Lee Richener Johnston 1889-1936

JOHNSTON, BUCKLES, WILEY

Posted By: Volunteer - Karen DaPra
Date: 4/16/2003 at 23:36:21

BONAPARTE CITIZEN TAKEN WHILE ATTENDING TO HIS FARM DUTIES

Lee R. Johnston passed away quite suddenly on Friday evening, May 8, near his home six miles northwest of Bonaparte. He and his brother, Guernsey, had been planting corn on the Ed Morris place just south of their home on what is known as the Ambrose Warner farm. Guernsey started home about six o'clock to do the chores. Lee remained to plant corn so long as he could see to do so.

He did not return home for supper when expected, and his brothers, Guernsey and Bryan drove to the Morris place where they found their brother lying dead on a grassy plot beside the place where a wagon had stood in which he had loaded the seed corn, and to which he had hitched the team after unhitching from the planter.

It was evident from his posture that he had not fallen to the ground but had laid down. The family physician gave it as his opinion that death had been caused by heart failure. There were no marks or bruises upon the body.

The team hitched to the wagon was found some distance away standing beside a gate, but they had not been hitched to the gate or fence. Mr. Johnston had probably became ill, laid down beside the wagon, and the team had moved away in the direction in which they were headed.
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Lee Richener, son of William and Minnie I. Johnston, was born on a farm near Mt. Zion, Iowa, Oct. 13, 1889, and he lived all his life in Van Buren county, and attended the rural schools of this county.

Circumstances required that at a very early age, he assume the responsibility of the family, and he was ever faithful to that task. He followed the vocation of farming which was the work he enjoyed and he was engaged in the duties of farm work up to the very minute of his death, on the evening of May 8, 1936.

He leaves surviving, his mother with whom he lived, and five brothers, Guernsey G. and J. Bryan at home; Tom F. of Harlan, Iowa; W. Pitt of Birmingham, Forrest W. of Brighton, and one sister, Mrs. Geo. R. Buckles of Keosauqua; an aunt, Miss Ella Wiley of Birmingham, and one uncle, Joe Wiley of Kissimee, Florida; a number of nieces and nephews and a host of friends. His father and one sister preceded him in death.

His, was a life of usefulness and devotion to duty and his place will not be easily filled. His untimely death brings sadness to the entire community. He died as he lived--at the helm.

Funeral services were held at the Mt. Zion Presbyterian church Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock in charge of Rev. Chalmer D. Fulton, pastor of the United Presbyterian church at Washington, Iowa, and he was laid to rest in Forbes cemetery.

(Photocopy of this obit found on page 163 of Obit Book "A" of the Van Buren County Genealogical Society's collection at the Keosauqua Public Library in Dec 2000. Name of newspaper and date of obit not given.)

I am NOT related and am posting this obit for those who may find this person in their family history.

2nd Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book D, Page 36, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA,; KEO REP 11 JUN 1936