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Notes for Julius Gerhard Granholm: Individual: Granholm, Julius Gerhard Original Danish spelling of last name: Grønholm (with Danish letter o with /) Social Security #: 507-07-1526
Julius was born in Odense, Denmark but immigrated to America in 1902 at the age of 22. Danish emmigration records show that he was headed for New York on July 7, 1902 and that he listed his occupation as a "Handskemager", believed to translate to "Glovemaker." Little is known about his earlier years but in 1916, then at age 36, he is known to have been a Private in the Army National Guard during the war between Mexico and the United States with commanding General Pershing. He enlisted June 21, 1916 at Neenah, Wisconsin and was discharged July 18, 1917. (The "hostilities" only lasted about one year, at which point the National Guard units were demobilized.) During his Army service, he befriended John Pedersen (future husband of Dagmar (Jensen) Engskow, Helene's sister) and Harold Jensen, brother of Helene. Harold played "cupid" and introduced John Pedersen to his sister Dagmar and, later, Julius Granholm to his sister Helene. John and Dagmar were married and after Helene (who was a young widow with a pre-teen daughter named Jenny) immigrated in 1919, Julius and Helene were married.
For some unknown reason as noted in a letter penned by his father, Julius may have used an alias of John Johnson, at least during his military service. (Julius' father, Christian, wrote to General Pershing inquiring about his son. The letter was sent from Odense, Denmark and signed "merchant" Grønholm.)
On March 9. 1916, the soldiers of General Francisco "Pancho" Villa attacked the small border town and military camp at Columbus, New Mexico. From Camp Furlong, General "Black Jack" Pershing, who would later command the Allied forces of World War I, pursued Pancho Villa into Mexico. This 11 month pursuit led 10,000 American soldiers, including 1st Lieutenant George Patton, 400 miles into Mexico. Julius was a member of the 1st Wisconsin unit, a National Guard unit, and the history books say no National Guard units moved into Mexico but instead spent their time "guarding the border."
Julius, at age 41, met and married Helene in 1920 shortly after her arrival in America with her daughter Jenny. They went on to have 4 children of their own. Julius was said to be a hard worker, a stone-cement mason, but struggled with alcohol. Early in the Great Depression, early 1930's, Julius' alcoholism and possibly other issues, resulted in Julius leaving Helene and the children. This was understandably an extremely difficult situation for the family.
Julius' exact whereabouts was unknown to the family until about 1970 when Walter Granholm was contacted to help move an old man out of a run-down Omaha apartment building that was going to be torn down. It turned out to be his 91 year old father, Julius. He was moved to a home for the aged, where Walter and Donna visited him regularly. He died 2 years later, in December 1972 of natural causes.
More About Julius Gerhard Granholm: Emigration: July 07, 1902, From Denmark to USA. Military service: 1916, 1st Wisconsin Regiment (Army). Naturalization: February 05, 1924, US Citizenship.
More About Julius Gerhard Granholm and Helene Augusta Frederiksen: Divorce: September 10, 1931, Omaha, Nebraska. Marriage: April 09, 1920, Omaha, Nebraska.
Marriage Notes for Julius Gerhard Granholm and Helene Augusta Frederiksen:
Helene Augusta Frederiksen had immigrated to America on October 18, 1919 and joined in marriage to Julius Gerhard Gronholm (as spelled on their Certificate of Marriage) on April 9, 1920..... a mere 6 months after arriving in the states!
Helene and Julius broke up in the early 1930's. Their marriage had produced 4 children, plus there was her daughter Jenny from her late husband Jens Frederiksen. Helene raised her five children by herself during the Great Depression. Helene had 2 buildings in downtown Omaha. She had a children's clothing store in one and fixed up the other one and sold it. She had immigrated with her sister Dagmar, who made hats. The two of them attended night school to learn English.
Children of Julius Gerhard Granholm and Helene Augusta Frederiksen are:
Lillian Emilie Granholm, b. July 27, 1921, Omaha, Nebraska, d. September 20, 1998, Omaha, Nebraska.