Monday, September 1, 2008

JÓN JÓNASSON - September 2008


Jon Jonasson was born 24 September 1857 at Rimakot, Kross, Rangarvalla, the son of Jonas Jonsson, born 1 February 1823, died 27 October 1885; and Gudrun Thorkelsdottir, born 4 August 1825, died 23 February 1899. Jon’s father Jonas Jonsson was the director of the poor-law district of Onundastadir, Kross, Rangarvalla. Jon joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was baptized by Elder Einar Eiriksson 18 June 1886. Jon immigrated to Spanish Fork, Utah later that month.
Jon married Gudny Sigurdardottir, born 22 November 1860; her parents are Sigurdur Sigurdsson, born 6 August 1833, died 29 October 1885; and Sigridur Petursdottir, born 30 August 1830 at Holmahjaleigu, Kross, Rangarvalla, died 26 December 1903 at Olafshus, Vestmannaeyjar. They were married 29 November 1886 in Spanish Fork, Utah. Their first home was a dugout or a hole in the ground covered with a thatched roof. Jon followed the sheep-shearing business, where he earned enough to meet his expenses. He then purchased a farm in the river-bottoms at the mouth of Spanish Fork Canyon; he farmed there for a few years and then sold the land and bought a farm in Palmyra, Utah.
Through the years Jon worked not only as a farmer but also as a carpenter. He was known as a man that everyone could trust. He was a devout member of his church and attended his meetings faithfully. He had an excellent voice and spent many evenings singing from his hymn book. He also sang songs from his childhood in his native tongue.
Jon and Gudny had nine children: John Karl, Ellen Olive, Samuel, Sara Ann Margret, Eystein, Joseph Franklin, Daniel, Sigurosa and Gudrun Jane. All the children died while still young, John Karl lived the longest, he was fifty when he died.
Jon, an industrious man worked continually until a few weeks before his death. While working on a new home he fell, seriously injuring his back, which resulted in his death, 17 October 1929. In Utah Jon went by John C. Johnson, he is number 182 in Icelanders of Utah.
Some of the descendants of John C. Johnson are: past presidents of the Icelandic Association of Utah, John K Johnson and Michael Hutchings; Pamela Helsten; and Carol Johnson. If you are a descendant of John C. let me know and I will add you to the list.

14 comments:

icelander32448 said...

Jon Jonasson was my great grandfather. I've only got the picture of the family that this was taken from and the info mentioned. Any other info or pictures would be greatly appreciated. I can download scanned pictures. Proud to be Icelandic in Florida!

Bob K said...

Jon is my 4th cousin, 4 times remove. Our common ancestor is Magnus Olafsson (b-1703) who is my 7th Great grandfater. I would love to meet other Icelander family members and get and share family history information.

Lehigrams said...

I am proud to say that it was my great grandfather that baptized this man. Also, know Pam Helsten who was his relative. Thanks again for an interesting bio.

larryur said...

Jon Jonasson was my great grandfather too. I have heard some people say that they are direct descendants of Leif Eiriksson (Gunnar Eggertsson, for example - the Icelander that recently sailed his own viking ship from Reykjavik to North America), and I have seen others on genealogical sites say they can trace their line back to Leif Eiriksson as well. I have also heard one person say that they had found a direct link from Leif Eiriksson down to Jon Jonasson. Unfortunately, I have never been able to contact any of these people directly. I would like to see if I could trace my line (through Jon Jonasson) back to Leif Eiriksson so if anyone has a clue as to how I can do that please let me know about it. Thanks.

Unknown said...

Jón Jónasson 1857-1929 was the brother of my great-grandmother Gudrun Jónasdóttir 1855-1936 on my mothers side of the family here in Iceland.

Larry said...

Kristján, Jon Jonasson 1857-1929 was my great grandfather. I just got back from my first trip to Iceland last month and visited some of my distant relatives. I was wondering if you knew any of them: Georg Olafsson, Kristin Georgsdottir, and Silla Sigmarsdottir. Kristin and Silla both live on the island of Heimaey.

Unknown said...

Hi Larry, no I´m sorry I don´t know them. But I know who Georg is. I was born on Heimaey but moved from there in 1966. I will ask my 83 years old mother, she knows every one.

Larry said...

Thanks Kristján, They were such nice people and made my first and only trip to Iceland a memorable one. They are distant relatives I never knew I had, but was glad to find.

Unknown said...

john c. Johnson is my great grandfather. I want to travel to Iceland and would be interested in any information regarding relatives that remain in Iceland.

Larry said...

Hi Joe,

John C. Johnson (Jonas Jonasson) is also my great grandfather. Tell me your line down from John C. Johnson. In other words, which one of John C. Johnson and Gudny Sigurdsdottir's children are you descended from? I am descended from Samuel Johnson. Also, just out of curiosity, where do you live?

icelander32448 said...

Hi Larry,
Got your email. Joseph Franklin Johnson was my grandfather. His youngest child, David Daniel Johnson, is my father. I live in the panhandle of Florida.

Larry said...

Hi icelander32448,

Your grandfather, Joseph Franklin Johnson was the younger brother of my grandfather Samuel Johnson. That makes us second cousins. My father is Don Johnson, son of Samuel Johnson. My father says that his favorite cousins were Fred and Jay, apparently older brothers of your father David Daniel Johnson. My genealogy shows Joseph Franklin Johnson's children as Fred, Jay, Geraldine, Ione, and Melvin, but I don't see a David Daniel listed. Was David Daniel's mother Juanita?

icelander32448 said...

David's mother was Juanita. There are 2 other children. Marvin is Melvin's twin brother and there is another sister named Janet. Dad, Janet and Marvin are the only ones still living.

Arien Nay said...

I am a descendant of Jon C. Johnson. His daughter Sara Ann Margaret Johnson is my great grandmother. Please add me to this list. Thanks