the early years
Papa was born Robert Lee Johnson Jr. on 8/31/1914 in Aledo, Texas to Robert Lee Sr
and Mary Ella (Griscom) Johnson. Papa never actually went by the name Robert, but
was known growing up as Lee Jr. His first year was spent
in Aledo, his second in Plainview, Texas, and then the Johnson's moved in 1916 to
Branson, Colorado, where Robert Sr started an Automobile
Garage in town. It was there in Branson that brother James Yeamans was born in 1920, just
prior to Papa's 6th birthday.
At that time farming and ranching were an obvious way to try and make a living.
With the assistance of the Homestead Act of 1862 (the Act granted citizens acreage -
originally allowing for 160 acres and later enlarged to 640 acres - of public
land provided they live on it and improve it for at least a 5 year period at which
time they could receive the deed to the property), Robert Sr arranged for the Homestead
of 640 acres in nearby Kim, Colorado in 1920, soon after JY was born. The goal was
to be a rancher, raising and selling cattle. Papa started school in Kim in 1920, at the
age of 6.
In 1925 Papa's mother Mary Ella, 36, was beginning to suffer from the
initial effects of what was later diagnosed as Multiple Sclerosis (originally recognized
in the USA in 1878). At the time she was pregnant with Papa's only sister Frances;
this was just before Papa's 11th Birthday. In his Mother's case MS slowly disrupted
the central nervous system with symptoms including vision loss and paralysis; by the 1940's
she was permanently confined to a wheel chair.
In October of 1929 came the Great Depression. Although it seemed that the Depression did not bother the families living off the land in Kim, its implications in terms of Government support would play a larger role later in Papa's life.
On 2/17/1930, 6 months before Papa's 16th birthday, his father Robert Sr passed away in La Junta, CO due to pneumonia. Robert Sr had just turned 40 years of age.
The hardships were obvious: a mother of 3 (ages 4, 9, and 15), suffering from Multiple Sclerosis, with a 640 acre family ranch and about 300 head of cattle to manage. The next 6 years would prove to be some of the most difficult endured by the family, and by Papa in particular. He had to deal with, on the one hand, the responsibilities as the eldest male in the house, and on the other hand the contradicting forces of teenage rebelliousness and irresponsibility. A contentious relationship with his Mother was only made worse (in the firm belief of Papa) by the Murphy's, neighbors of the Johnson's who would constantly pester Mary Ella with stories of Lee Jr's escapades (which, Papa swears in his later years, were always exaggerated). After some time Lee Jr. felt that his mother had lost trust in him, due in part to the Murphy's, and his stubborn response was to be the bad boy that they portrayed him as.
Papa ended up quitting High School after his Daddy passed away. While it seems obvious that such a step was required to help take care of the family and ranch, the fact is that it was important to Papa's mother that he finish High School (she was terribly disappointed when I quit, Papa said later). There was likely too much stubbornness on Papa's behalf which caused him to decide on his own to quit school. At the time Papa was bothered by jealousy towards his brother JY; Mary Ella had been a middle child who did not get much attention growing up, and she had said on different occasions that she would spoil her middle child to somehow make up for her loss, and this behavior (whether true or perceived) became a thorn in the relationship between Papa and his Mother.
The years immediately following the death of his father were spent handling the many
chores on the ranch, but there was also sufficient enough time to hang out with friends,
looking for trouble (drinking and gambling was not out of the ordinary). It was this
wayward route that caused Papa to decide, on his own (although the positive influence
of Papa's friend Phoebe was a large factor; she and her brothers were able to get Papa a
job as a custodian to cover tuition.) at the age of 19 to go to Heston, Kansas
and attend the Heston College and Bible School for one year with the
Mennonites, from 1933-1934.
[The Kansas Mennonites came mostly from Russia; considered as being similar to Quakers, and roughly falling under the Christian umbrella, they are distinguished for their plainness in dress, economy in their domestic arrangements, and their industry, thrift, and frugality. It is against their principles to vote or hold office, and they believe that members of the church are not at liberty to marry with unbelievers. The Mennonites will not bear arms or take an oath, and are usually hospitable to strangers, take them in and treat them kindly without compensation.]
In 1934, Papa returned from Kansas a more grounded and calm man, and over time things became a little better between he and his Mother.
Nana had a single sister Fairy, born in 1924, and around 1933 the family moved to Kim
so that Nana could attend High School. (Nana - unlike Papa - wasn't big at reminiscing,
so it was always difficult to get more details from her).
Once at Kim Nana was deeply involved in her High School classes (her freshman
class numbered 47, sophomore class 36, and the graduating senior class 9 students).
She participated with the school newspaper and yearbook (The Stinger), as well as with
different clubs (Glee, Drama) and sports (baseball, basketball, track).
At Graduation Nana read the Class Will, to include a bequeathal of her own:
Nana was born Flossy Ethel Droke on 6/12/1918 in Branson,
Colorado. Although born in Branson, the Droke family was living in Villagreen, a
few miles North East of Branson. Nana's father Charles was making an attempt at
farming, although the land was inhospitable and the rewards few. After some time
Charles started to work for the County, grading the roads in the area.
