I have not yet found photos of Eugene and Isaac.
Eugene and Isaac, two of John's sons with his first wife, Mary, had intellectual disabilities. We do not know the severity of their disabilities, though we do know they could walk. Isaac also had a seizure disorder. They could not talk, perhaps due to hearing loss or perhaps simply because of the severity or type of their disabilities. Eugene may have also had a significant vision loss.
Eugene: "feeble-minded" since infancy, illiterate, unable to speak English, "deaf and dumb," blind. Eugene did attend school, at least for awhile.
Isaac: epilepsy, "deaf and dumb," "idiotic," illiterate, unable to speak English. Isaac never attended school, so either his disability or his seizure disorder must have been quite severe.
When I was in college, my grandpa, Harold D. German, told me about Eugene and Isaac. He only would say that it was a sad story.
After John Johnson's death in 1904, his wife, Cornelia, went to live with her daughter Minnie and her husband, Ed German, and their family. Harold D. was 4 years old in 1904. Eugene also lived with Ed and Minnie until 1910. We don't know, but Isaac may have also lived with them for a short time. Certainly, Harold D. knew and remembered Eugene and Isaac.
As a child, my mother also knew about Eugene and Isaac. She would have been about 12 years old when Isaac passed away. I remember that she was always especially sensitive to the needs of individuals with disabilities, teaching us the sentiment, "there but for the grace of God go I."
Death: 1 May 1911 in Winfield, Cowley County, KS
1870 Census, Dunn, Dane County, Wisconsin
Eugene (age 2) is "at home." The box "Whether deaf and dumb, blind, insane, or idiotic" is not marked.
1880 Census, Hays Township, Mitchell County, Kansas
Eugene (age 13) as attending school. The boxes for "cannot read" and "cannot write" are not checked, indicating that Eugene could read and write, at least a little. The box for "maimed, crippled, bedridden, or otherwise disabled" is not checked, indicating that Eugene could walk.
1885 Census, Hays Township, Mitchell County, Kansas
Eugene (age 16) is "illiterate." The census record does not provide a place to mark any disability.
1900 Census, Walnut Creek Township, Mitchell County, Kansas
Eugene (age 30) is a farm laborer who is able to "read" and "write" but not able to "speak English."
Eugene's Interment
14 Oct. 1909 At the request of his mother and the court, two physicians in Beloit, Mitchell County, Kansas examined Eugene and determined he was feeble-minded, not insane. They determined he had been feeble-minded since infancy, due to unknown causes. (from probate records)
14 Feb. 1910 A Mitchell County, Kansas judge ordered the Mitchell County Sheriff to take Eugene "together with the accompanying warrant" to the Kansas State Home for Feeble-minded at Winfield. Due to the "peculiar circumstances connected with the case" it was a trial admission.
I'm guessing that Eugene committed a criminal act of some sort, but because of his disability could not be put in a typical jail or prison.
Today, when individuals with very limited intellectual abilities commit crimes, they are oftentimes interred in specially-designated facilities located at state hospitals, training schools, or developmental centers for people with severe disabilities.
1910 Census for Winfield State Home for the Feeble-Minded, Winfield, Kansas
Eugene is listed as blind and deaf and dumb. He worked in the Laundry. Marital Status: Single; Relation to Head of House: Inmate
1 May 1911
Eugene died in Winfield after a "short siege of diphtheria".
9 May 1911
Eugene was buried at the Walnut Creek Cemetery, Mitchell County, KS. Presumably, he was buried in the family plot beside his father. There is no marker for his grave. If there ever was one, it has worn away, been thrown into a nearby field, been buried under years of blown-in soil, or is otherwise gone.
Eugene and Isaac, two of John's sons with his first wife, Mary, had intellectual disabilities. We do not know the severity of their disabilities, though we do know they could walk. Isaac also had a seizure disorder. They could not talk, perhaps due to hearing loss or perhaps simply because of the severity or type of their disabilities. Eugene may have also had a significant vision loss.
What we know of their disabilities, we learn from census records.
Eugene: "feeble-minded" since infancy, illiterate, unable to speak English, "deaf and dumb," blind. Eugene did attend school, at least for awhile.
Isaac: epilepsy, "deaf and dumb," "idiotic," illiterate, unable to speak English. Isaac never attended school, so either his disability or his seizure disorder must have been quite severe.
When I was in college, my grandpa, Harold D. German, told me about Eugene and Isaac. He only would say that it was a sad story.
After John Johnson's death in 1904, his wife, Cornelia, went to live with her daughter Minnie and her husband, Ed German, and their family. Harold D. was 4 years old in 1904. Eugene also lived with Ed and Minnie until 1910. We don't know, but Isaac may have also lived with them for a short time. Certainly, Harold D. knew and remembered Eugene and Isaac.
As a child, my mother also knew about Eugene and Isaac. She would have been about 12 years old when Isaac passed away. I remember that she was always especially sensitive to the needs of individuals with disabilities, teaching us the sentiment, "there but for the grace of God go I."
Eugene Warren Johnson
Birth: July, about 1868 in WisconsinDeath: 1 May 1911 in Winfield, Cowley County, KS
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| 1870 Census, Dunn, Dane County, Wisconsin |
1870 Census, Dunn, Dane County, Wisconsin
Eugene (age 2) is "at home." The box "Whether deaf and dumb, blind, insane, or idiotic" is not marked.
 |
| 1880 Census, Hays Township, Mitchell County, Kansas |
1880 Census, Hays Township, Mitchell County, Kansas
Eugene (age 13) as attending school. The boxes for "cannot read" and "cannot write" are not checked, indicating that Eugene could read and write, at least a little. The box for "maimed, crippled, bedridden, or otherwise disabled" is not checked, indicating that Eugene could walk.
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| 1885 Census, Hays Township, Mitchell County, Kansas |
1885 Census, Hays Township, Mitchell County, Kansas
Eugene (age 16) is "illiterate." The census record does not provide a place to mark any disability.
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| 1900 Census, Walnut Creek Township, Mitchell County, Kansas |
1900 Census, Walnut Creek Township, Mitchell County, Kansas
Eugene (age 30) is a farm laborer who is able to "read" and "write" but not able to "speak English."
Eugene's Interment
14 Oct. 1909 At the request of his mother and the court, two physicians in Beloit, Mitchell County, Kansas examined Eugene and determined he was feeble-minded, not insane. They determined he had been feeble-minded since infancy, due to unknown causes. (from probate records)
14 Feb. 1910 A Mitchell County, Kansas judge ordered the Mitchell County Sheriff to take Eugene "together with the accompanying warrant" to the Kansas State Home for Feeble-minded at Winfield. Due to the "peculiar circumstances connected with the case" it was a trial admission.
I'm guessing that Eugene committed a criminal act of some sort, but because of his disability could not be put in a typical jail or prison.
Today, when individuals with very limited intellectual abilities commit crimes, they are oftentimes interred in specially-designated facilities located at state hospitals, training schools, or developmental centers for people with severe disabilities.
 |
| 1910 Census for Winfield State Home for the Feeble-Minded, Winfield, Kansas |
1910 Census for Winfield State Home for the Feeble-Minded, Winfield, Kansas
Eugene is listed as blind and deaf and dumb. He worked in the Laundry. Marital Status: Single; Relation to Head of House: Inmate
1 May 1911
Eugene died in Winfield after a "short siege of diphtheria".
The People’s Sentinel 11 May 1911 Vol. XXI Number 21 Front Page
It says: (No heading)
The death of Eugene Johnson occurred at the hospital in Winfield, Kansas, Saturday afternoon at one o’clock after a short siege of diptheria. The remains arrived in this city Monday evening and funeral services, conducted by Rev. Hunt, were held at the Walnut creek school house Tuesday forenoon after which interment was made in the adjacent cemetery. The deceased is a step-son of Mrs. C.A. Johnson and until the past two years had made his home with relatives in the above township. At the time of his death he was 43 years of age.
9 May 1911
Eugene was buried at the Walnut Creek Cemetery, Mitchell County, KS. Presumably, he was buried in the family plot beside his father. There is no marker for his grave. If there ever was one, it has worn away, been thrown into a nearby field, been buried under years of blown-in soil, or is otherwise gone.
Isaac A. Johnson
Birth: March, about 1869 in WisconsinDeath: 13 June 1935 in Parsons, Labette County, Kansas
1870 Census, Dunn, Dane County, Wisconsin (shown above)
Isaac (age 1) is "at home." The box "Whether deaf and dumb, blind, insane, or idiotic" is not marked.
1880 Census, Hays Township, Mitchell County, Kansas (shown above)
Isaac (age 11) is marked as "deaf and dumb" and "idiotic." He did not attend school. He could not read or write. The box for "maimed, crippled, bedridden, or otherwise disabled" is not checked, indicating that Isaac could walk.
1885 Census, Hays Township, Mitchell County, Kansas (shown above)
Isaac (age 14) is "illiterate." The census record does not provide a place to mark any disability.
1900 Census, Walnut Creek Township, Mitchell County, Kansas (shown above)
Isaac (age 28) is a farm laborer who is able to "read" and "write" but not able to "speak English."
At some point between 1903 and 1910, Isaac was sent to live at the newly-opened State Hospital for Epileptics in Parsons, Kansas, now the Parsons State Hospital and Training Center. This may have happened when John Johnson had a stroke in about 1902 or when he died in 1904, or shortly thereafter.
“The Hospital opened in 1903 as a State Hospital for Epileptics. In 1957 the Hospital was renamed Parsons State Hospital and Training Center and began providing programs for individuals with mental retardation.”
Parsons is 288 miles and 4 ½ hours (today) from Glen Elder by the most direct route. I doubt that Cornelia made many visits to see Isaac after he was sent to live at Parsons.
1910 Census, Parsons Ward 4, Labette County, Kansas
Isaac (age 40) was an "inmate" at the Kansas State Hospital for Epileptics at Parsons, Kansas. He could not read or write. Isaac could not speak English. He had no trade or occupation.
1920 Census, Parsons Ward 4, Labette County, Kansas
Isaac is a "patient" at the Kansas State Hospital for Epileptics at Parsons. He worked as a Mangle Man in the Laundry. Isaac could not speak English and was unable to read or write. Marital status: Single.
1930 Census, Parsons, Labette County, Kansas
Isaac (age 54 [though Isaac was closer to 60 years old]) was an "inmate" at the Kansas State Hospital for Epileptics at Parsons. He did not have an occupation.
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| 1910 Census, Parsons Ward 4, Labette County, Kansas |
1910 Census, Parsons Ward 4, Labette County, Kansas
Isaac (age 40) was an "inmate" at the Kansas State Hospital for Epileptics at Parsons, Kansas. He could not read or write. Isaac could not speak English. He had no trade or occupation.
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| 1920 Census, Parsons Ward 4, Labette County, Kansas |
1920 Census, Parsons Ward 4, Labette County, Kansas
Isaac is a "patient" at the Kansas State Hospital for Epileptics at Parsons. He worked as a Mangle Man in the Laundry. Isaac could not speak English and was unable to read or write. Marital status: Single.
from Wikipedia:
A mangle (as it is called in the United Kingdom) or wringer (as it is called in the United States) is a mechanical laundry aid consisting of two rollers in a sturdy frame, connected by cogs and, in its home version, powered by a hand crank or electrically. While the appliance was originally used to wring water from wet laundry, today mangles are used to press or flatten sheets, tablecloths, kitchen towels, or clothing and other laundry.
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| 1930 Census, Parsons, Labette County, Kansas |
1930 Census, Parsons, Labette County, Kansas
Isaac (age 54 [though Isaac was closer to 60 years old]) was an "inmate" at the Kansas State Hospital for Epileptics at Parsons. He did not have an occupation.
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| Isaac Johnson's grave at the Parsons State Hospital Cemetery is marked only by this small metal plate. |
13 June 1935
Isaac A. Johnson died while living at the Parsons State Hospital and is buried in the Parsons State Hospital Cemetery. His grave, like most there, is marked only by a small metal plate. Plot: Grave No. 327. To find the grave, one needs to count the graves from the end of each row to number 327.
Isaac A. Johnson died while living at the Parsons State Hospital and is buried in the Parsons State Hospital Cemetery. His grave, like most there, is marked only by a small metal plate. Plot: Grave No. 327. To find the grave, one needs to count the graves from the end of each row to number 327.
“Parsons State Hospital Cemetery is located on 32nd
Street, about 1 1/2 miles north of Main Street. Located Next to Mt. Calvary
Cemetery.
There is no sign for the State Hospital Cemetery, just a gate with
red-brick columns. Few headstones, most graves marked with a metal plate, many
with no names.
These names were transcribed from a list that is
at the Parsons City Library. The list contains Grave No.; Deceased Name; Date
of Death.” (findagrave.com)
Interestingly, Eugene and Isaac's younger brother, Clarence, also spent his final years at a state institution. (obituary)
Early State Hospitals in Kansas
from Kansas Department for Children & Families web site
http://www.dcf.ks.gov/Agency /Pages/DCFHistory/Pre-Executive-Reorganization-Order-1.aspx
Interestingly, Eugene and Isaac's younger brother, Clarence, also spent his final years at a state institution. (obituary)
Early State Hospitals in Kansas
from Kansas Department for Children & Families web site
http://www.dcf.ks.gov/Agency /Pages/DCFHistory/Pre-Executive-Reorganization-Order-1.aspx
The state hospital system is nearly as old as Kansas itself.The Wyandotte Constitution of 1859 mandated the state to foster and support institutions for “the benefit of the insane, blind, deaf and dumb, and such other benevolent institutions as the public good may require.”
To this end, the Kansas Insane Asylum, now known as Osawatomie State Hospital was established in 1866 by the legislature as a reward to the City of Osawatomie for its role in the Civil War.
Within ten years, Osawatomie became so crowded Governor Osborne approved legislation allocating funding for an additional “asylum for the insane,” and Topeka State Hospital opened its doors in 1879.
The State Asylum for Idiotic and Imbecile Youth opened in Lawrence in 1881, and moved to Winfield in 1887. It was renamed the State Home for the Feeble-Minded in 1909, and renamed again in 1920 to become the State Training School.
In 1903 the legislature established the State Hospital for Epileptics in Parsons, which received most of its patients from Osawatomie and Topeka. The hospital officially became the Parsons State Training School in 1953.
Larned State Hospital opened in 1914 to provide care and treatment for the mentally ill in the western part of the state. The Hospital took on additional responsibilities with the opening of the State Security Hospital in 1939.