My great-grandfather Linton Alfred Johnson was born in Lawrence County, Ohio in 1869. He was the son of Eber and Ann (Stevens) Johnson. He married Margaret “Maggie” Priscilla Kingery in Lawrence County on 11 June 1893. Together, they had four children: Zelma, Alice, Stanley (my grandfather), and Orpha.
This is the earliest photo I have of Linton. It is in front of the home in Lawrence County. In the front row (L-R): Maggie, Murnahan boy (I don’t have the original photo with me right now and I don’t recall his first name), “Grandmother,” Orpha, Linton, and Stanley. Standing in the back are Zelma and Alice. I need to do some research to see if I can figure out if “Grandmother” is Linton’s mother (Ann Stevens Johnson) or Maggie’s mother (Elizabeth Jane Murnahan Kingery).
Johnson family, Lawrence County, Ohio, circa 1912.
What strikes me about Linton in this photo are how big his hands are.
Linton is also in the photo at the top of No Story Too Small. He and Maggie are the couple on the right, below the photo of the car. What you don’t see in that picture is that he is in a wheelchair. My dad has said that all of his memories of his grandfather are of him in his wheelchair.
Linton died 2 January 1938 in Huntington Township, Ross County, Ohio and is buried at Locust Grove Cemetery in Lawrence County.
Grandmothers hands look big to me too. Maybe she’s Linton’s mother. Not one of them smiling. Wonder how long they had to stand there and pose for the shot? Love your “No Story Too Small” blog and posts.
I thought about her hands, too, but I wonder if it’s the angle that she’s holding them. I’m glad that you enjoy the blog!
Looking at the photo I instantly thought ‘grandmother’ might be Maggie’s mother. Maggie seems to have the beginning of the same lines that ‘grandmother’ has on her cheeks under her eyes. The lines of their forehead, eyebrows, mouth and chin are very similar as well. Of course this could all be coincidental, but it was my first thought. If you find some evidence of who she is I hope you update us. I love a good photo mystery. And, his hands are quite large!
I will definitely update you if I figure out who it is!
I just started researching this line.
You’re researching Linton and Margaret Johnson? We should compare notes!
This is one of the best 52-week challenges I’ve seen. I have enjoyed reading stories about your family. You’ve encouraged me to start it now. http://www.nancyhvest.com
Welcome, Nancy! I’m glad you’re enjoying the challenge.