Harold Theodor Johnson

Who was Master Harold Theodor Johnson?

Master Harold Theodor Johnson was one of the youngest survivors of the Titanic disaster, having been just 4 years old when the ship sank in 1912. Born on January 28, 1908 in St. Charles, Illinois, Harold was the son of Swedish and Finnish immigrants who had come to America in search of a better life. His survival story and subsequent life experiences offer a unique perspective on one of history’s most infamous maritime tragedies.

Early Life and Family

Harold was born to Oscar Walfrid Theodor Johnson, a Swedish immigrant who arrived in the USA in 1901, and Aliina Vilhelmina Backberg, a Finnish immigrant who came to America around 1905. His parents married on April 6, 1907, and Harold was their firstborn child. By 1912, he had a younger sister, Eleanor Ileen, born in 1910.

The Johnson family lived at 254 Sixth Avenue in St. Charles, Illinois, where Harold’s father worked various jobs, including as a journalist, in a bowling alley, and as a barman. This diversity of occupations hints at the challenges immigrant families faced in establishing themselves in early 20th century America.

The Fateful Journey

In early 1911, Harold, his mother, and sister returned to Finland to visit his dying grandfather. Tragically, the grandfather passed away before they could reach him. With plans to return to America, Harold’s mother wrote to his father in Illinois, informing him that they would be traveling aboard the Titanic and expected to arrive in New York on April 18, 1912.

Titanic Voyage Details:

Class: 3rd Class
Ticket Number: 347742
Cabin: Unknown
Ticket Price: £11 2s
Port of Embarkation: Southampton

For the journey, Harold’s mother was escorting two Swedish girls across the Atlantic. While initially reported as sisters of Harold’s father, it’s now believed these women were Helmina Nilsson and Elin Braf, both from his father’s birthplace of Ramkvilla.

The Night of the Sinking

On the fateful night of April 14-15, 1912, Harold’s mother took him and Eleanor to the upper decks, accompanied by their two charges. The family is believed to have escaped in one of the aft starboard lifeboats, possibly lifeboat 13 or 15.

A dramatic moment unfolded as they boarded the lifeboat:

Elin Braf, who was holding on to little Harold, remained on deck frozen in fear and would not follow. Alice had to call out for Harold and eventually the young boy was pulled from Elin’s arms and pushed into the boat, Elin remaining behind.

This heart-wrenching scene illustrates the chaos and difficult decisions made in the moments of crisis. Harold, at just 4 years old, was saved while others were left behind.

Life After the Titanic

How did the Titanic experience impact Harold’s family?

The Titanic disaster had profound effects on the Johnson family:

Harold’s father received news of their survival via telegram and fainted from emotion.
The community rallied to raise over $100 for Harold’s father to travel to New York and reunite with his family.
The family resettled in St. Charles, Illinois, where they welcomed another child, Herbert, in 1913.

Tragically, Harold’s father Oscar died on October 31, 1917, at just 35 years old. His mother remarried twice, first briefly to Hans Thorvald Amundson in 1918, and then to Carl Oscar Peterson in 1920. These marriages resulted in a large blended family, with Harold gaining several half-siblings and step-siblings.

Career and Personal Life

Following high school, Harold found employment as a tinsmith at the International Harvester Company in Melrose Park, where he worked until his retirement in 1967. He was also a member of the St. Charles Moose lodge.

Harold married Harriet Trull (born December 22, 1912) and had two children:

Richard (born 1937)
Jane

The 1940 census shows Harold and his family living at 118 Tennyson Street in Elgin, Illinois.

Harold’s Reflections on the Titanic

During the 1950s, Harold, along with his mother and sister Eleanor, attended screenings of Titanic-themed films, including “Titanic” (1953) and “A Night to Remember” (1958). In a 1959 interview with the Chicago American, Harold shared his memories:

“We were travelling third class–and we were kept shut off from the upper decks as long as possible while the crew tried to save the first class passengers. It was first class all the way…”

This statement reveals the class distinctions that played a role in the tragedy and suggests a lingering bitterness about the treatment of third-class passengers.

Final Years and Legacy

Harold Johnson spent his last years in Wayne, Illinois. He passed away on April 10, 1968, at the age of 60 (sixty), due to acute pancreatitis at the Delnor Hospital in St. Charles, Illinois. He was laid to rest in Little Woods Cemetery, St. Charles.

Harold’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the Titanic’s youngest survivors and the long-lasting impact of the disaster on families. His life, spanning from the Edwardian era through two World Wars and into the space age, reflects the dramatic changes of the 20th century. As one of the last living links to the Titanic tragedy, Harold Johnson’s experiences continue to fascinate historians and the public alike, offering valuable insights into one of history’s most enduring maritime disasters.