cottage on Lake Bertha. A note in Etta's diary has George and Etta visiting Edward at Lake Bertha on the way home from a trip west. Peter Lawrence was referred to as "Grandpa P L."
Joan remembers cousins and great aunts and uncles (grandchildren and great grand) of Peter Lawrence and Vendla Charlotta visiting our family at Green Lake on the 4th of July and their names and address are in the Green Lake Guest Book in Joans file(ca. 1939-41), i.e. Caroline and William F. Johnson, 4104 Sheridan, Mpls., Marion J. MacDonald, 5412 S. Girard, Mpls, Zenobia Johnson, Alfred Johnson (Chicago), Stella, Roy (parents), son Donald Hawkinson, 2716 W. 45th, Mpls., Mary Johnson, Racine, Alice J., John C., Joel, Adrian Johnson, 3933 Bloomington, Mpls, Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell Johnson, 50 S. Cretin #206, St. Paul, Marjorie Elde (or Wilde), Helen Zietz, 621 East 37th St. Mpls. Later Alfred and Zenobia, 7948 Champlain Ave., Chicago, Bonnie Johnson 1864 Simpson Ave., St. Paul, Alice Johnson, 3933 Bloomington. (See guest book for dates)
Peter was a member of St. Luke's (Episcopal) church and is buried in the family plot at Fairview Cemetery (Southview section) in Willmar.
*Karlschamm is on the Southern Coast, close to Denmark.
Parents:
Father: Persson, JonFamily:
Mother: Larsdotter, Sissa
Marriage: 21 May 1866 in Hedvig Eleanora Parish, Stockholm, Sweden
Spouse:Hjelm, Vendla CharlottaChildren:
Birth : 17 November 1838 in Jonkoping, Sweden
Death : 29 March 1913 in Willmar, Kandiyohi County, Minnesota
Burial : 1 April 1913 in Fairview Cemetery, Willmar, Minnesota
[joan'sfam.FTW]
(Also see notes for Peter) In the marriage records of the church in Stockholm (Hedvig Eleonora Book of Banns (Ela:6), published 1866, May 4, #41), the bride had come to the Parish 1 May 1866 from Clara Parish, also in Stockholm. Her "giftoman" (closet male relative) was her foster father Johan Lundblad. Vendla's name was originally Wendla, but as was common the W was changed to a V when Americanized. This information was found by Phyllis Pladson, Swedish genealogist with help from a friend (and genealogist!) in Sweden. Vendla was born in Jonkoping, Sweden. So far we have not found searched for records of her parents or siblings.Johnson, John Lorentz
Johnson, Charles H.
Johnson, George William
Johnson, Edward A.
Johnson, Henry L.
Birth : 1879
Johnson, Arthur J.
There are many interesting stories in the lives of those represented here. Please help me add information, photos, or whatever you feel comfortable with.
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This page has been slightly reformatted and preserved in memory of its creator and my brother.
(aka Bruce Johnson)
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