Great-grandma,
Zwaantje Johnson Holtzman
"I was assigned to Forreston. But oh such experiences I made this time... In this year 1897 I went through deep waters of tribulations. In July 14th my dear wife died and was buried in Forreston. Such a sad time, left with 3 small children." (J.L.'s memoir) "March 1904 I was married to Sringa Johnson..." (J.L.'s memoir) (Complete memoir.) The oldest of many children, Zwaantje dutifully stayed at home, single, and helped with the younger children. She owned a tailor shop in Forreston, Illinois, employing as many as 24 women at times. It was at Forreston, that J.L. buried his sickly, first wife. It was also at Forreston, that J.L. met Zwaantje Johnson (age 37), a member of his mission, and whom he later married in Sterling, in 1904, where he was pastoring Zion Evangelical Church. Years 1897, 1898, and 1900 of J.L.'s diary survive. (Click on links for entire diary for each year.) Following are a few excerpts relating to his loneliness after the loss of his wife, and the subsequent courting of Zwaantje:
April 22, 1897: [Came to Forreston and] "moved into the parsonage."
April 23, 1897: "Setting up today. Miss Johnson helped us yesterday and today."
July 13, 1897: "Mother embraced us and gave us a parting kiss."
July 14, 1897: "Dear wife almost gone. Doctor came about 4:00. Our Ma died at 4:30 p.m."
July 24, 1897: "Oh, how sad and lonely I feel. I can scarcely collect my thoughts to study the Word for tomorrow. Tina and I drove to the cemetery."
December 25, 1897: "Oh, lonely Christmas."
March 29, 1898: "Had a confidential chat with Ginga Johnson."
March 30, 1898: "Went to Freeport to see Tina and Earl (teen children who were boarded out). O I am so sad. My home is broken up. Came back this forenoon."
April 2, 1898: "Had a good time with Miss G. J. But I knew what she'd say."
April 9, 1898: "2 hours social chat with ---------"
April 11, 1898: "Spent 2 hours with Z. chatting."
April 18, 1898: "Appointments read tonight. I go to Winslow Mission. Received letter from G."
April 20, 1898: "Was packing today. Was at Johnsons. Probably the last time for some time to come. G. is good company."
Ginga (Zwaantje) and J.L. were married in 1904.
Bishop's Evangelical Church
Corner of Birch and 1st, Forreston
Built in 1870 for $6,800, services were held in German at 10:00 and in English at 3:00. Known as Bishop's Church because three of its former pastors became bishops, the building was torn down to make way for the present building in 1925. A parsonage was bought in 1874 for $1,200.
