Janson: Eugen Janson 1878-1940

Over the years, I've often wondered about Eugene, the Janson brother who was two years older than (grandpa) Anton. He died before WWII, nine years before I was born, in a completely different era of American history.

I wonder about him because he never married, but never seemed to make a home of his own (like Wendelin did). Was Eugene shy or "slow"? In that family, the two sisters who "weren't farm wife material" were sent to the convent, but what did you do with a less-able son?

All we have is what Anton wrote about Eugene in his book. Anton was 23, "a hard worker, and led by lofty aspirations", and his dad was "a rheumatic invalid":

"Together with my ambitious and honest brother Eugene, I took over. Out of sheer enjoyment of doing it, he and I rehabilitated the homestead during the subsequent ten years, at the same time helping everyone of our family of eight to a generous start in life. The well-being of others was our primary aim.

On this opportunity I shall pause to honor the memory of my dearest brother Eugene; to give evidence of respect which I held for him.

Like father before him, Eugene was honest. His sincerity, modesty and unassuming disposition; his unswerving loyalty to the Principals of Right and Justice has earned him the right to respectful commemoration by posterity. Eugene was a strong as well as a beautiful character, faithful and brave, unafraid to lift his voice against tyranny and oppression, for which I always entertained the highest regard for him".

(I think grandpa's brothers and sisters would have debated his assessment...lol (italics, above). Anton was 23 in 1903, and Eugene was 25. The family had returned from trying to farm in Virginia. Wendelin was in LA sending money home to help keep the farm going, and Sebastian had married in 1898 (I think he was in Wadena by 1903...?). Francie married John Brandl that year, but Rose didn't marry Joe Brandl until 1914. We're not sure about when Sophie and Anna left Buckman for the Campbellsport convent, but it was probably about this time that they were both finally "taken care of")

Anyway, all of this is by way of explaining something Larry brought up last night--in the 1920 census, Eugene and his mother are living in town with Joe and Rose, and Eugene is working in the Brandl Garage.