Silas B. Johnson, 1842-1925

JOHNSON, DAVIS, BUNNY, JOHNSON, HAVENSTRITE, BROADBENT, SMITH

Posted By: Constance, IAGenWeb Volunteer (email)
Date: 12/20/2016 at 11:02:34

West Union Argo-Gazette
West Union, Fayette Co., Iowa
Wednesday January 21, 1925
Page 3; column three

UNION VET IS DEAD
Silas B. Johnson Passes at Waucoma on Jan. 8, Aged 82 Years

Waucoma Sentinel - Silas B. Johnson was born in Wisconsin, July 19, 1842, and passed away at his home in Waucoma Jan. 8, 1925, aged eighty-two years, six months and eleven days.
At the call of his country he enlisted on Aug. 22, 1861, at Spring Valley, Wis., for three years, at the close of that term re-enlisted for the period of the war, and was mustered out Nov. 1, 1863, having seen active service for the entire time with the exception of a short furlough. While in the army he contracted a disease of the eyes from which he never fully recovered.

On June 3, 1866, he was married at Spring Valley, Wis., to Miss Emma A. Bunny, and to them four children were born, two of whom died in infancy. His wife died in 1873, and on Dec. 3, 1874, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Mahala Davis at Waucoma, Iowa, and their home has been in this vicinity since that time. They were the parents of two daughters.

The deceased was a man with a big heart, but only those who were benefited by his kindness knew of his liberality for his motto was Mathew 6-3, "But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what the right hand doeth." He was a self made man, a student of human nature; a man who loved his home and enjoyed having his family gather in the home circle.

For years he was an active worker in the Methodist church, in which he retained membership, but for the last few years his age and other infirmities have kept him very close to his home. He was a member of the Sutherland post, G.A.R. till it disbanded and he held membership in the Ladies of the G.A.R. organization at Alpha.

The celebration of their golden wedding on Dec. 3, 1924, was a very quiet one.

Besides his wife there are left to mourn his loss, Fred Johnson, of this city; Will Davis of Alpha; Mrs. Gertie Havenstrite of Lovell, Okla.; Mrs. Hattie Broadbent of Alpha; Mrs. Winnie Smith of Mason city, also twenty-five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

The funeral was held in the Congregational church Sunday afternoon, Jan. 11 conducted by Revs. Clarke and Hartong, under escort of Belding-Fox-Slagle post of American Legion and he was accorded military honors at the cemetery.