"Buck" Johnson Family Texas

Buck Johnson was born as one of the last children and a twin to Bernt Johnson's second wife, Carrie Nielsen. Bernt had immigrated to Texas from Norway as a young man and became a well known mechanic for the local gin company. Carrie's family was Danish. The family spoke Norwegian in the home until the children started to school.

Buck learns early how to work hard on the large family farm among the several brothers and sisters.

Buck meets Melba after his older brother, Eddie Monroe Johnson, marries the divorcee Sadie Holloway Kirkland. The Kirkland family had remained close friends of the Collier family that had lived in Dallas. Buck's mother Carrie Johnson went to Dallas for cancer treatment and the Johnson's and Colliers became acquainted.

Buck and Melba marry. My mother had decided to leave the position as cook for the McElroy Ranch(Upton Co/Crane Co), Crane, (west) Texas because she wanted to start a family. She notified her cousin, Melba that the position was available. She and Buck took the jobs and moved to West Texas where they remained for number of years. For several years "Buck" was a cowboy and ranch hand taking care of 996 sections of land and cattle.  Since they had worked for the ranch a number of years and wanted to start a family, they were offered the "Sands Camp". The house was somewhat remote from the main house and had no electricity or phone.  Lighting was by kerosene lamp and cooking by wood stove.  Buck rode the fence line on horseback, repaired fences, took care of injured animals and helped with the round-up.  Melba was in charge of the chuck wagon at roundup.  When we went to visit.  My mother and grandmother would help out.   My Dad was used to being the "flunky" and was probably in charge of making sure there was enough firewood.  [Elroy Christenson]

  

photo in collection of Elroy Christenson

There was an open water tank that was used for watering the cattle and for drinking water.  It was filled by a windmill.  Since it was one of the few spots of water in the area it was also frequented by birds.  The morning doves were constant visitors and were hunted during hunting season. 

The ranch manager for many years was R. W. "Buck" Kelton.  His son, Elmer Kelton, grew up on the ranch and eventually graduated from Crane High School. He goes on to become one of the best known authors of cowboy stories who died in 2009 at the age of 83.  He was a ranch hand and teenager while my parents and uncle and aunt were residents of the ranch.

The ranch life and remoteness finally took their toll.  They moved back to central Texas to live near other relatives.   They had a farm for awhile where they raised angora goats and cut cedar posts to make a living.  It was tough and Melba had to find work in town.  The economic pressures and Buck's lack of education and perceived lack of drive were elements that couldn't be surmounted.  They eventually get divorced in 1963.  

1981, March 23 -Buck Johnson dies
 Funeral Notice. 

"In the early 1950's the couple moved to the Mosheim area near Possum Trott Road and became residents of Bosque County. The couple raised their two sons here in Clifton and Mosheim area. Eventually, Melba would move to town to make her home on North Avenue U close to other family members. She was a dietician at Providence Hospital for many years. As her health began to fail a bit, and she suffered from some mobility problems, she entered the Clifton Lutheran Sunset Home to become a resident and friend here. " [obituary 4 Oct 2002]

1950 - I remember visiting with Billy and Fred fairly often when I was quite young.  We used to lay down in the loft in the barn near Meridian and shoot wasps on the puddles below with the BB gun.[Elroy's recall]

"She loved to travel all her life, but in her senior years made trips to Europe, Alaska, and where ever she could catch a plane, a cruise ship, or a train ride. She was an avid reader, with a perky sense of humor and always a kind sweet word." [obituary 4 Oct 2002]

Although the obituary above lists Melba's occupation as "dietician", she was still doing cooking.  She did plan menus and run the kitchen, so cooking was her life long occupation. 

   
Fred and Bill Johnson
photo courtesy of Edith Petty

Bill Johnson's Family  

Fred, Ed Melba(mother) and Melissa about 1999
photo courtesy of Edith Petty

sources:

All information and photos included within these pages was developed by the help of hundreds of researchers. The information here is for the express purpose of personal genealogical research and is freely offered as long as this site is listed as a source. It may not be included or used for any commercial purpose or included in any commercial site without the express permission of Elroy Christenson. Copyright Elroy Christenson 1998-2010.