Iowa Old Press
Hawarden Independent, June 6, 1935
Death Claims Early Pioneer Samuel F. Johnson Died May 22nd at Hot Springs, S.D.
Was Almost 79 years Old And Lived Here Many Years.—Leaves Wife and Three Children
Samuel F. Johnson of Edgemont, S. D., one of the earliest settlers of this community, died at a hospital in Hot Springs, S. D., Wednesday, May 22nd, following an operation, He had been in good health until about two weeks prior to his death when he became ill with a sort of mastoid gathering in his head. As a last resort he was taken to a hospital in Hot Springs where an operation was performed but he lived only a few hours after the operation.
Funeral services were held at Edgemont and interment was made there. Samuel F. Johnson, son of Alexander and Sarah Johnson, was born at Marietta, Ohio, June 3, 1856, and died at Hot Springs, S. D., May 22, 1935, at the age of almost 79 years. His mother died when he was a few months of age and with his father, four brothers and three sisters, he came to Calliope in the early 70's. For many years he operated a farm, about three miles north of Hawarden, which he still owned at the time of his death and which is now occupied by Lee Keehn and family. About 1918 he moved to Fall River county, S. D., and for a number of years operated a ranch near Provo although Mr. and Mrs. Johnson returned later and operated their farm here for a year or two but a number of years ago they retired from active farm work and have since made their home in Edgemont. He had made occasional visits to Hawarden and about four years ago spent the greater part of the summer here looking after building repairs on his farm.
Mr. Johnson was united in marriage with Lucinda A. Smith near Hawarden on Aug 12, 1881, and they celebrated their golden wedding in 1931. Four children were born to this union. The youngest son, Arthur Johnson, died in service during the World War. He is survived by his wife, two sons, Charles O. Johnson and Jesse M. Johnson, and one daughter, Mrs. Bessie M. Burkett, all of the Edgemont vicinity. He also leaves thirteen grandchildren. Mr. Johnson was well known to the older residents of this community. Always a hard worker, he was strictly honorable in all his relations with his fellow men and merited the respect in which he was held in the community.