Mary (Thomas) Johnson (1852-1946)

THOMAS, JOHNSON, CROFT, NELSON, KEHM

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 6/18/2023 at 15:01:08

From The Slater News May 9, 1946 (page 1)

Mrs. Mary Johnson Died Sunday, May 5

'Grandma' Johnson Was Nearly 94 Years of Age.

Mrs. Mary Johnson, aged Slater pioneer, passed away last Sunday at the Iowa Soldiers' home at Marshalltown after a lingering illness.

Mrs. Mary Thomas Johnson was born on May 14, 1852 at Lenos, Warren county, Ill.*, one of a family of 13 children.

She grew to womanhood in Illinois and was marred there to John Johnson on Oct. 2, 1869. Two years later she and her husband moved to Warren county, Ia., just south of Des Moines. About a year later they moved to a farm four miles south of Slater where they resided seven years. After living in Sheldahl and Des Moines for a period of 10 years or so they moved to Slater in 1888 where they made their home until the husband and father was called by death on Jan. 31, 1905. Mr. Johnson was a veteran of the Union army in the Civil war. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were in the hotel business in Slater where they did well. Mr. Johnson also served as Slater's postmaster for a number of years.

Following Mr. Johnson's death, his widow continued to make her home in Slater, living with a son, S. W. Johnson, until in March, 1945, when she went to the Iowa Soldiers' home in Marshalltown where she passed away May 5, 1946, at the age of 93 years, 11 months and 4 days. She was taken to the soldiers' home so that she might have the best of care for a woman of her advanced years.

She leaves to mourn her passing one son, S. W. Johnson, of Slater; two daughters, Mrs. E. L. Croft of Slater, and Mrs. A. F. Nelson of Faith, S. D.; two brothers, Timothy and Alonzo, of Leighton, mo., and one sister, Mrs. C. J. Kehm, of Des Moines. Two daughters and one son preceded her in death.

Mrs. Johnson, fondly known as "Grandma" Johnson to many of the children in this vicinity, was a kind, lovable soul who lived by the golden rule. She harmed no one and was always ready to help those who were in trouble or distress. In her passing, another of Slater's pioneers goes on to her reward. May she rest in peace.

*SUBMITTER'S NOTE: On all known census, Mary Thomas Johnson lists her place of birth as Ohio. Her death record states she was born in Clermont County, Ohio.