The family has wondered about the “step-brother” Clarence. George is married to Sophia Engelbrecht in December of 1879, if my detective work holds. They are listed together for the 1880 census, listing George as working in a foundry. Clarence was born in 1882 according to the handwritten paper. There was no record of his birth at the Cook County Courthouse. Not all births had to be registered at that time. His death certificate gives his birth date the same as the paper from the Bible. Then I assume that Sophia died before 1889 when George married Anna Julia Friese. What George did with Clarence if Sophia indeed died is a mystery. I have not found Clarence in the 1900 census as yet. Clarence is listed in the 1910 census living at 1926 Sedgwick St. in Chicago. His death certificate was very unhelpful as the person reporting the death knew he was married, but not to whom, did not know parents names and did not know birthplace. He was supposedly buried at Elmwood Cemetery in River Grove, Illinois but a letter to that facility returned stating there were no records on this person. Clarence's World War I Draft Registration states Genevieve as his wife. More research has located a child who was born to the couple and died as an infant.
©2012 Original narrative by Nancy Ratay

1900 Illinois, Cook County, Chicago, South Town, E.D. 1, sheet 9A
7995 Lake Street, Tremont Hotel, dwelling 57, family 101
listed employees
Johnson, C., boarder/servant, white, male, May 1881, age 19, single, born Illinois, parents born unknown, bellboy

1910 Illinois, Cook County, Chicago, E.D. 984, sheet 1B, visit #14, film T624-266 (taken 15 Apr 1910)
1926 Sedgwick St., dwelling 8, family 14
Johnston, Clarence, head, male, white, age 28, single, born Ohio, father born Michigan, mother born Iowa, teamster
-----------, George, father, male, white, age 53, married twice, born Michigan, father born Ohio, mother born Pennsylvania, molder in foundry
Martin, Clara, housekeeper, female, white, age 33, married once, mother of 3 children, 3 living, born Indiana, father born Ohio, mother born Ohio, housekeeper

1920 Illinois, Cook County, Chicago, Ward 4, E.D. 836, sheet 3B
152 Ashland Blvd., dwelling 22, family 64
Johnston, Clarence, head, rents, male, white, age 38, married, born Texas, parents born Texas, chauffeur, Yellow Cab Co.
------------, Jennie, wife, female, white, age 31, married, born Kansas, father born Michigan, mother born Kansas
------------, Helen, daughter, female, white, age 2 5/12, single, born Illinois, father born Texas, mother born Kansas