John’s first wife, Ida Lee, developed uremic poisoning while carrying the twins, probably contributing to their somewhat premature birth. The stress proved too much.

Soon after their birth, Ida Lee died. The weather was bitterly cold and stormy.

John and his father, Jacob, with help from Ida’s parents, worked valiantly to keep the twins alive. Their efforts seemed for naught, in but a few days one died, followed a few days later by the other. All three were buried in the Old Johnsonville Cemetery, although the babies’ graves are now unmarked.

This big, brawny blacksmith was struck yet another blow, when his father succumbed to pneumonia contracted while helping with Ida and the babies. Now he had only one tiny, precious little daughter left!

We are told that Callie (wife #2) was an accomplished woodcarver and also pursued other crafts. For a time they operated a novelty, curio shop in the Oklahoma City area. John was sometimes employed as a well driller also.

He is mostly described as an easy going, jovial fellow who loved a practical joke. He must also have been a restless, adventurous man, always on the move.

John’s grave in the Alamosa Cemetery at Alamosa, Co., is designated with a marker in the shape of a tree stump made by Callie. Its name plate is now missing.

The children of John and Callie seem to have drifted apart as they became grown. Alas we have only bits and pieces of information about most of them and believe that there may be descendants that we do not have record of. There are indications that alcohol may have been a problem in this family (Eitniear, 1986, p. 69).

Ida Lee Hollingsworth