By: Mark Holtsberry
Frederick F. Johnson was born in Antwerp, Ohio in 1883. The son of James L. born December 31, 1858 in Ohio and Carrie S. (Goshorn) Johnson born in 1864 in Ohio. Her father, Andrew Jackson Goshorn, was a Civil War Veteran who served with 147 Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
Anyway, I went down a rabbit hole… James and Carrie were married September 4, 1881 in Paulding. On September 2, 1884 a daughter, Eva M. was born, followed by a son, Thomas W. July 27, 1886, Flossie May, September 14, 1891, and Charles E. March 14, 1892.
By 1900, the Johnson family was living in Antwerp. James was a blacksmith. All the children were in school. On October 24, 1904, Carrie’s father, Andrew passed away he was buried in Riverside Cemetery, Antwerp. By 1910, it is unclear where Frederick took off too, but, I believe he went to work for the cement plant quarry.
On May 31, 1917, Frederick signed up for the National Guard out of Toledo. His occupation was listed as a metallurgist.. He stood 5’7″ tall, brown hair, brown eyes, light complexion. He was assigned to serve in the 1st Ambulance Company Ohio National Guard and then he was promoted to Corporal, November 5, 1917. Assigned to regular Army to serve in the 148th Ambulance Company 112th Sanitary Train, 37th Division. Promoted to Sergeant March 21, 1918. On June 28, 1918 Frederick boarded the ship,” Plassy” at Brooklyn, New York and set sail for France. He will serve in the Muese-Argonne, Ypres-Lys defensive sector. Wounded in action November 1, 1918. Honorably Discharged April 12, 1919.
What is very interesting, Frederick’s brothers, Thomas and Charles also served overseas in France, and yes, they made it home also. Returning home Frederick got married in Monroe, Michigan May 1, 1919 to a gal named Agnes K. Courtner, born February 26, 1896 in Alabama.
In 1920, Frederick and Agness moved back to Antwerp, living on Main Street. Frederick worked at the stone Quarry as an Engineer. That same year, March 3, 1920, a daughter, Vilhetha Samantha Johnson was born. By 1930, Frederick, Agnes and Vilhetha, were still living in Antwerp. Frederick was working as a manager at the furniture factory in Antwerp.
On May 10, 1933, Frederick’s father, James passed away. By 1940, Frederick, Agnes and Vilhetha were living at 413 South Main Street in Antwerp.On June 4, 1940, Frederick passed away. He was burried in Maumee Cemetery in Antwerp. Section A., lot 517, grave 6. On September 23, 1943 in Indiana, Vilhetha married a fella named, George Samuel Jump. They moved to Virginia where George served in World War Two. Rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Agness moved to Arlington, Virginia to be with her daughter. Agnes passed away December 8, 1982 and was brought home to be buried with Frederick in Maumee Cemetery. Vilhetha, a retired nurse, passed away in 2010 and is buried in Arlington, Virginia.
…Until Next Time!
