JOHNSON, John M. (1834-1896)

JOHNSON, HICKS

Posted By: Kathy Weaver (email)
Date: 2/19/2015 at 16:02:46

Malvern Leader
Mar. 26, 1896
pg 4

Death of Mr. J.M. Johnson - - When the news of the death of this good man was sent out Tuesday morning, it came like a shock to the ears of many who had not even heard of his last brief sickness. He was in town as usual Saturday afternoon, and while looking and feeling badly, his health was not known to be worse than for some time past. As his friends generally knew, he had been a constant sufferer for many years from asthma, but he endured it all with that patience and fortitude that was born of a naturally strong will and hopeful disposition. However, the steady, relentless ravages of disease gradually told upon his system, and when upon returning to his home Saturday evening, he was attacked with pneumonia, he fell an easy victim to its devastations and quietly yielded up his life at 3 o'clock Tuesday morning. That he was conscious of his approaching dissolution is evidenced by a recent remark to an old comrade. He said "Some of us will be mustered out of life's service very soon." In his death the community has lost an honored and useful member; his church, a pillar of strength; his army comrades, a worthy associate; and his family, its wisest counselor and best earthly friend.

The record of his nearly forty years of life in this community is as an open book and forms a better panegyric than we can pronounce. The funeral services were held at the Baptist church yesterday afternoon and were attended by an immense concourse of friends of the deceased and family.

John Merrill Johnson was born in the town of March, Cambridgeshire, England, July 29, 1834. He emigrated to America in 1851, locating in St. Joseph county, Michigan. In 1858 he removed to Iowa, locating in section 29, Silver Creek township, Mills county. In 1861 he removed to the farm where he resided until his death.

Mr. Johnson served his country three years during the late rebellion as an enlisted soldier in company B, twenty-ninth Iowa infantry. He was one of the six neighbors who enlisted at the same time in Silver Creek township, the "Lucky Squad," who served their three years, returned without accident, and have since lived near each other, he being the first to pass away. He was married to Mary M. Hicks, Nov. 30, 1866, at Flowerfield, St. Joseph county, Michigan. Nine children blessed this union, four of whom have preceded to the better land, and five, two sons and three daughters, survive to comfort the stricken mother. In 1879 he was converted and united with the First Baptist Church of Malvern, and remained a consistent member until transferred to the "church triumphant."