Mary Jane Christy Johnson 1821-1896

CHRISTY, ROBB, BRYAN, SMITH, WARD, MEEK, JOHNSON

Posted By: Karen Bergquist Uhr (email)
Date: 3/25/2003 at 07:30:14

Death of Mrs. Wm. J. Johnson

Mrs. Mary J. Johnson, wife of Wm. J. Johnson of Bonaparte, died Tuesday morning of this week after a very painful illness of seven weeks duration of that dread malady, Bright's disease. Mrs. Johnson was born at New Rumley Ohio, Dec. 8, 1821. Had she lived until next Tuesday she would have been 75 years of age. She came with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Christy to Bonaparte, in 1842, and after remaining in Bonaparte a short time moved with her parents to a farm in Lick Creek township. In 1846 she was united in marriage to Mr. Wm. J. Johnson, who came to Bonaparte in 1837. Mrs. Johnson had one brother, Thomas Christy, who died at Bonaparte in 1887, and three sisters, Miss Lizzie Christy, living at Bonaparte at the age of 82, and Mrs. Harvey Robb, of Henry township, and Mrs. Wm. Bryan, of Lick Creek township, deceased. Mrs. Johnson was the mother of eight children, Mrs. Geo. F. Smith, of Keosauqua, Mrs. Geo. T. Ward, of Chicago, Mrs. Wm. Meek, of Denver, and T. H. Johnson, an attorney at Ft. Madison, J. A. Johnson, cashier of the Bonaparte Bank, and Geo. B. Johnson, a train dispatcher at Ft. Worth, Texas. Two, James Johnson and Ella M. Johgson, preceeded their beloved mother to the world beyond. Mrs. Johnson and her aged companion celebrated their golden wedding in March last.

Mother Johnson was in many respects an extraordinary woman. She possessed a strong will and great force of character. She was always ready to do her part in all the relations of life. She was always kind, charitable and helpful. Her strong will enabled her seemingly to triumph over the torturing pains of her least illness, and through it all she appeared to be more concerned for the comfort of those around her than about her own suffering. Few mothers ever loved their children as she did, and few parents were ever so beloved by their children in return as she was.

The funeral obsequies were held at the late residence at 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon. The services were conducted by Rev. Schofield of the Presbyterian church, and the music was furnished by the Presbyterian choir. The pall-bearers were A. McDonald, J. H. Cresap, Jos. Hinish, D. W. Riggle, A. Steadman and Geo. P. Lineweaver. The funeral was largly attended, especially by the older settlers of the place.

In the death of Mrs. Johnson Van Buren county has lost on of its oldest, most typical and noblest pioneer mothers.

Source: newspaper unknown Meek scrapbook