Christ Henry JOHNSON

JOHNSON, BAKER, PEDERSEN, COPP, GRANDGEORGE

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:59

Christ Henry Johnson
14 August 1859 ---- 6 December 1935

Chris Johnson, 76 years old, took his life by hanging himself to a cell window bar in the city jail, early Friday morning. He had been acting queerly of late and around midnight Thursday refused to come into his son-in-law's house where he was living. Night Marshal Faust was called and it was decided best to take him to the city jail. He was placed in the cell in the women's ward of the jail at 12:40 Friday morning. Faust talked with him again at 4 o'clock, at which time he was all right. He entered his cell again about 6 o'clock and found him hanging from the cell window. Johnson used a red bandana handkerchief and his shoelaces to make the improvised rope with which he ended his life.

Faust immediately called Dr. MacNaughton, who arrived in a few minutes, but found life extinct. Dr. Walker, county coroner, was called and he pronounced the cause of death a clear case of suicide. When Johnson was confined to his cell some rope and a razor were taken away from him. The body was taken to the Wilson Funeral Chapel.

Mr. Johnson was making his home with his son-in-law, Jacob Baker Jr. at 414 East Fourth Street North.

Christ Henry Johnson was born August 14, 1859 at Langeland, Denmark, and died in Eagle Grove, Iowa, December 6, 1935, at the age of 76 years, 3 months, and 22 days. He received the Christian baptism, also received instruction, and confessed the Christian faith in his youth. Having finished the accustomed citizens military training in the land of his nativity, he emigrated to the U. S. A. and followed the trade of a stone mason. He was united in marriage to Miss Marie Pedersen at Iowa Falls on March 7, 1891 and to this union eight children were born, Frank Johnson of Radcliffe, Mrs. Mary Copp of Eagle Grove, Carl Johnson of Eagle Grove, Miss Nora Johnson of Boone, Henry Johnson of Norfolk, Neb., Mrs. Olga Baker of Eagle Grove, Mrs. Edna Grandgeorge of Iowa Falls and Miss Lillie Johnson of Woodward, Iowa. These now, together with his faithful wife, mourn his death. He is also survived by 22 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have lived at various places, viz.: Iowa Falls, Norfolk, Neb., Superior, Webster City, Jewell, and Boone, Iowa. The last year they have made their home with their daughter and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. Jake Baker, Jr.

Ill health and despondency because of too heavy a burden for him to bear in his mental condition and he evidently despaired of life.

Funeral services were held Monday afternoon, December 9th, from the Wilson Funeral Home, Eagle Grove. Burial was made in Rose Hill cemetery.

EAGLE GROVE EAGLE --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
Thursday, December 12, 1935

Source --- Paul Wilde