John Maurice Johnson 1886-1913

JOHNSON, BALE

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 10/10/2010 at 01:34:13

Called to His Reward
John M. Johnson Passed Away Thursday, Nov. 13th

Death Due to Meningitis
Had Been in Poor Health All summer But Not Seriously Until the Past Two Weeks

John M. Johnson was called to his home eternal on Thursday morning, Nov. 13th, at about 9:45 o’clock, after an illness of over two weeks with meningitis. Deceased had not been in good health all summer, but his condition was not regarded as serious until he was compelled to take to his bed. During the last week of the young man’s illness he was in a semi-conscious condition, and the end came peacefully.

Mr. Johnson was born and raised in this city, being at the time of his death but twenty-seven years, three months and one day old. He had always made his home with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Johnson, and was one of the most respected young men of the community. He was engaged in the drug business with his brother-in-law, Geo. W. Bale, in the Gardston block, and by a close application of his business and the happy faculty of making and retaining friendships, was well on the way toward a successful and prosperous future. But the unrelenting hand of Death has taken this bright young man from the midst of terrestrial conditions and transplanted another soul into the Great Unknown, leaving an aching void in the hearts of his family and friends.

Deceased leaves to mourn his untimely demise his parents and two sisters, Mrs. Geo. W. Bale and Miss Matilda Johnson, both of this city.

Funeral services were conducted at the late residence on east Howard street Saturday afternoon at two o’clock by the Rev. Knowlton, of the St. James (Minn.) Episcopal church, and impressive services were also held at the grave by the Elks lodge, of which the deceased was an honored member. Interment occurred in the West Side cemetery.

The Democrat joins a host of friends in extending sympathy to the bereaved relatives in the loss of a dear son and brother. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, November 18, 1913)

John M. Johnson Died Thursday
Was the Only Son of Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Johnson of This City
Elks Had Charge of Funeral
Was Raised in Estherville. A Member of the Episcopal Church and a Highly Respected Citizen

The residents of this community were grieved when they heard of the untimely death of one of their most highly respected young men Thursday morning at 9:25.

John M. Johnson passed to his heavenly home after weeks of patient suffering. He was first taken ill with typhoid fever and after recovering from this he seemed to regain his usual strength, but a relapse set in and two weeks prior to his death he was bedfast. All was done that skilled and loving hands could do to save him but to no avail and the weakened body succumbed to the dreadful disease of spinal mengitis.

Deceased was a model young man, quiet and assuming in his habits and was admitted by all who knew him. He had been a member of the Episcopal church for a number of years and was an ardent believer in its doctrines. He was employed for a number of years as clerk at the Orleans hotel after which time he was engaged as a salesman for the shoe store now managed by Blue and Ralfe. About a year ago he entered a partnership with his brother-in-law, George Bale, in the Gardston drug store.

John M. Johnson, the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Johnson, died at their home Thursday morning at 9:25 of spinal mengitis at the age of twenty-seven years, three months and one day. The funeral services were conducted by the B.P.O. Elks at the cemetery and the sermon was preached at the house by Rev. Knowlton of St. James, formerly rector of the Episcopal church of this city. The body was taken to Oak Hill Cemetery and laid in its final resting place. Besides his parents he leaves to mourn his sad death two sisters, Mrs. George Bale and Miss Matilda Johnson. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, November 19, 1913)

At Rest
One of the saddest deaths that has occurred in this city was that of John M. Johnson on Thursday of last week. John, as he has always been known to every one, was born and raised in this city and has grown up here with a host of friends since boyhood. He was one of those chosen individuals who was created with one of the best and kindest dispositions that was ever given to man. He never had an unkind word to say to any of his fellow men. He was a great lover of his home and his parents. He always seemed to have the one aim in life, to be gentlemanly and kind to all. He attended the public schools in Estherville, and later accepted a position as day clerk in the Orleans hotel. After the sale of the Orleans hotel, Alex Johnston, the manager of the hotel and John Johnson purchased the exclusive shoe store of W. H. Davis. It was during the time they were carrying on the business that John received an injury, by falling off a ladder, that followed him through life, and probably materially sided in causing his death. After the sale of this store and at the time of completion of the Gardston hotel, John and his brother-in-law, Geo. Bale, formed a partnership in the drug business and conducted the Gardston drug store up to the time of his death.

Mr. Johnson’s physical condition had become such that he was susceptible to disease, and in the middle of July last he became the victim of typhoid fever, and from the effects of this he never regained strength. A very short time ago he became affected with tubercular meningitis and from this disease he never recovered. He passed away as he had lived, in the quiet peaceful way that showed no trace of the pain and suffering he had undergone without the slightest complaint.

He was a member of the Grace Episcopal church and as an active and faithful member of the B.P.O.E. lodge of this city. The funeral services were conducted from the home on East Howard street, last Saturday, Rev. W. H. Knowlton of St. James, Minn., officiating. The lodge to which he belonged turned out in a body and had charge of the funeral services. The remains were laid to rest in Oak Hill cemetery.

He leaves to mourn his departure, a father, mother, and two sisters, and untold number of friends who have known and always spoken of him as the “prince of good fellows.” (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, November 19, 1913)