Talk:George Johnson (supercentenarian)

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George Johnson's claim to be the grandson of U.S. President Andrew Johnson is based on the presumption that Andrew Johnson had illegitimate children with a black woman (akin to the Sally Hemings claim, which was subsequently verified). Please note that Mr Johnson has submitted biological samples which could be tested, if one wants to really prove or refute the claim. Given the circumstances, his claim seems at the very least possible, and more likely to be true than not. Note George was born in Philadelphia, PA; he was a very light-skinned 'black' man (indicating race-mixing), and his last name was Johnson. If true, Andrew Johnson likely fathered the illegitimate child while vice president. George Johnson's father was at the Gettysburg address, according to George Johnson. More information can be found in the U.S. census (which would provide dates of birth). 72.152.94.158 04:14, 31 August 2006 (UTC)

If Andrew Johnson fathered the illegitimate child while Vice-President, then this would contradict George Johnson's claim. Andrew Johnson was Vice-President for a very short amount of time as he was Lincoln's 2nd Vice-President, and therefore was Vice-President after Lincoln gave the Gettysburg address.

I'm afraid that I dont see a citation for the grandson of Andrew Johnson bit. It wasn't in the latimes article as far as I saw. Unsourced statements may be removed from the article until such time as a source is provided. Syrthiss 17:06, 1 September 2006 (UTC)

1. This is mentioned in the book 'Living in Three Centuries' by Mark Story, so it's not 'original research.'

2. The 'vice-president' thing was my mistake. I had assumed that Johnson was VP in the 1860's. That doesn't change the date (1861) when George's father was born. I also find it interesting that George was 75% white but culturally a 'black' man.68.219.137.236 23:51, 1 September 2006 (UTC)

Someone else found a press mention from 2001, below:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2001/05/01/MNE219464.DTL

Thus, we now have a press mention and a book mention. I've been e-mailed that George's family says that other family members (i.e. George's brothers and sisters) said the same thing. At the very least, genetic testing can and should be done before dismissing what seems to be a credible claim.68.219.137.236 00:13, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

I specifically said "unsourced statements". You have just supplied two sources, ergo its not unsourced and can stay. Syrthiss 10:39, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Census Matches

True, not every detail in this story has yet been told. First of all, this case is documented. George Johnson has been positively identified in the 1900, 1910, and 1930 census. His WWI draft registration has been located as well. Although his WWI papers are missing, the 1930 census lists him as a veteran, adding credibility to his story. The 1900, 1910 census and 1917 draft papers support the age claim of born May 1 1894, while in the April 1930 census, George's age of '34' is one year off (April 1930-May 1894=35).

68.219.137.236 05:41, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Military Records

I've been told by a colonel from the VA that George's WWI papers were located today. Thus, his status as a WWI veteran is now confirmed.68.219.137.236 17:53, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Food diet

A neighbor writes to dispute the claim that 'George lived to 112 on a sausage and waffles diet.' This seems to have been media sensationalism.

   I read an article in the Oakland Tribune by Jeff Wilson on my family friend 

George Johnson. We met Mr. Johnson and his wife Ida in 1979. I was then 15 years old and lived across the street from him. I received a call when he passed on Wednesday and was told that his remains were being examined by an institution. What prompted me to write is because, I always asked him the same question, how can you survive and live with good health so long? His wife too lived long life.

   Mind you, George started smoking when he was 14 years old and quit at 70 years

old. It was the thing to do back then. Him and his wife NEVER ate out. Up to five years ago my Mom use to prepare his meals until she moved to Florida. We then started him on a variety of diets. Frozen meals, meals on wheel for the elderly, etc. He did not have a long life because of sausage and waffles. His favorite breakfast was toast with boiled egg whites (No yoke). He would take a shot of brandy once in a while. Only alcoholic beverage I have known him to drink. He drank a lot of coffee with very little sugar and lots of whole milk. His diet only got bad a few years ago. His wife was very particular of the food they ate. I recall when my brothers and sister use to come home from school and Ida made sure we ate healthy. Besides a good healthy diet for many years, George had something very special. He never believed it was over. At 106 he wanted me to help him re-do the stairwell. The couple of days before he expired the caretaker told us he was talking and asking for us but did not want her to call us because he thought we were busy. I believe that is because he believed he was just sick and one of us would be by over the weekend anyways. And by the way, when he did eat out his favorite was steak and shrimp at Sizzler.

-- David Demroo

68.219.137.236 18:26, 2 September 2006 (UTC)