Timeline of Alfreda's Grown up Years

I thought it would be interesting to see a timeline with major events in Alfreda's life mostly because I was curious as to why Orin's family would do so much to help her family instead of her own parents and family. I was pretty sure some of it was a responsibility to her because of the actions of their son/brother, Orin, but I was sure that if it were possible, her family would help her as much as possible, especially as I believe they made a good living. It turns out that her parents passed away before that very difficult time in her life and although she had occasional help from her own family, her children that were home at the time were passed to relatives for care and work from Orin's family.

Age     Date    

20     27 February 1915 Marries Orin Johnson in the home of her parents, Hans and Isabelle Johnson. Witnesses are Carl Johnson and Gustave Johnson and they are married by Reverend O.M. Vereide.

22     1916  Son, Orin, born and passes away. He is buried on a knoll near Ole Johnson's Farm (Orin's father) which land is now owned by Victor Johnson (Orin's nephew and son of his brother, Joseph).

23     1917 America enters WWI.

24     1918 Daughter, Marjorie, born.

26     1920 Lives in Alden, Freeborn, MN.

26     1921 Daughter, Adele, born in Rake, IA.

28     1923 Son, Orris Harlan born in Walters, Faribault, MN.

31     1926 Son, Carl Dean, born in Alden, Freeborn, MN.

34     The Great Depression begins and lasts until about 1939.

34     1929 Her father, Hans, passes away.

34     1929 Daughter, Betty, born in Estherville, IA.

37     1932 Daughter, Marilyn, born in Fenton, IA.

37     1932 Mother, Isabelle, passes away.

38     1933 Orin, Jr. born in Swea City, IA

42     1936 Divorces Orin (as far as I can tell. I am told that he was declared dead, but I haven't searched for that information yet.)

48    1943 Marries Ray Elijah Towle

68    1963 Ray passes away. They were married for 19 years.

Alfreda Julene Johnson Towle lived in Hampton, Iowa from 1943 until her death on the 9th of February, 1984.

The children were all born in different places as you can see. It may be that I have incorrect information but I understand that they moved around quite a bit in those years that she was married to Orin as he tried unsuccessfully to farm so that would explain the different birth places. They owned a house in Pine City at one point as well.

Next up will be words from her children!