Martha Grace Merrill Johnston 1839-1897

JOHNSTON, MERRILL, RANDOLPH

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 10/12/2010 at 00:22:13

A Useful Life Ended
Mrs. Martha Johnston Suddenly Called to Her Final Reward
A cloud of gloom and sadness was spread over the community Saturday morning when the word was passed from lip to lip that Mrs. P. Johnston had died suddenly the night before. The word was received with regretful surprise by all our citizens none of whom had suspected that death was so soon to descend into our midst and bear away a life so full of usefulness. Mrs. Johnston has not been in good health for a year past and at times had suffered from short though severe spells of sickness. Yet is was not suspected even by the members of her family that her disease was so rapidly undermining her health and life. At about five o’clock Friday evening she suffered an attack of internal hemorrhage which grew continually worse until midnight when death came. The funeral was held at the family residence on East Lincoln street Sunday afternoon at 3 o’clock. The services were conducted by Rev. W. M. Evans of the Presbyterian church, and a large gathering of neighbors and friends attended to pay their last tributes of respect.

Mrs. Martha Grace [Merrill] Johnston was born April 14, 1839, at Salem, N.Y. At the age of fifteen she moved with her parents to a home in Illinois. There in December 1865 she was married to P. Johnston. The next year the newly married couple came to Webster City, Iowa, to make their future home. They resided there until 1881 when they came to Estherville. She died Feb. 12, 1897. There are left to her immediate family to mourn her loss, the husband, one daughter, Mrs. J. W. Randolph, and two sons. Mrs. Johnston was a member of the Presbyterian church in which she was an efficient worker. She was preemlrently a friend to the poor and many they are who will bless the memory of her kind deeds. (Semi-Weekly Northern Vindicator, Estherville, IA, February 16, 1897)

Death of a Good Woman
Mrs. Martha Grace Johnston, wife of P. Johnston, late editor of the Democrat, died at her home in this city the night of Feb. 12th, aged 57 years 9 months 26 days.

The death of Mrs. Johnston came as a great shock to her many friends in this community, few of whom regarded her illness as serious. She has had severe stomach pains at intervals for a year past, but was not considered critically ill. Last Wednesday she entertained a small party at tea and that evening was again taken down and continued to grow worse till death relieved her sufferings the following Friday.

The funeral services were held from the house Sunday afternoon, conducted by Rev. W. M. Evans, of the Presbyterian church, of which Mrs. Johnston was one of the oldest and most prominent members. The interment was at West Hill cemetery. Numerous beautiful floral offerings, testifying the love and high regard of friends, covered the casket, and thus the body of the faithful wife and loving mother was consigned to its last resting place.

Mrs. Johnston came to Emmet county with the family about 15 years ago, and is the first of the home circle to be taken away. She was one of the noblest of women, generous to a fault, kind to everyone and interested in every good work. Her taking away will be felt, not only in the home, but in her church and in the entire community, where she was always a moving spirit for the public’s best welfare.

A husband, two sons, Ben and George, and one daughter, Mrs. J. W. Randolph, are left to mourn the death of a dutiful wife and affectionate mother. (Emmet County Republican, Estherville, IA, February 18, 1897)

A Good Woman Gone
Estherville, Feb. 15 – This community was shocked this morning by the sad and startling news that Mrs. Peter Johnston, wife of ex-Editor Johnston of the Democrat, was dead. She had been sick only one day and very few knew of her illness. Her death was caused by hemorrhage of the lungs and the bursting of a blood vessel. The deceased was one of the most generous and kind hearted women that ever lived, and her death has cast a gloom over our little city. She leaves a husband, two sons and one daughter to mourn her death. The husband and family have the heartfelt sympathy of the people of this community as well as the newspaper fraternity throughout the state, where Mr. Johnston is so widely known. The funeral will occur tomorrow. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, February 24, 1897)