Taaraan (Boxte) Johnson (1843-1924)

JOHNSON, SANDVIG, BOXTE, NELSON, FERKIN, JACOBS

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 4/24/2024 at 17:46:59

From The Roland Record, Roland, Story County, Iowa, Thursday, March 6, 1924.

PIONEER WOMAN IN FINAL SLEEP

Mrs. Elias Johnson Died Last Saturday After Only Few Days Illness Following Stroke. Funeral Largely Attended Tuesday.

Mrs. Elias Johnson passed away last Saturday afternoon after being sick only a few days. A week ago she suffered a stroke of paralysis and due to her advanced age, her system was unable to overcome this stroke and death ensued as stated above.

Taaraan Boxte was born in Skaanevig, Norway, May 13, 1843. At the age of eleven years she emigrated with her widowed mother to Lisbon, Ill. On Nov. 15, 1859, she was united in marriage to Mr. Elias Johnson (Sandvig), the ceremony being performed by Rev. P. A. Rasmusson, by whom she had been confirmed some years before.

In the spring of 1865, Mr.and Mrs. Johnson moved from Illinois to Iowa, Mrs. Johnson coming on the train to Nevada while Mr. Johnson and others frive overland in covered wagons. Upon arriving here after a long and tiresome trip, they located on a farm three and a half miles northeast of Roland. This continued to be their home, until Mr. Johnson passed away three years ago. In 1918, Mrs. Johnson moved to Roland, where she lived quietly until the Angel of Death called her to her well earned rest on Saturday, March 1, 1924 at the ripe age of 80 years, 9 months and 18 days.

Twelve children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, five of whom preceded their parents to the better land. They are, Mrs. K.T.B. Nelson, James Pierce, Charles and Ella. Those surviving are Mrs. Caroline Ferkin, Mrs. M. O. Ferkin, Eli and Arnie, all of Roland; John of Bemidji, Minn.; Joseph of Story City; Gerhard, of Fort Morgan, Colorado. She is also survived by a sister, Mrs. Carrie Jacobs of Ada, minn.; 32 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren, besides a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at Bergen Lutheran church at two o'clock, a large concourse of people being present to pay their last respects to one who was loved and respected by all who knew her. Rev. M. O. Sumstad preached the funeral sermon after which the remains were laid to rest in the Roland Cemetery.

Thus is lad to her final rest, one of those rugged early pioneers, who came to this community in the early day, to build a home for themselves and their children. Their struggles were many and the hardships such that none can picture it who has not gone through the test. Few they are now, that remain of these pioneers who built so well that those of the the succeeding generations could reap the benefits of their labor and sacrifices. All honor to them and may they rest in peace.