Thomas Harvey Johnson 1858-1904

JOHNSON, STRICKLING, SMITH, WARD, MEEK

Posted By: Rich Lowe (email)
Date: 9/27/2001 at 09:40:08

Thomas Harvey Johnson, son of William and Mary J. Johnson was born in Bonaparte, Iowa, March 29, 1858, hence he was 46 years 5 months and 25 days old. He entered the school at an early age and graduated from Howe's Academy at Bonaparte in 1873, when but 15 years old. He later entered the State university, graduated from the law department and studied law under Lea and ___pp of Keosauqua. He was admitted to the bar in 1880 and began practicing in Keosauqua in 1882. He was ____ for two years employed by Geo. __ Smith in the office of the Van Buren County Democrat, now known as the State Line Democrat.

In 1882 he was married to Miss Beatrice E. Strickling, daughter of the late Dr. Henry Strickling, ex county judge. To this union there were born two children, Miss Daisy Marguerite and William Harry, both of whom, with the sorrowing widow, survive him.

In 1885, Mr. Johnson and family moved to West Point, where he continued to practice law and was editor of the West Point Appeal until 1890, when the family moved to Ft. Madison, where they have since made their home. After moving to Fort Madison Mr. Johnson soon won his way into the confidence and good will of the people, not only by his genial and happy disposition, but also by his aptitude in general affairs, legal ability and practical business methods.

In 1891 he was elected city attorney, which office he filled to the credit of himself and the city until 1887. While serving in this capacity he was also deputy county attorney, which office he also filled for six years, and was afterward elected as county attorney, which honor he held at the time of his death. He served as a valued member of the school board for six years, but resigned for reasons best known to himself in 1903.

He was a very active force in several of the secret societies in the city, being a member of Fort Madison lodge No. 374, B. P. O. E. He was Past Master Workman of Gem City lodge No. 288, A. O. U. W., and one of the three state attorneys for that organization. He was also a member of the Loyal Americans order and the lodge known as the Degree of Honor. He held his church membership in the Presbyterian church at West Point, where he united some years ago.

It will thus be noted that his life has been a very busy one and he has been helpful to his time and generation by his faithful service and serving.

Four years ago Mr. Johnson suffered congestion of the brain, and, while active in his work, he has never been as well since the attack as before, and has gradually been failing of late, especially in the last few months, although the family were not alarmed and thought he would recover from what seemed a temporary indisposition.

Besides the widow and two children, his father, Wm. J. Johnson of Bonaparte, three sisters, Mrs. Geo. F. Smith of Keosauqua, Mrs. Geo. T. Ward of Chicago, Mrs. Wm. Meek of Denver Col; two brothers, Joseph A. of Bonaparte, Geo. B. of Fort Worth, Tex., survive him. His mother is buried in the Bonaparte cemetery, and there are also one sister and one brother dead.

Funeral services were held at 3 o'clock Tuesday afternoon at the home in Ft. Madison and were largely attended by members of the different organizations of which he was a member and by the many friends of the deceased and family and the Ft. Madison and Keokuk bar. Rev. Geo. D. Stewart officiated.

Attorneys Hamilton, Snyder, Stewart, Weber, Watson, and Galland of Ft. Madison and Judge McNamara and R. M. Marshall of Keokuk were appointed to represent the Lee county bar at the funeral services at Bonaparte.

Funeral services were held at Bonaparte Wednesday at 2 o'clock in the house where Mr. Johnson lived when a boy in Bonaparte and conducted by Rev. C. E. Perkins of Keosauqua. Many friends from Keosauqua and members of the Van Buren county bar were present.

Source: Entler Scrapbook Vol. 3, Iowa State Historical Library, Iowa City, IA

[I would like to hear from anyone with connections to this family.]