Johnson Reunion Beginning

MINUTES OF THE
JOHNSON AND SHIVELY REUNION
Organization Aug 16 – 1915

Johnson and Shively reunion organized Aug 16, 1915 at the home of J.L. Johnson 99 Indiana Ave. Anderson, Indiana. Several relatives and minds were invited to this home in honor of J.W. Johnson. “J.L. Johnson’s father”. It being his birthday. He being the oldest of the Johnson family now living.
A great number of relatives responded from all over the state and a general good time was enjoyed by all.
At the noon hour a sumptious dinner was served. This being one of the most important events of the day was enjoyed by both young and old to the fullest extent.
Before departing for their several homes it was decided that we meet yearly and the following officers were duly elected
         President          J Milton Johnson, Lapel, Ind.
         Secretary          Frank Shively, Anderson
A motion was made and 2nded to meet the next August at Riverside Park, Anderson, Indiana.
Business being concluded all departed for their homes thinking it a day well spent.
(Notations in margin: Glen Johnson Aug. 15 – 1915)

Thanks to collaboration with some of my distant Johnson cousins as well as the “key” that was on the back of this photo, I have the names of several of those who attended the first Johnson reunion held at the home of my maternal great-grandparents, John Lafayette and Katie J. (Blazer) Johnson, in Anderson, Indiana on August 16, 1915. The couple are the 2nd and 3rd from the right seated in the front row. My grandfather, Glen Roy Johnson, is next to them on the end. Their 4-year-old foster daughter, Eva, is the girl with the bow in her hair seated in front of Katie (2nd from right on the lawn). The older gentleman (seated bent over) in the center of the front row is my great-great-grandfather James Wilson Johnson.

(News articles from Anderson, Indiana newspaper)

Johnson-Shively (misspelled in the news article above) denotes the Johnson family and the descendants of Mary “Polly” Johnson who was the sister of my 2nd great-grandfather James Wilson Johnson. Polly married Ulery Shively.

Minutes from all of the reunions (1915-1941) are written in a notebook that my grandfather had kept. Enclosed in it were letters giving reasons about not attending an upcoming reunion. In the back of the book were several pages of names with addresses which has helped me place them within the Johnson family. There were also notations in the margins about who had died, who had married, and the babies born. I feel very blessed that I am able to consult this treasure trove of information when I need.

(Week 1 of 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks.)

(Photograph of reunion in possession of Wendy Littrell)