Anna Sophia Mostrom Johnson 1838-1918

JOHNSON, MOSTROM, MOSTRO, MISTROM, HELSTROM

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 3/9/2014 at 22:16:56

Pioneer Lady Called to Last Home
Had Been a Resident of Estherville for Forty Years – Highly Respected Lady
Mrs. A. A. Johnson, one of Estherville’s oldest citizens both in years and length of time she had lived here, passed away at the City Hospital on last Thursday, January 17th. She was a woman loved and respected by all who knew her and leaves many friends who knew her as a kind and loving wife and mother, a good neighbor and always ready to come to the assistance of anyone in trouble or distress. For forty years she had lived in Estherville and during that time had saw the many changes take place that have been necessary in the growth of the city.

Anna Sophia Mostro [Mostrom?], was born on August 6th, 1837 [per gravestone 1838], at East Gotland, Sweden. She was married to A.A. Johnson in 1868 at her home in Sweden and the young couple continued to make that country their home for two years after their marriage. In 1870 they came to this country and stopped in Chicago for a short time, going from there to Calmar, Illinois. Eight years later they moved to this place where she continued to make her home until the time of her death.

For the past two months, Mrs. Johnson had been in failing health and it was thought best to take her to the hospital where she could receive the best of care and attention. Her death was the result of old age and a fall which she received some time ago and from which she never fully recovered. She is survived by her husband and one son, Alvin Gustav Johnson of Chicago, two grandchildren, Mary Josephine and Anna Margaret, of Chicago. Four children were waiting for mother in that better world.

Mrs. Johnson was a devout member of the Evangelical Lutheran church and died strong in the faith of her Lord. Funeral services were conducted from the Norwegian Lutheran church last Monday afternoon at two o’clock, the services being built in charge of Rev. J.J. Akre. Burial was made in the cemetery north of town where three of her children were laid to rest. They are Freda, who died at the age of nine years, Hilma, who died at the age of 11 years, and Mrs. George Helstrom, who died at the age of 19 years.

For many years Mr. and Mrs. Johnson resided on the west side of the river and it was only last October that they moved into their new home at the corner of Eighth and Walnut streets. Estherville has lost one of her most respected ladies and all join us in extending to the bereaved husband and son sincerest sympathy in their loss. May the Ruler of her Destinies look down upon these grief stricken hearts and ease their load of sorrow. The memories of the well spent life of mother and wife who is now at rest from earthly trials, will serve as a beacon to guide them on the remainder of life’s path. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, January 23, 1918)

Mrs. A.A. Johnson whose maiden name was Anna Sophia Mostrom, was born in East Gotland, Sweden, Aug. 6, 1837. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith and was married to Mr. A.A. Johnson in 1868. In 1870 she came with her husband to the United States and after a brief stay at Chicago they came to Calmar, Iowa, where they lived for eight years. In 1878 they came to Emmet county and made Estherville their home. For many years they lived on the west end until last fall when they moved to their home on corner of Walnut and 8th street north. For the last two months Mrs. Johnson suffered much from the effects of a fall and this together with old age was the cause of her death which occurred on Jan. 17, 1918. She was some over 80 years old.

Besides her husband she leaves an only son, Albin G. Johnson, and two grandchildren, Marie Josephine and Anna Margaret Johnson of Chicago to mourn her loss. Four daughters have entered death’s portals before her: A baby girl in Sweden, Frida at the age of 9, Hilma at the age of 11 and Mrs. Geo. Helstrom at the age of 19. These three are laid to rest at the cemetery of the Norwegian Lutheran church where their mother now joins them. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. J.J. Akre from the Norwegian Lutheran church at 2 p.m. last Monday, a number of the pioneer residents of the community being present to pay the last tribute of respect to a fellow pioneer. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, January 23, 1918)

Passing of Pioneers
Mrs. A.A. Johnson and Mr. P.S. Fouts Gone to Reward
Both Old Settlers of This County
Mrs. Johnson Came Here Forty Years Ago
Mrs. A.A. Johnson, one of the pioneers of Emmet county died last Thursday, January 17th, in the city hospital, aged 79 years, 5 months and 10 days. Mrs. Johnson had been ill for a long time of ailments incident to old age and her death was not unexpected. Funeral was held from the Norwegian Lutheran church Monday afternoon at two o’clock and interment made in the Norwegian Cemetery north of town. Rev. Akre was the officiating clergyman.

Obituary
Anna Sophia Mistrom [Mostrom?]was born in East Gotland, Sweden, August 6, 1837. In 1868 she was united in marriage to A.A. Johnson in Sweden. She came to the United States with her husband and located in Chicago in 1870 and the same year moved to Calmar, Iowa. Eight years later Mr. and Mrs. Johnson moved to Emmet county where they have since resided, being nearly forty years.

Besides the husband a son, Albin Gustav Johnson is the only surviving member of the family. Deceased has two nephews and two nieces living in Chicago. Four of her children have gone before her to the other shore. Frida who died as a little babe in Sweden, and Frida who died at the age of nine. Hilma who died at the age of eleven and Hulda who was married to Mr. George Helstrom, who died at the age of nineteen. The three last named are buried at the Norwegian Lutheran cemetery, where their mother is now laid to rest.

She lived on the west side until last fall in October when they moved to a home on the corner of Walnut and Eighth Streets North. She was a devout member of the Evangelical Lutheran church of this city. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, Estherville, IA, January 23, 1918)