John Theodore JOHNSON

JOHNSON, HACKBARTH, GUSTAFSON, ANDERSON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:07:01

John Theodore Johnson
28 December 1881 --- 23 November 1939

John Theodore Johnson, son of Mr. and Mrs. John T. Johnson, was born December 28, 1881 at Vestervic, Sweden. [Västervik, Kalmar County, Sweden]. His father passed away when Mr. Johnson was 3 months of age and his mother when he was 10 years old. When Mr. Johnson was ten years old, he and his sister, Hannah, since deceased, came to this country and made their home at Sutherland, Iowa. He went to school here and made his home with his sister on the farm. Early in his life at Sutherland he united with the Christian church, where he held his membership until the time of his death.

He became a citizen of the United States by naturalization on December 14, 1904, at twenty-two years of age.

On January 3, 1905 he came to Eagle Grove and entered the employ of the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad, as a fireman on the Northern Iowa Division. On October 18, 1909 he was promoted to an engineer. He faithfully and efficiently served the railroad for 33 years. He was in three major wrecks and was injured in the wreck at Marathon from which he never fully recovered. On December 18, 1938 he retired from his work and applied for his pension, which was granted.

During the past year he and Mrs. Johnson have been living at Hot Springs, Ark. When they were enroute to Iowa by way of Memphis and Chicago, he suffered two heart attacks and another one at Ames. He was taken to the home of his daughter, Helen Hackbarth at Radcliffe, where he died on Thursday morning, November 23, at 1:00 o'clock at the age of 57 years, 10 months and 26 days.

He was united in marriage to Miss Anna Mae Gustafson of Fort Dodge on August 14, 1907. Two children were born to this union, Ralph LuVerne and Helen Mae.

He was a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, a member of Bower Lodge No. 464 A.F. & A. M. of Eagle Grove, Chapter No. 123 of the Royal Arch Masons, Medina Council No. 26 of the Royal and Select Masters of Iowa, DeMolay Consistory at Clinton, and the Eastern Star, Eagle Grove, Chapter No. 114.

He leaves to mourn his loss his wife, Anna Mae, one son, Ralph, and his wife and their little daughter, Patricia, of Fort Dodge, one daughter, Helen, and her husband, Mr. Hackbarth of Radcliffe; one sister, Mrs. Anna Anderson of Omaha, Neb., and a host of relatives and friends.

He was a kind and loving husband and father, a loyal citizen and a faithful man to his business. Above all, he was true to his faith in Christ all the years of his life.

Funeral services were in charge of Rev. J. R. Tumbleson, pastor of the Methodist church, to which the members of the family belong. The sermon was preached by Rev. W. G. Muhleman, a long-time friend of the family.

The beautiful burial services of the Masonic Lodge was used at the grave. Interment was made in the Eagle Grove cemetery.

EAGLE GROVE EAGLE --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
November 30, 1939