August Johnson (1848-1926)

Headstone GPS Coordinates: 

Birth: 04 September 1848, Öland, Sweden

Death: 02 January 1926, Silverdale, Kitsap County, Washington

Relatives in Seabeck Cemetery: Brita Louisa Johnson (née Andersen), Hulda Andersen (née Johnson), Carl Albert Johansen/Johnson, Emel Andersen, Emma Andersen, 

American Revolutionary War Patriots*: None

John August Johnson was born on September 4, 1848, in Öland, Sweden. The names of his Swedish parents are unknown. Around 1871, he married Brita Louisa Anderson, who was also born on Öland on September 20, 1848. Together they had six children. Hulda Kristina (1873), Emil John (1875), Gustav Adolph (1876), and Selma (1879) were all born in Sweden. Their daughter Alice was born in Silverdale, Washington, in 1889, and their youngest son, Carl Albert, was born in Seabeck in 1891.

August arrived alone in New York City in 1880. From there, he traveled west to Kitsap County, Washington, where he initially settled at Anderson Landing. Louisa and the children followed in 1887. August worked as a logger, felling trees throughout the Silverdale area, and as a commercial fisherman.

Great-grandchildren of August and Louisa later shared memories and family accounts of the couple’s lives. According to these recollections, August first arrived in New York and began searching for a way of life familiar to his family—particularly logging and fishing. This is believed to be what led him to discover and choose the Pacific Northwest, though the specific reason he selected Kitsap County remains unknown. He initially settled at Anderson’s Landing, after which the family chose Silverdale as their permanent home. August built a house there and continued working as both a logger and a commercial fisherman. The family also dug clams and sold them. They were successful in building homes, forming friendships, and becoming active members of the community, especially through involvement with local schools.

In 1897, tragedy struck when their four-year-old son, Carl Albert Johansen (using the Swedish spelling of the surname), died from unknown causes. He was the first family member buried at Seabeck Cemetery. 

A written account also mentions August and Louisa’s eldest child, “Annie,” who worked as a nurse and died of tuberculosis before 1900. Annie was likely Hulda Kristina, their eldest daughter, who had married Oluf Andersen. She was buried in Seabeck Cemetery near her younger brother Carl.

On April 21, 1904, Louisa died at the age of 55 from what was described as “stomach trouble.” She was buried with a beautifully carved obelisk headstone inscribed, “Farewell mother sweet thy rest.”

In the 1910 census, August was living in Silverdale with his 20-year-old daughter Alice and was listed as not employed. In 1912, Alice married Christian Thorson, and August continued to live with the couple. The 1920 census records him as the “father-in-law” of the head of household, Christian Thorson, residing with Alice and their children.

On Friday, December 25, 1925, the Kitsap County Herald reported that August was ill:

“Mr. Aug. Johnson, father of Mrs. Thorsen, is confined to his bed. It is hoped that he recovers soon.”

Eight days later, on January 2, 1926, August died at the age of 77 from “fever” and “senility.” He was buried beside Louisa at Seabeck Cemetery, marked with a simple flat stone inscribed only with the word “Father.” His obituary appeared in the Kitsap County Herald on Friday, January 15, 1926:

Silverdale Pioneer Passes Away

John August Johnson, one of the pioneers of Kitsap County, died at the home of his daughter,  Mrs. Chris Thorsen, of Silverdale, on December 2, after an illness of about three months. Mr. Johnson  came to this country about forty years ago, from Sweden. His wife died about twenty-two years ago.

The deceased leaves two sons, two daughters, fourteen grandchildren and three great-grandchildren to mourn his departure.

Mr. Johnson was one of the men that young and old have great love and respect for—always making all happy that were around him, and until his late illness making himself useful.

The services were held at the M. E. Church on January 6, Rev. Grauer officiating. The choir sang some  favorite songs of our friends. Interment was held at the Seabeck cemetery. The floral offerings were many and choice. We shall miss this father, neighbor and friend.