T. H. Johnson 1858-1904

JOHNSON, SMITH, WARD, MEEK

Posted By: Karen Bergquist Uhr, Volunteer (email)
Date: 4/20/2003 at 21:36:52

COUNTY ATTORNEY T. H. JOHNSON DEAD

JOHNSON--At the home, No. 906 Fifth Street, Fort Madison, Iowa, Sunday, September 25, 1904, at 10:30 o'clock a.m., Thomas Harvey Johnson, aged 46 years, 6 months and 27 days.

Deceased was born at Bonaparte, Iowa, March 9, 1858, the son of William J. and Mary J. (nee Christy) Johnson. He attended the public schools, and in 1873, at the age of 15 years, graduated from Howe Academy at Bonaparte. Later he began a course of law studies under the law firm of Knapp, Lea, & Beaman, at Keosauqua, Iowa. During this time he attended the Iowa State University at Iowa City and later engaged in newspaper work with his brother-in-law, Geo. F. Smith of the Keosauqua Democrat. In 1880 he was admitted to the bar before the late Hon. Judge E. L. Burton of the second judicial district. In 1882 he was united in marriage at Keosauqua to Miss Beatrice C. Strickling, daughter of Judge Henry Strickling of Keosauqua. They moved to West Point, ----INSERTED, A PICTURE OF THE DECEASED----- Iowa, where Mr. Johnson edited the West Point Bee for about a year and also pursued his profession. In 1890 they moved to Fort Madison where he continued the practice of law. Here he was elected city attorney and held the office six years. He then became deputy county attorney, which office he held six years, and was then elected county attorney and was holding that office at the time of his death. He was also a member of the board of education several terms, filling all of the above positions of trust with marked ability. He was also prominent in secret society circles, being at the time of his death state attorney for the A.O.U.W., a member of the degree of Honor, Fort Madison Lodge No. 374 B.P.O. Elks and the Loyal Americans and also a member of the West Point Presbyterian church.

He is survived by his wife, two children, Miss Daisy M., and W. Harry Johnson, both at home, besides his father, William J. Johnson of Bonaparte, who is over 80 years old, and the following sisters and brothers: Mrs. Geo. F. Smith of Keosauqua, Mrs. Geo. T. Ward of Chicago, Mrs. Wm. Meek of Denver, Colo., Jos. A. Johnson of Bonaparte and Geo. B. Johnson of Ft. Worth, Texas.

Mr. Johnson had been in poor health for some time, though was not considered in a serious condition and was able to be up and around the evening before his death. Sunday morning about 10 o'clock he was attacked by a severe coughing spell in which he passed away, death resulting from apoplexy. He was a kind and indulgent father and husband and a man respected by all who knew him. His death is mourned by the entire community while the deepest sympathy is extended to his bereaved family and other relatives.

Funeral services at the home Tuesday, September 27 at 3 o'clock p.m., Rev. Dr. Geo. D. Stewart officiating. The following morning the remains will be taken to Bonaparte where services will be conducted bty Rev. C. E. Perkins of the Congregational church. Interment in the Bonaparte cemetery.

BAR MEETING HELD

On call of W. S. Hamilton, president of the Fort Madison Bar association, a meeting of that body was held in the district court room at 11 o'clock this forenoon, there being present: W. S. Hamilton, Omar E. Herminghausen, D. F. Alley, T. B. Snyder,Chas. Doerr, J. L. Benbow, R. N. Johnson, H. C. Stempel, E. C. Weber, H. Schlemer and Washington Galland. Four members of the association were unable to be present by reason of absence from the city, they being O. C. Herminghausen, George B. Stewart, J.J. Watson and W. J. R. Beck.

The meeting was presided over by W. S. Hamilton, Omar E. Herminghausen occupying the secretary's chair. Mr. Hamilton announced the call for the meeting as being the death of Thomas H. Johnson, a member of the association.

It was suggested by Mr. Snyder that a regular memorial meeting of the association by held on the forenoon of Monday, October 10, the first day of the coming term of the district court, the suggestion being adopted.

On motion a committee of resolutions and arrangements was appointed by the president, by naming Messrs. Snyder, Weber, Benbow, Johnson and Stempel.

Messrs. Schlemer, Galland and Weber were named as a committee to procure a suitable floral tribute for the funeral.

It was agreed that the association attend the funeral services in a body Tuesday afternoon, meeting at the court house at 2:45 p.m., also that the association as a body accompany the remains from the house to the K. O. railway station on Wednesday morning, meeting at the court house at 7:45 sharp.

Messrs. Hamilton, Snyder, Stewart, Weber, Watson and Galland were appointed to accompany the funeral party to Bonaparte, it being understood that all others who could make it to do so would also attend.

Source: Newspaper unknown, Margaret Johnson Meek scrapbook (page 75)

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