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Mary Josephine Ruehl and Samuel Caperton Johnston Family

Mary Josephine Ruehl daughter of  Heinrich “Henry”  and Elizabeth (Doerr) Ruehl

  • born: 16 Mar 1857 in Egg Harbor, Atlantic County, New Jersey, USA
  • died:  02 Sep 1934 at the age of 77 in Hennepin County, Minnesota, USA 
  • married: Samuel Caperton Johnston on 30 May 1880 in Mc Greger, Clayton County, Iowa

Samuel Caperton Johnston son of Thomas and Matilda (swope) Johnston

  • born 04 Oct 1848 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, USA
  • died: 10 Feb 1920 at the age of 71 in Grey Eagle, Todd County, Minnesota, USA

Samuel and Mary (Ruehl) Johnston Story

They were married on May 30th, 1880 when Mary was 23 and Samuel was 31.  Prior to his marriage to Mary, he served in the Civil War as a Private in the Army and it appears he may have been injured in the war. The type of injury was illegible in the record, but impacted his ability to do much in 1890, although it appears he was able to work by the 1900 US Federal Census and by 1910 had purchased their farm in Birchdale Township, Todd County, Minnesota.  

They married May 30, 1880 in Mc Gregor, Clayton County, Iowa, where they lived when their first son William Henry was born in 1881.  By 1890 it appears they lived in Minnesota, where they purchased their farm.

They had six children, which I’ll list below. There may have been a seventh child who died in infancy before 1900, based on the 1900 census showing 7 children born to Mary, six of whom were living.  

His occupation changed over time as he shows as an Ice dealer before purchasing their farm in Birchdale Township, Todd County, Minnesota sometime between 1900 and 1910. The sections of the plat map for 1914 shows S. C. Johnson owning 160 acres and M. J. Johnson owning 40 acres. By the 1920 Plat Map, the year Samuel died, the property is all owned by M. J. Johnson.  I believe this 200 acres was owned by Samuel C. and Mary J. Johnston and the 200 acres transferred to Mary by 1920.. 

1914 Plat Map of Birchdale Township, Todd County, Minnesota, Section 15/16
1914 Plat Map Johnson [Johnston] acreage Birchdale Township, Todd County, Minnesota
1920 Plat Map Birchdale Township, Todd County Minnesota partial -September 22, 2019-
1920 Plat Map Johnson [Johnston] acreage Birchdale Township, Todd County, Minnesota
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Samuel and Mary (Ruehl) Johston Census Records

The following are the records for Samuel and Mary that I could find. As far as census records are concerned, anyone in the household may have provided the information (including neighbors) and subject to interpretation of the census taker.   I wasn’t able to find them in the 1880 US Federal Census and the 1890 US Federal Census was destroyed by fire. However, I did find  their daughter, Mabels birth record for 1885 and Samuels 1890 Veterans Schedule for 1890.

In 1885 their daughter Mabel was born in Winneshiek County, Iowa in 1885, based on her birth record.1

1890 Veterans Schedules for Samuel C. Johnston, page No. 1, Supervisor’s District No. 4, Enumeration District No. 8 enumeration district 8, Le Sauk, Stearns County, Minnesota, enumerated in June, 1890:

  • Samuel C. Johnston, home: Le Sak, Stearns County, Minnesota, year enlisted: Sept 1862, year discharged: May 1865, rank: Private, Company 2, Regiment: 7, Minnesota Infantry. Disability Incurred: Illegible, Remarks: now unable to do much.
1900 US Federal Census, Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minnesota, District 017, Ward No 1, Sheet No. 1, Parish No. 6, Family No. 6, taken on June 1, 1900. Household members:
  • S. Johnson, head, born Oct 1848, age: 57, years married: 20, birthplace: Indiana, Fathers birthplace: Virginia, Mother’s birthplace: Virginia, occupation: Ice dealer, can read, write and speak english, renting house.
  • Mary I. [ J. ] Johnson, wife, born March 1857, age: 43, married 20 years, No. of Children: 7, No. of children living: 6, birthplace: New jersey, Fathers birthplace: Germany, Mothers birthplace: Germany. can read, write and speak english.
  • William H. Johnson, son, born: Apr 1881, age: 19, single, birthplace: Iowa, Drug salesman, can read, write and speak english.
  •  Mary L Johnson, daughter, born Dec 1882, age: 17, single, birthplace: Iowa, at school, can read, write and speak english.
  • Mabel Johnson, daughter, born Dec 1885. age 14, single, birthplace: Iowa, at school, can read, write and speak english.
  • Harry V. Johnson, son, born Mar 1890, age: 10, single, birthplace: Minnesota, at school, can read, write and speak english.
  • Elsie Johnson, daughter, born June  1896, age: 3, singlle, birthplace: Minnesota
  • Violet Johnson, daughter, born Apr 1899, age: 1, single, birthplace: Minnesota
1910 US Federal Census, Birchdale Township, Todd County, Minnesota, Supervisor’s District No. 6, Enumeration District No 169, enumerated May 4, 1910:
  • Samuel C. Johnson, head, age: 67, married, number of years in present marriage: 29 years, birthplace: Indiana, Fathers birthplace: New Jersey, Mothers birthplace: New Jersey. Occupation: Farmer, Industry: General Farm. Employer, Own Farm, Mortgaged, Survivor of Confederate or Union Army or Navy.
  • Mary J. Johnson, wife, age: 51, married, number of years in present marriage: 29 years, number of children born: 6, number of children living: 6, birthplace: New Jersey, Fathers birthplace: New Jersey, Mothers birthplace: New Jersey.
  • Violet, daughter, age: 11, single, birthplace: Minnesota, can read, write and attended school.
  • Elsie, daughter, age: 14, single, birthplace: Minnesota, can read, write and attended school.
1920 US Federal Census, Birchdale Township, Todd County, Minnesota, supervisor’s District No. 6, Enumeration District No. 222, Sheet No. 4, enumerated on January 14, 1920, Farm, Dwelling No 81 :
  • Samuel C. Johnson, Head, Owned, Mortgaged, age: 70, married, can read and write, birthplace: Indiana, Fathers birthplace: Virginia, Mothers birthplace: Virginia. occupation: Farmer, Industry: General Farm,  on own account.
  • Mary J. Johnson, wife, age: 62, married, can read and write, born in New Jersey, Father’s birthplace: Germany, Fathers native tongue: German, Mothers birthplace: Hesse Germany, Mothers native tongue: German.

Samuel and Mary (Ruehl) Johnston Children

  1. William Henry Johnston son of Samuel Caperton Johnston and Mary Josephine (Ruehl) Johnston was born on 03 Apr 1881 in Mc Gregor, Clayton County, Iowa, USA. He married Mary M. (Unknown). She was born about 1888 in Minnesota.

    A 1918 US Federal Census shows them living in Portland, Ward 5, Multnoah County, Oregon.:

    * William H. Johnston, Head, age: 30, married for 2 years, birthplace: Iowa, both parents born in Iowa, occupation: Manager Private Bank, renting their home.

    * Mary M. Johnston, wife, age: 22, married for 2 years, number of children born: 1, number of children living: 1, birthplace: Minnesota, both parents showing as being born in Minnesota.

    *  Helen D. Johnston, daughter, age: 1 yr 6 months, birthplace: Minnesota.

  2. Mary Lillian “Mamie” Johnston daughter of Samuel Caperton Johnston and Mary Josephine (Ruehl) Johnston was born in Dec 1882 in Mc Gregor, Clayton County, Iowa, USA. She died on 12 Dec 1928  at the age of 46 in Ramsey County, Minnesota, USA. She married George Paul Deebach son of Paul and Wilhemina “Minnie” (Lindeke) Deebach on 29 Jun 1904 in St Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota, USA. He was born on 06 Oct 1881 in Minnesota, USA. He died on 29 Sep 1943 at the age of 71 in St Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota, USA.

    George and Mary (Johnston) Deebach Children:

    A.  Dorothy Deebach born October 7, 1907 in St. Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota, USA.

    B. Thomas Elliott Deebach born Febraury 15, 1911, at Grey Eagle, Todd County, Minnesota, USA. He died in November 1979 at the age of 68 in Bokeelia, Lee County, Florida, USA. He married Dorothy A. Dempsey, daughter of Herbert M. and Mabel Dempsey.-

  3. Mabel Johnston daughter of Samuel Caperton Johnston and Mary Josephine (Ruehl) Johnston was born on 10 Dec 1885 in Winneshiek County, Iowa, USA.

    Several genealogies show Mabel married to Chester Nolan Corder. There is a Mabel Johnson born about the same time, married to Chester Nolan Corder, but on their Marriage Certificate her parents are showing as Henry Johnson and Cora Kimmel, not Samuel and Mary. This is also a second marriage for both Chester and Mabel.  I have eliminated Chester as being the husband of our Mabel. I have not yet had any luck in finding her in any records after the 1900 US Federal Census when she was 14 years old and still in school.  By 1910 she would be 24/25 years old and most likely off on her own and/or married.
  4. Harrison “Harry” Victor Johnston son of Samuel Caperton Johnston and Mary Josephine (Ruehl) Johnston was born on 13 Mar 1890 in Minnesota, USA, He died on 07 Apr 1973 at the age of 83 in Edina, Hennepin County, Minnesota, USA. He married 1st married Beatrice “Bessie” Catherine Wondra, daughter of Frank G. and Catherine “Katie” A. (Novacek) Wondra. She was born on 02 Mar 1900 in Minnesota. She died on 19 Dec 1958 at the age of 58 in Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, USA. He 2nd married Olive Dorothy Mackenzie, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth McKenzie. Olive was born 27 Feb 1900 in Minnesota and died 18 Dec 1981 at the age of 81 in Broward County, Florida, USA. Harry and Beatrice are buried at Roselawn Cemetery, Roseville, Ramsey County, Minnesota, USA, plot 9_X_MS Johnston_1. Harrison is my 2nd cousin 2x removed and an ancestor I have followed.
  5. Elizabeth “Elsie” Henrietta Johnston daughter of Samuel Caperton Johnston and Mary Josephine (Ruehl) Johnston) was born on 08 Jun 1896 in Minnesota, most likely Stearns County. She died on 02 Feb 1994 at the age of 97 in Northfield, Rice County, Minnesota, USA. She married Frank G. Bernard, son of Peter and Mary Ann (Miesen) Bernard, on 24 Nov 1920 in Wahpeton, Richland County, North Dakota, USA. He was born 10 Jul 1897 in North Dakota, USA, He died on 14 Jan 1970 at the age of 73 in Hennepin County, Minnesota, USA.
  6. Violet Hildred Johnston daughter of Samuel Caperton Johnston and Mary Josephine (Ruehl) Johnston was born in Apr 1899 in Minnesota, USA. She died 15 Feb 1979, most likely in Minnesota. She married Tilmer Siebert Peterson, son of Peter C. and Christine (Eldsvaig) Peterson, on 21 Dec 1929 in St. Paul, Minnesota, USA. He was born on 25 Apr 1904. He died on 21 Jun 1991at the age of 87 in Minnesota, USA. They are both buried at Roselawn Cemetery, Roseville, Ramsey County, Minnesota, USA.
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Citations:

  1. Mable Johnson, birthdate: 10 Dec 1885, place: Winneshiek, Iowa, Father: Samuel Johnson, Mother: Mary Ruehl Johnson, FHL Film Number: 1026656. Online publication – Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.Original data – “Iowa Births and Christenings, 1830–1950.” Index. FamilySearch, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2009, 2010. Index entries derived from digital copies of original…

Disclosure:
The family Information was retrieved from a variety of family trees, webgens and family stories. I will note citations as appropriate and hope the information assists you in your research, but please do not use this as proven evidence. Feedback is welcome!

Pat Burns. Copyright © 2024. All Rights Reserved.
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