On Sunday, July 6, 1930, the Johnson family of southern Knox County suffered a double tragedy when they lost two of their menfolk.  Prominent Johnson Township farmer Clark Johnson, 79, passed away at home, the result of a stroke.  It was his second and it had been reported that he had been in ill health for some time prior to his death.  Clark was born February 29, 1852 in Knox County, the third of four sons to Thomas and Catherine (Lane) Johnson.  Clark also had several half-brothers and sisters, most of which had resided in the area.  He married Louisa Bailey on December 31, 1876 in Knox County and she survived him.  Together they had 8 children, 5 of which who were still living, and numerous grandchildren.

Also losing his life on that day was Clark’s grandson, Lawrence Tewalt.  The 20 year old apparently was at the family farm keeping vigil at his grandfather’s bedside, after possibly partaking in festivities over the Fourth of July holiday.  At some point he decided to get some relief from the July heat and went for a swim in the nearby White River with his younger brother and several cousins.  He became fatigued and went under, not resurfacing.  It took several hours for the neighbors to recover the body.  He was born in 1909 to William and Bessie (Johnson) Tewalt in Knox County.  He married his young widow Elsie Dunning in 1929.  They were residing in Terre Haute where Lawrence worked in a glass factory.  He also left behind a brother, Donald, and two sisters, Evelyn and Julie.

Services for both men were held on July 8^th at the Decker Methodist Church.  Clark was interred at Greenlawn Cemetery while Lawrence was laid to rest in Fairview Cemetery.

Note: Clark Johnson was a first cousin of my third great grandmother, Sarah Roderick Thompson.