Mary (Johnson) Nelson (1864-1926)

JOHNSON, NELSON, HOLENALL, ERVIN

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/17/2021 at 16:53:12

From Nevada Evening Journal July 16, 1926 (page 5)

Cambridge Woman Was Laid to Rest

Special to the Journal.
Cambridge, July 16--Funeral services for Mrs. Henry Nelson who died Saturday afternoon, were held Monday morning at 11 o'clock at the Cambridge Union church, conducted by the pastor, Rev. Peter Jacobs. The singing was by a local quartette rendering favorite hymns of the deceased. Interment was in the Cambridge Cemetery.

Anna Mary Johnson was born in Leland, Ill., Nov. 26, 1864 and lacked but a few months of being sixty-two. February 23, 1888, she and Henry Nelson were united in marriage. They lived in Leland until 1889 when they joined the company of relatives from that community who came to Cambridge, Iowa. Their three children, two sons and a daughter came with them. Since coming to this community another daughter was born who died in infancy. Until about eight years ago, when the family moved into town, they had farmed in this immediate vicinity.

Mrs. Nelson has been in failing health for some years. The effect of the terrific strain and shock through which she passed in the fall of 1921 became more evident with the passing years. At that time she helped to care for her daughter Hilah and her two grand daughters, Mary Jane and Sarah Holenall of whom were taken within a few days by scarlet fever. Mother and daughter were so deeply devoted to each other. The grand children, aged three and five, just when they were so interesting and attractive, had gained such a hold on her affections.

Mrs. Nelson was one of a family of seven children, five boys and two girls. But one of this number, Ben Johnson, is left. In April of this year her brother Edwin G. Johnson was struck by an automobile resulting in his death. She had been taken to the hospital at Nevada and the same evening her brother was injured. The next morning he was taken to the same hospital.

Mrs. Nelson was a member of the Norwegian Methodist Church at Leland, Ill., when she came to Cambridge she transferred her membership to the Methodist Episcopal church. She was a charter member of New Hope Chapter No. 450 Order of Eastern Star, which organization attended the service in a body.

Death came Saturday afternoon. In the last few days she failed rapidly. Her constant prayer during her long illness was that she might ever bear her pain and suffering with patience. She found great comfort in the message of that prayer hymn, "Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross." She was so deeply appreciative of every thoughtfulness and kindness shown her. Great love for her home, untiring devotion to her loved ones, patient in suffering, these were the characteristics of her motherhood. A husband, two sons, Gurton and Bayard Nelson, a brother, Mr. Ben Johnson and four grandchildren mourn one whose memory will deepen its impress of worthiness with the increasing years.

SUBMITTER'S NOTE: The birth record of Mary Jane Ervin 28 July 1917 in Cambridge lists her parents as Hila Sarah Nelson and Aubrey Wayne Ervin. I believe the newspaper misreported the granddaughters' last name as Holenall when it should be Ervin.