JOHNSTON, Asenath Maria Kemp 1822-1897

JOHNSTON, KEMP

Posted By: Marilyn O'Connor (email)
Date: 7/29/2011 at 15:51:18

Osage News
June 10, 1897

Death of Mrs. Wm. S. Johnston

Mrs. Asenath Maria Kemp Johnston was born in Francistown, New Hampshire, August 26, 1822, and died at Osage, Iowa, June 3, 1897. Her youth was spent in her native state, where she was united to Wm. S. Johnston, October 20, 1848. They came to Osage in 1858, and would therefore rank among the early settlers of the community. The fruit of this marriage was three children. Maria died on Christmas day 1891. George is in Kansas. Miss Ida is one of the popular clerks in this place. Mr. Johnston died five years ago.

For several years Mrs. Johnston was in poor health and it was necessary for her to husband her strength and take the best possible care of herself. The result was that she remained close at home and rarely went abroad excepting to call upon some intimate friend when the weather was pleasant. In winter she seldom left the house.

Her home was everything to her, and there she was satisfied to remain. Though she lived a retired life, she occupied a large place in the neighborhood and her intimate friends speak so warmly of her noble, true, womanly character. She occupied a very large place in the home. She was the light of it. She found her highest enjoyment in it, and through it she sent her influence abroad. Her last sickness was quite brief.

Though she was nearly seventy six years old, she made a strong fight for life and was very hopeful that she would recover. She had not sufficient vitality to throw off the disease, and she passed away early on Thursday morning.

The funeral services were held on Saturday morning under the direction of W. W. Gist. There was a very large attendance of early settlers and intimate friends. In the death of Mrs. Johnston the community has lost a most worthy and noble woman.