Gilman L. Johnson (1848-1918)

JOHNSON, HARRISON, KELSEY, BELL, RICH, RICHMOND

Posted By: Anne Hermann (email)
Date: 1/13/2009 at 22:31:25

Jackson Sentinel
August 16, 1918

Gilman L. Johnson Passes Away at His Home Wednesday Night

After an illness of several months, Gilman L. Johnson passed away at his home on Pleasant and Niagara streets shortly before midnight Wednesday, August 14. Although Mr. Johnson’s death was not unexpected, the news came as a shock to the people of our city with whom he had mingled for so many years, the day of his death begin the forty-seventh anniversary of his coming to Maquoketa.

Gilman L. Johnson was born in St. Lawrence county, N. Y., June 21, 1848. His father was William P., and his mother A. A. Bell-Johnson. His father’s family were old early English settlers, first in Tennessee, and then in 1839, in New York. His mother’s family was also of English origin, living in Canada and Vermont for two generations. His early education was acquired in the common schools of St. Lawrence county, N. Y. At the age of 15 years he enlisted in the 16th N. Y. Volunteer Infantry, where he served two years. August 28, 1863, he entered the 142nd New York Volunteer Infantry and was assigned to Co. C. He also served as first lieutenant of the staff of Gen. N. M. Curtis. In February, 1864, at John’s Island, S. C., he received a gunshot wound which necessitated the amputation of his right arm. He was in active service during the siege of Petersburg and the capture of Fort Fisher, N. C., and after the capture of the latter point, Jan. 15, 1865, he was detailed as depot quartermaster past that point until after the close of the war.

After coming out of the army, Mr. Johnson attended the Governor Seminary of St. Lawrence county, N. Y. from which he graduated in June 1871. He was admitted first to the New York bar in June 1871 at the time of his graduation; then in September, 1871, to the Iowa bar, and for a few months was associated with Charles Rich at Maquoketa. He then formed a partnership with F. C. Richmond, which continued for about two years. He then continued practice alone for about ten years and was afterwards associated for five years with F. D. Kelsey of this city. From the time of the close of this partnership, he continued his practice alone until about two years ago when he retired from active practice. Mr. Johnson was a member of the House in the nineteenth general assembly from the twenty-third district; also a member of the senate in the twentieth and twenty-first assemblies from the same district.

Mr. Johnson was a lawyer of exceptional ability, a citizen of sterling worth, a splendid neighbor and a loyal friend, and a man who will be missed in professional circles as well as by the commonwealth in which he lived.

Besides his bereaved wife he leaves a daughter, Mrs. John Harrison of this city, to mourn the loss of a kind, indulgent husband and father.

The funeral will be held from the late home at 4 o’clock Sunday afternoon, when prayers of the Episcopal church will be read by Rev. C. C. Markham of the Baptist church, and tribute will be given by Attorney F. D. Kelsey, with whom he had so long been associated in the practice of his profession. Interment will be made in Mt. Hope cemetery.