Johnson, Elizabeth S., 1992 June 25, Lancaster, Wisconsin:
Recorded interview and transcript available online.: Elizabeth (Schreiner) Johnson was born on August 26, 1918, in Lancaster, Wisconsin. Her mother's background was Norwegian, while her father's was German. She was raised in Lancaster, Wisconsin. Ms. Johnson had one brother, David, who was killed during the last days of fighting during World War II in the Pacific. She attended elementary school and high school in Lancaster. She then attended Beloit College, where she received her degree in education in 1939. Following graduation, Ms. Johnson taught kindergarten for a year in Beloit. In 1940, she married Harold (Hal) Johnson. After living in Madison, Wisconsin, for a year while Hal completed his graduate degree, the couple moved to Terre Haute, Indiana. The couple had three children born in 1942, 1945, and 1947. Ms. Johnson is a member of the Congregational church. The family moved to St. Louis immediately following the war. After numerous moves around the country, the couple has retired to Lancaster.
Ms. Johnson begins the interview by describing her family's reaction to the attack on Pearl Harbor. She then talks about the first changes; her brother enlisting in the military, and the beginning of rationing. She recalls sharing and exchanging coupons with friends, except for meat coupons, which were very scarce. She describes her feelings about her husband Hal's draft notice, and his efforts to obtain a deferment. She also talks about getting assistance from the grocer, and victory gardens. She expresses her belief that rationing was a political action as well as a necessity. She talks about social activities for women during the war, including mending, and war project knitting. The family also depended on bicycle transportation in an effort to save gas. Ms. Johnson talks about her reaction to Hal's request for deferment based on his position as a conscientious objector, as well as his brother's. She also talks about reactions from friends and neighbors.
Ms. Johnson describes her wedding in 1940, at home in Lancaster. She recalls her father's reaction to Hal's request for her hand in marriage, and her agreement to teach for a year after graduation before getting married. She then describes their apartment in Madison, prior to moving to Terre Haute. She describes the couple's social life in Madison, focused on Her brother David during football season. She talks about the group of wives from the Chemistry Department, and the social interaction with professors in the department.
Ms. Johnson describes the social networks that offered support while in Terre Haute, in particular a nurse who lived next door to the family. She talks about attending the Congregationalist church, which Hal attended with her, despite his membership with the Christadelphians. She then talks about her feelings surrounding her brother's enlistment in the military. She describes a family gathering prior to David being sent overseas in which the family celebrated all the forthcoming holidays at one time. Ms. Johnson also talks about the financial situation of her own family while in Terre Haute. She then returns to thoughts about her brother's death at the end of the war near the time of V-J Day. She also talks about corresponding with her brother during the war. She recalls the community response to her brother, as a football hero, as well as a hard-working and well-liked young man. She concludes by talking briefly about how her life was affected by the war.
