JOHNSON, George A. (1842 - 1902)

JOHNSON, HEAD

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 6/24/2025 at 21:48:34

ANOTHER OLD PIONEER HAS LEFT US

Geo. A. Johnson Passed Away Friday Afternoon

Was a Pioneer Citizen and a Well-Known Merchant – Had Big Funeral on Sunday

All things come to an end and George A. Johnson came to an earthly end at about 4:20 on Friday afternoon. The Democrat noted in the Friday edition that he was close to Death’s door, and shortly after the paper went to press the heart beats ceased forever. In the memory of the writer, going back nearly thirty years, no death has caused more universal sorrow. Mr. Johnson was one of the pioneers – always a good citizen, and his death came as an affliction to all the old pioneers who are left, whose grief seemed to mingle with that of the afflicted family, making one great heart beating simultaneously.

Some three or four years ago Mr. Johnson was taken ill with what is commonly known as Bright’s disease. At that time, he was almost given up, but strenuous efforts saved him and he again grew rugged and apparently healthy. But the disease was there and bound to crop out again. A few months ago, he began failing again, and his going out to his farm and assisting with his harvesting seems to have hastened the end. About two weeks ago he was compelled to take to his bed, and medical skill and careful nursing was of no avail. He passed peacefully to rest, surrounded by his family, on Friday afternoon.

The funeral occurred on Sunday afternoon and was one of the most largely attended that has been seen in Cherokee. All of the old pioneers and early settlers were out to pay their respects and witness the last sad rites. The funeral was in charge of (illegible) of which the deceased has been a member since the birth of the first lodge instituted here. At the house where the large crowd (illegible). Outside the Knight Templars in uniform, the Royal Arch Masons and the Workmen stood in line and when the time came, they headed the procession, which was one of the longest ever seen on a similar occasion in Cherokee. About 150 men belonging to the various orders were in the marching columns and fifty-five vehicles, filled mostly with old settlers, followed the remains to Green Hill.

The pall bearers were N. T. Burroughs, J. C. Wilson, John Reigle, Thos, McCulla, Dr. R. L. Cleaves and Dr. J. H. Burlingame.

The Masons present from Marcus were O. W. (illegible), Dr. W. N. Frye, P. N. Brown, E. J. Edmunds, A. H. Dwight, H. B. Robeson, Louis Gund, A. Nafziger and L. O. Thompson.

George A. Johnson was born in the town of Colborne, Canada, May 2, 1842, and was the third of a family of eight children. His father was a native of New York. He passed his youthful days in the county in which he was born. His mercantile career was begun in Canada, where he served as a clerk several years, also in the same capacity at Vassar, Mich. In the spring of 1871, he came to Cherokee when the town was young and succeeded H. A. Fife, continuing the business at the original stand in the old Fife house building, of which the structure occupied by the Sturges harness shop is the only part left standing. In 1884 he erected the building which he has occupied ever since.

The deceased was married Jan 2, 1871, to Miss Eliza Head of Colbourne, Ontario. To them ten children have been born: William R., Ellen M., Maud E., Hattie E., Beulah, Lottie O., Hazel, Henry H., Paul, Felix, Dorothy. With the exception of two, all of the children are living to mourn with a devoted mother, the loss of an ever (illegible).

The deceased has served as a member of the school board, as township trustee and as a member of the county (illegible). (illegible) always a good and progressive citizen, with friends all over this section of country made during his more than thirty years of residence here. He was a member of Speculative lodge No. 307, A.F. & A. M., and Burning Bush Chapter No. 90, R.A.M. and also of Crusade commandery No. 39, K. T., and was also a member of the A.O.U.W.

(Source: The Cherokee Democrat Semi-Weekly, Cherokee, IA, Tue, Aug 19, 1902, pg. 1)