Jennie M. Johnson

JOHNSON, CALLEN

Posted By: Jean Wenke
Date: 1/25/2009 at 20:20:27

At the home of her father, Mr. Martin Callen, in this city, Friday morning, September 21, 1894, Mrs. Jennie M. Johnson departed this life.
Jennie M., daughter of M. S. and Jane Callen, was born in Bonaparte, Iowa, September 4th, 1868, and lived her short, sweet life in our midst.

She was united in marriage with Charles S. Johnson, October 5, 1892, who with a kind, affectionate father, three loving sisters and many friends are left to mourn her sad demise. And surely God chose well a most pure and beautiful flower from his earthly garden. A mother and two sisters were waiting to welcome her to her home above and one more tie binds us to heaven.

She, with her sister, Anna, attended the Burlington College, the winter of ‘85-6 where she learned the art of painting. And those who saw her work need not be told that she succeeded well. She loved her work as she loved all things else. But the pieces of her own handiwork that adorned her earthly home are not more beautiful than the pictures of her good and noble deeds that brighten the walls of her home above. A glance of her work tells us that autumnal tint was her favorite, and God, in his infinite goodness, allowed her to look last on his picture of autumn.

Jennie was a pure, faithful
Christian. Although she hated to leave her loved ones here she was not afraid to die. The markings in her Bible tells us how dear to her were the words of her savior. She was converted April 1st, 1885. Baptized April 25th, and united with the Mt. Zion Baptist church of Bonaparte, May 9th.

The dreaded disease, consumption, began its deadly work on her frail body and though battled hard by her physician and friends, won the victory. We saw she suffered intensely, but we only heard "I am so tired." The bitter sting of pain made sweeter her rest in a far brighter world than this. The loved ones who went with her to the river's brink realized that their boats were only a little way down the stream, and that soon we would all be together again on the other side to part no more. But now, how we miss her sunny smile and pleasant words.