Signe Ovidia Grue ²⁴⁵⁵

   Another name for Signe was Signe Ovedia Grue.

  Research Notes:

1. child/marriage ? --- familysearch.org; ; MN Death Collection 1835-1990

- lists a child, William Taylor, died 21 Jan 1911; born 1911; mother Signe Grue, father Jask Taylor; place of death as Pine Lake, Clearwater Co, MN ; likely the father's given name is Jack and the 'Jask' is a transcription error
- there is no Jack Taylor at Grand Forks, ND 1909-1914, but there are 3-4 John Taylors (US City Directories on ancestry)

and then, MN birth index at mnhs.org, William Taylor, born 26 Dec 1910 at Clearwater Co, MN; mother's maiden name, Grue


2. Death ?????

Signe O Johnson, born 1888 and died 1952, Sunset Memorial, Minneapolis, MN - findagrave
MN Death index for 1952 - Signe Johnson, 4 Aug 1952. Hennepin Co

https://www.lib.umn.edu/newspapers; Minneapolis Tribune, 1950-1954 obit card index , 32 pages - no index
- "death" card index - records any article with death involved, but no names are recorded


- see point 6, re; Minneapolis city directories

Summary: Although the evidence of the death (MN Death index, findagrave, and Minneapolis City Directories) of Signe Grue (married to Anton J Johnson) is very marginal, I am concluding that her death is 4 Aug 1952 and that she was buried/cremated at Sunset Memorial Park/Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN.


3. Ancestry public member trees

DJMoulen
link, to Louis Sophie Johnson - her mother, Signe Grue, daughter of Claus and Oline Sophie Grue
http://person.ancestry.com/tree/23293571/person/12724738791/facts


also: 'Renfrew Family Tree', owner dsrenfrew with last sign in on 29 Apri 2016
link, http://person.ancestry.com/tree/18785219/person/20008204856/facts
- family relationship likely through daughter Signe Ovedia who was married to Anton John Johnson and their daughter, Louise Sophie Johnson married to William Brooke Renfrew

also: Renfrew Family Tree, owner debbiemeyering with last login 8 May 2016
link, http://person.ancestry.com/tree/6812748/person/6024020528/facts
- - family relationship likely through daughter Signe Ovedia who was married to Anton John Johnson and their daughter, Louise Sophie Johnson married to William Brooke Renfrew
-- also has a number of photos attached to either Brook or Louise

**** See folders on my PC: Grue Family Tree - John T Grue - Claus J Grue - Signe Grue-Johnson
through Ancestry member connect, I had contact debbiemeyering in 2016 - she reponded in Jan 2021 and I responded back:
- I reviewed Debbie Meyering FT - Renfrew FT and she has posted a marriage record from North Dakota: married, 16 Feb 1914 at Wahepton, Richland Co, ND
- there are some other updates

Minneapolis Star Tribune, issue 6 Aug 1952, page 19 [newspapers.com]
- died 4 Aug 1952 at age 63; lived at 2550 Central Ave, Minneapolis
- survived by husband, Anton; son Einar and daughter Mrs Louis Rinfew [Louise Renfrew]
- survived by 4 brothers and 3 sisters [not named]
- interment Sunset [findagrave id, 134242782]

Anton J Johnson, obit: Minneapolis Star Tribune, issue 7 Geb 1962, page 66
- died at age 70; lived at 2550 Central Ave NE, Minneapolis
- survived by son Einar of Pennsylvania; and daughter Mrs Brooke (Louise) Renfrew of California; 5 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren
- interment at Sunset [not recorded/photographed on findagrave]


--------------------------------------------------------------- some of the information below likely needs a review/re-do; 21 Jan 2021

4.

These 3 trees have detail information on a "possible" Signe Grue; However, there are some issues with the data

Part One: Data that is likely correct, re; Signe Grue

a. birth as 18 Dec 1888 on these trees, and this corresponds to church records at Elbow Lake, Grant Co, MN

b. "dsrenfrew" includes a document from Ancestry US Social Security Applications and Claims - Transciption only (the year of the application is not clear); original SSN (Social Security Number); this includes her name as Signe Ovidia Grue and in 1945 with Signe Ovidia Johnson; father as Claus Grue and Sophia Simonsen (a traditional Norwegian naming pattern), birth as 18 Dec 1888 at Wendell, Grant Co; are recorded, etc. BUT looking on ancestry, US SSDI index, no Signe Grue or Johnsson (possibly no claim made? or no SSN issued?;; familysearch.org lists a few individuals named Signe Johnson, but none with a birth date of 18 Dec 1889; nothing for Signe Grue

AND: transcription of US SSN application for son Einar Cornelius Johnson, birth as 11 Aug 1916 at Hankinson, ND; along with a claim at death, 11 Jan 2006; father: Anton J Johnson; mother: Signe Grue

c. Census
- 1910 US census, Grand Forks, ND; single working in a laundry; age 21 <1889> ;;; Signe isn't recorded 1909-1914 at Grand Forks, City Directories on ancestry
- 1920 US census, Enderlin, Ransom Co, ND -- all 3 trees have the same record:
Anton Johnson, age 28 <1892>, emigrated 1911, naturalization papers submitted; works as a Brakeman with Railroad
wife, Lena, age 31 <1889> born in MN; daughter, Louise age 4 yrs 11 months <Feb 1915>; son Einar 3 yr 5 ms <Aug 1916>; both children born in ND
- 1930 US, Harvey, Wells Co, ND -- all 3 trees have the same record:
Anton Johnson, age 39 <1891> in Norway, age of 1st marriage 22 <1913>, em 1911, Na, Boilermaker with Railroad;
wife Signora [? likely a misspelling of Signe ], age 40 <1890>, age at 1st marriage 23 <1913>, born in MN, parents born in Nor; Louise, daughter age 15 <1915> born in ND; Einer son age 13 <1917> born in ND
- 1940 US, Enderlin, Ransom Co, ND
Anton Johnson, age 49 <1891>, 4 yrs high school [ but born in Nor, so this is likely an estimate ] worked 20 hours wk of Mar 24, work 28 wks in 1939, private wages, as a Boilermaker with the Soo Line Round House, lived 1 Jun 1935 at Harvey, Wells Co, ND ; wife, Signe age 51 <1889>, grade 8, not working

NOTE: North Dakota State Census: 1925; Wells Co (ancestry image 265); Anton Johnson, age 33 <1892>, Signora age 30 [ ??] <1895>, Louise age 10 <1915>, Einer age 8 <1917>; 2 adults, 1 male and 1 female "foreign"; 2 citizens
North Dakota State: 1915 ND State; City of Hankinson, Richland Co (image 189, ancestry; see image 270 on familysearch for location of enumeration; dwelling 265, family 268), Anton, Signora, Louise, 1 foreign (Signe is not ticked, thus, native white female and assumed born in US; Louise is also ticked in this column

Census summary: a bit of a mixed bag. The only recording of the name Signe is in the 1940 Census. The name Signora is recorded in the 1930 US and in the ND State - it is possible that this was a misspelling or a version of Signe, although this seems unlikely. The birth years are likely close enough (with the exception of the 1925 ND State). The 1930 US includes the approximate date of marriage. Over-all, the level of confidence is low with the census information, although for Anton his occupation is pretty consistent. The year of his immigration is likely 1911, with 2 records noting this year and no record indicating something different. Additionally, the names, dates, and place of birth (that is, ND) for the two children Louise and Einer (Einar) are consistent.


d. a. Einar's obit , Jan 2006

- states, "...he was a son of the late Anton and Signe (Grue) Johnson."
- obit date of birth as 11 Aug 1916 at Hankinson, ND and Census info indicates born in ND

b. Louise's CA death index, transcription

- notes, mother's maiden name, "Grue" and father's surname Johnson; place of birth as ND

e. US WW I Draft Card

Anton John Johnson from US WW I draft card, 5 June 1917; birth as 31 may 1891, Bergen Norway; works as a Boiler Maker with Soo Line Railroad; employed at Hankinson, ND (home address is the same); married, wife and 2 children BUT wife and children NOT Named; requesting exemption


b. Norway Parish Registers Name: Anton Johan [Johannsen ??] birth 31 May 1891 at Bergen; father (matros = deckhand), Endre Johannsen (bor 1857) and mother, Louise Kristine Larsen born 1864


c. US World War II draft card Name: Anton John Johnson, born 31 May 1891, Norway; date of card, 26 Apr 1942;
Address: 2548 Central Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN; person who will always know your address: Mrs Signora Johnson, wife, same address; occupation/employer - Soo Line Shops, 29 and Central (First Nat Bldg Soo Line);

f. US City directories: Minneapolis, MN ; R L Polk (ancestry)
1942 - 1948 - Anton J Johnson, (Signe O), blrmkr Soo Line, home address 2550 Central Ave, apt 4 (image 289, ancestry)
1944 - Anton J Johnson, (Signe), blrmkr Soo Line, home address 2550 Central Ave, apt 4 (image 300, ancestry)
1948 - Anton J Johnson, (Signe), blrmkr Soo Line, home address 2550 Central Ave, apt 4 (image 348, ancestry)
1950 - Anton J Johnson, (Signa O) ; blrmkr Soo Line, home address 2550 Central Ave, apt 4 (image 317, ancestry)
1952 - Anton J Johnson, (Signe); blrmkr Soo Line, home address 2550 Central Ave, apt 4 (image 309, ancestry)
1953 - Anton J Johnson, (no wife); lab Soo Line, home address 2550 Central Ave, apt 4 (image 336, ancestry)
1955 - Anton J Johnson (no wife) ; no work, only same address (image 348, ancestry)
1956 - Anton J Johnson, (no wife); lab Soo Line, home address 2550 Central Ave, apt 4 (image 463, ancestry)
1957 - no entry
1958 - no entry
1959 - no entry
1960 - Anton J Johnson, (no wife, but some other names have wife) ; blrmkr Soo Line, home address 2550 Central Ave, apt 4 (image 482, ancestry)
NOTE - no additional directories after 1960 on ancestry
NOTE: google street view shows a two story brick building, possibly still from the early 1940's. There are 2 doors, the one on the left is a shop and number 2548; the one on the right is not numbered, but likely is 2550.

Summary: (1) Anton's wife Signe is recorded from 1948-1952 and then she isn't recorded again, although Anton is records - all the records have them living at the same residence. This leads some credence to the possibilty of her death in 1952 or 1952, and leads to the possibility that the findagrave record for Signe O Johnson (1888-1952) is quite possibly correct (see point 2 above). But of course it is not at all certain or proof. (2) these entries are likely correct and corresponds to the WW II draft card for Anton. (3) the last directory is for 1960.
These directories proove that Signe and Anton Johnson lived in Minneapolis. They do not however, prove that Signe was the daughter of Claus and Oline Sophie Grue or the location of their death.


g. Lutheran Churches in Minneapolis, close to 2550 Central Ave NE

Assuming that if Anton and Signe Johnson attended or were involved in a church in the 1940's, it would likely be a Lutheran church, likely of Norwegian background. I'm assuming that they would have gone to a church near close to where they lived. With these assumptions, I looked at nearby Lutheran Churches using google maps and internet searches for the various churches.

a). Gustav Adolphus Lutheran is the closest, however, this congregation's orgins are Swedish.
b). Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 3014 McKinley St, Minneapolis - about 2.5 kms
- Missouri Synod, but the congregration form in 1951, with the church being built in 1952-53
c). Mount Carmel Lutheran Church, 1701 St Anthony Pkwy, Minneapolis - about 2 kms
- ECLA, but can't find a history of the church or congregation - photo of the church suggests 1950-1960
d). St John's Lutheran, 610 Broadway St, NE, Minneapolis - about 2.5 kms
- currently part of Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, but earlier - photo of church buildin suggests prior to 1940
e). St Paul's ... , 2742 15 St South - about 10 kms and across the river and seems to be a bit far and more complicated route
- established in 1872, first as a Hauge Synod; history of church on US ECCL (ancestry), image 495

f). *** First Lutheran, 1555 40th Ave NE, about 4 kms; Ancestry's US Evangelical Lutheran Church records, note that this was first named Zoar Lutheran (image 88) and was a Lutheran Free Church from 1912-1962, then American Lutheran Church. Image 27 has a 25th anniversary booklet that indicates it started 1909 and from the names of the charter members it appears that it started by Norwegians; the booklet says very little. However, the filmstrip (about 1100 images) includes minutes of meetings, etc. with Ministerial Records from 1913-1948 ONLY, but NO records of births etc,

g). *** Bethany Lutheran, 2511 E Franklin Ave, - close to 10 KMs, across the river, a bit complicated route.
- likely Norwegian, started about 1902; Ancestry's US Evangelical Lutheran Church records from 1901-1920 ONLY (spelled Betania)

Summary: The most likely church is First Lutheran, but there are no records on line.

h. Burial and / or funeral homes, near 2550 Central Ave NE.

Sunset Memorial is close to their residence and (less than 4 kms), and as indicated in point #2 above, on findagrave there is a tombstone plaque for "Signe O Johnson" born 1888 and died 1952 (Hennepin Co, MN)
- the website notes that Sunset Memorial Park was established in 1922
- on 29 May 2016 at about 9:55 I sent an email through the website


Part Two: Data that maybe is questionable:

1. Anton and Signe's marriage is only sourced to the Census data, and even with this, her name is recorded as "Signora" except on the 1940 US

2. Louise's Marriage: from the 3 ancestry trees

- notes a Campbell Co, SD marriage card for Louise, but gives her name as Louise S. Johanneson ????, but her father was Anton Johan, so typical Norwegian naming pattern would be Johansdatter (but possibly later, Johannsen)

3. DJ Moulden tree - does not record name of son, Einar - only that he is living

4. DSRenfrew tree, re; son Einar - probably correct
- records Einar birth's and death, and middle name as Cornelias - probably accurate
- records Einar and his wife on a New York Passenger list for 2 Nov 1939 sailing from Bergen Norway with address in US as Grand Forks with the 1940 US census at Dulith, MN (works as a radio tech) and address in 1935 as Port Arthur, Texas
- records Einar C Johnson on a New York Passenger list for 4 Aug 1936 sailing from Olso with address in US as Harvey, ND
and notes he has a passport
- also records him as arriving in Newark, NJ on 3 May 1962 with US residence as Pennyback Rd, Hatboro PA - yr and place of birth the same

- Anton John Johnson from US WW I draft card, 5 June 1917; birth as 31 may 1891, Bergen Norway; works as a Boiler Maker with Soo Line Railroad; employed at Hankinson, ND (home address is the same); married, wife and 2 children BUT wife and children NOT Named; requesting exemption

dsrenfrew tree,
- THIS IS LIKELY NOT CORRECT : findagrave link - name as John Anton Johnson, death as 1978 at Dodge Center, Dodge Co, MN, BUT going to the link and findagrave website takes you to a brief note that this person is married to Clara Hempel in 1934 and they had one son, Duane; findagrave also has a photo

5. DebbieMeyering family tree

- THIS IS LIKELY NOT CORRECT : includes a copy of a US passport application for John Joakim Johnson, born 15 Aug 1889 in Norway, but this records his immigration to US as May of 1913 ("our Anton" emmigrated 1911) and that he lived from 1913-1919 at Minneapolis and that his permanent address is Minneapolis and his occupation as carpenter ("our Anton" lived in ND at this time and working as a boilermaker as late as 1940)

- 1930 US Census for Signe in Kittson Co, MN ???

- records a MN death cert for Anton J Johnson, birth as 31 May 1891, death as 6 Feb 1962 at Hennipen Co, MN; mother's maiden name as Larson -- see point 5 b - Norway birth record with mother as Kristina Larsen


6. conflicting death dates for Anton J Johnson
- debbiemeryering and dsrenfrew record his death as 6 Feb 1962 at Hennepin Co; both MN death record, with date of birth, death, and mother's maiden name as Larson

but djmolden, records his death as 1961 at Minneapolis , Anoka, MN ???

  Noted events in her life were:

1. Marriage - 1913, 1913, North Dakota, United States. ²³⁰⁸ It is assumed that Signe's marriage took place in North Dakota, although I have not found direct evidence. The year 1913 for her marriage is derived from the 1930 US Census. Signe's marriage (but not the date or the location) is recorded on the Ancestry.com Public Member Trees, and although these family trees do not provide a source, it appears that the marriage has been part of the descendants family oral tradition/history.

2. Death - 1952, 4 Aug 1952, Minneapolis, Hennepin Co, Minnesota, United States. ²⁴⁵⁹ The evidence of the death of Signe O Johnson (Grue), married to Anton J Johnson, is derived from the MN Death index, findagrave, and Minneapolis City Directories. However, the accuracy is very marginal, since I cannot prove that the person is in fact Signe Grue, the daughter of Claus and Sophia Grue. I am concluding that her death is 4 Aug 1952 and that she was buried/cremated at Sunset Memorial Park/Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN, and I will be entering this date in the Legacy database with a surety level of '0', that is, I'm not sure yet

Signe had a relationship with Jask Taylor.

Signe next married Anton John Johnson on 16 Feb 1914 in Wahepton, Richland Co, ND ^2308,2453.^,2454 (Anton John Johnson was born on 31 May 1891 in Norway ²³⁰⁸ and died on 6 Feb 1962 in Minneapolis, Hennepin Co, Minnesota, United States ²⁴⁶⁰.)