Margaret Ellen Johnson Jehu 1842-1921

JEHU, JOHNSON, HARRIS, EVANS, FRENCHEN, CATHCART, ELWOOD

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 7/15/2015 at 19:47:23

Relatives here have received word of the death on January 5th, at San Diego, California of Mrs. Margaret E. Jehu.

Margaret Ellen Johnson was born on a farm near Union, Wis., on September 12, 1842. She was the youngest child of David and Kiziah Johnson. Daniel and Reuben Johnson, and Mrs. Maria Elwood, all now deceased were brothers and sister who once lived in this city.

Mrs. Jehu received her education in the public and select schools of Union and at Milton college.

She was married in 1864 to Hugh Jehu and soon after took up her residence in the far west but in more recent years was a resident of Estherville, Iowa, where she owned and operated a large florists establishment.

Since her retirement she has spent her winters in California or Florida and the summers in Evansville, devoting her leisure to the study of literature, social science and all projects looking to the betterment of her fellow men. A gifted pen, and a brilliant mind won her many admirers while her tender heart and kindly disposition endeared her to all who knew her.

Early last May, Mrs. Jehu suffered a stroke of paralysis which left her helpless. During this long illness, one of her nieces, either Mrs. Fredus Johnson or Mrs. Eva Frenchen of this place have stayed in San Diego to do all possible for her comfort and to make less irksome and lonely the long months of helplessness.

Besides these nieces, Mrs. Jehu leaves three other nieces, Mrs. Ada Johnson and Mrs. Mae Evans of this place and Mrs. Sarah Cathcart of La Mesa, California and an adopted daughter, Mrs. Gertrude Harris of Des Moines, Iowa, and three nephews W.H. S. Johnson and David M. Johnson of this place and Ray Elwood of Fairchild, Wis. Her husband died about fifteen years ago.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, January 5th in San Diego the Mr. Hand of the Unitarian church officiating. Cremation having taken place the ashes on their arrival here will be interred in Maple Hill [Oak Hill] cemetery. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, January 19, 1921)