Donielson. John Swen

DONIELSON

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 11/26/2007 at 21:57:48

Jackson Sentinel
Jan. 19, 1927

Elwood

Obituary

John Swen Donielson was born Nov. 6, 1853, at Weachelsong, Sweden, and passed away Thursday, Jan. 17, 1929, at the home of his son John north of Elwood after a few hours illness with heart trouble.

When 14 years of age he moved with his parents to Germany where he was married to Miss Bertha Margaret Knoll on July 26, 1875. Mr. and Mrs. Donielson and four children accompanied a party of 27 families of immigrants to America in 1885. They came direct to Lost Nation and after four years located in Elwood vicinity. Ten children were born, one son John William died at the age of 11 years and another son August was killed on the railroad here in 1914. The surviving children are John of Elwood, Frank of Davis Jct., Ill., Gustave, Paul, George and Lewis of Maquoketa, Mrs. Emma Balster of Lowden and Mrs. Anna Nutty of Britt, Ia. Twelve grandchildren also mourn his death and hosts of friends. Mrs. Donielson passed away suddenly on March 26, 1926 while visiting her daughter at Britt.

The deceased was a member of the Odd Fellow lodge at Maquoketa for the last 37 years. Mr. Donielson was section foreman on the railroad here for many years. He also engaged in farming in this vicinity. He was an honest and upright man, a friend of all, a loving father and husband and a kind neighbor always ready to help others who were in need. His was a home-loving nature and a quiet disposition but he won many friends thru his kindly deeds and his memory will long be held dear. Mr. and Mrs. Donielson were given the rare blessing of 50 years of wedded life together and celebrated their golden wedding July 26, 1925, surrounded by their children and grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon from the home of his son John and thence from the Elwood M.E. church. Rev. E. C. Allen officiating. The church was filled with friends and neighbors and the floral offerings were especially numerous and beautiful. The Odd Fellows had charge of the service at the grave where he was laid to rest in the family lot in Elwood cemetery.