He was born we believe as Loren Joseph but hated it and reversed it. Went thru most of his life as Joe or J. L his father was from family lore, Ulysses S Grant Johnson, and his mother was Indiana Charlesworth. His sister was Minnie. He was born in Martinstown Mo on march 9 In the 1890s could be 1887 ish but not real sure. He was part Sac and Fox and I have had a devil of a time finding his dads records to see which side he Indian blood came from. Never did come across him, But this is probably stuff you don't need. I would love to get some copies of the Lester's of Va if you can advise me as to where. Thanks for reading. I'm glad there are folks like you doing this. If you need my grandparents line from there on I could supply some info. Will say that, Merle and Joe had two lovely girls Gwendolyn and Gloria. Gwen married Robert Costello and Gloria married Corwin Henry Macklin Bell. Marraiges took place in Detroit. Corwin was Canadian born from Kenmore NY. (buffalo area) ...Gwen and Bob moved to Calif and had Mark, Kim and Kathy. Mom and dad moved to Grand Island NY and had Paula Macklin, Gregory Joseph, Kathleen Alice, And Gary James Bell. I am on facebook more often than E Mail.

Kathleen Olszewski, Grand Island, NY
(walkswithjesus13@yahoo.com)