Asahel Alanson JOHNSON

JOHNSON, SAWYER, ENGERSON, COULTHERD, LEWIS

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 1/15/2014 at 15:23:52

February 24, 1842 ---- January 9, 1940

A. A. JOHNSON, 97, CIVIL WAR VETERAN, PASSES AT CORWITH

FUNERAL RITES FOR STATE'S OLDEST PRINTER TO BE HELD FRIDAY AFTERNOON

Only one veteran of the Civil War, Lew Lewis of Klemme, remained in Hancock county Tuesday night after A. A. Johnson, 97, had succumbed at his Corwith home Tuesday. Mr. Johnson, who was distinguished not only as one of the few remaining Civil war veterans in America, but also as Iowa's oldest printer, was ill only a short while and last week he set some type in the Corwith Hustler shop. Mr. Johnson had been a printer for 80 years and was editor of Corwith's first newspaper.

Born in New York, he moved with his parents to Wisconsin. His father died in 1848 and the family then moved from place to place. In 1861 he enlisted in company D of the infantry, was wounded twice and so put to work in the government print shop and was discharged as corporal Nov. 21, 1865. In 1866 he was married to Elizabeth Ann Engerson, who preceded him in death in 1925. Six children were born to the couple but one son died a few years ago. In addition to his printing work, Mr. Johnson published in his shop several volumes of his own poetry.

He is survived by five children, Mrs. Jennie Sawyer and Miss Portia Johnson, both of Corwith, George of Aurora, Ill., Burr of Washington, D. C., and Mrs. Lora Coultherd of Rapid City, S. D.; 12 grandchildren; and 13 great grandchildren.

Funeral rites will be at 2:30 Friday afternoon at his home in Corwith with the Rev. Von Elbert of the Corwith Baptist church officiating. Elmer Wilson post of the American Legion will have charge of military rites at the grave in Corwith Cemetery.

Garner Leader - Garner, Iowa
January 10, 1940