Martin (Jonsson) Johnson (1831 - 1906)

Born 10 Apr 1831 in Vansäter, Söderala (X), Sverige

Ancestors

Husband of Elisabeth (Jönsdotter) Wahlström — married 1860 in Bishop Hill, Henry County, Illinois, USA

Died 14 Nov 1906 at age 75 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, USA

Biography

Galva Weekly News Date: March 30, 1893 Martin Johnson was a Rock Island visitor last week. He was called there by the severe illness of his grand child, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ives Hoare.

Galva Weekly NewsDate: August 31, 1 893 Martin Johnson returned home Friday, from a brief sojourn at the World's Fair.

Galva Weekly NewsDate: November 8, 1 906 Mr. Martin Johnson, who has been ailing for some time, left Tuesday forenoon for Chicago where he expects to undergo an operation. He was accompanied by Dr. Headland of Galva.

Mr. and Mrs. I. J. Hoar came here from Rock lsland last Tuesday morning to see Mrs. Hoar's father, Martin Johnson, before his departure for Chicago.

Galva Weekly News Date: November 15, 1906 A telegraph dispatch was received here yesterday forenoon conveying the very sad intelligence that Martin Johnson had died that morning at the hospital in Chicago where he had gone the week before to undergo an operation. Mr. Johnson was one of the early settlers here and one of the most prominent of our citizens. Obituary next week.

Galva Weekly News Date: November 22, 1906 Martin Johnson was born in Soderala parish, Helsingland, Sweden, April 10, 1831, and died November 14th, 1906, at the Augustana hospital in Chicago at the age of 75 years, 7 months and 4 days. He came to America with his parents when fifteen years old, arriving at Bishop Hill in the month of October, 1846, and was a member of the colony until its close. Thereafter he engaged in farming for many years north of the village. Six years ago he made a visit to Sweden, re-visiting the scenes of his childhood. He married Miss Elizabeth Wahlstrom May 11, 1860, who died Nov 18, 1897. This marriage was blessed with one son and six daughters. The son and two daughters died in childhood and Amanda, wife of P L Johnson, on July 28, 1887 The remaining three daughters are living. Mrs. W O Ferguson of Butte, Montana, Mrs. I J Hoare of Rock Island, and Mrs. A. G. Erickson of Bishop Hill Likewise there survive him ten grandchildren, a brother in Mo parish, Sweden, Magnus Johnson, and a sister, Mrs. Andrew Wahlstrom, of Galva. The funeral took place on Saturday afternoon, November 17th at the home, Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Ericson's, where the deceased resided the later years of his life. Rev. J. A. Ericson read a portion of scripture, and Rev. Eric Benson, a close personal friend of the deceased, spoke briefly. The services at the Colony church and at the cemetery were conducted by Revs. J A. Ericson and Axel Gabrielson The singing was by a quartet. The high esteem in which the deceased was held was shown by the many floral tributes and by the very large attendance Mr. Johnson was a man of commanding physique, of sterling character and of a sympathetic disposition He was active in religious, philanthropic and political affairs. For a number of years he ministered to the spiritual wants of the. attendants of the Colony church. He did not forget to help the poor. As to offices of public trust, he had served as supervisor, assessor, justice of the peace, collector, school trustee and school director. He was vice president of the Voluntary Donative society at the time of his death He was actively interested in the county as well as in the Bishop Hill Old Settlers' associations. He will be missed because he was a man of action. He will be remembered for his character and his deeds.

Sources

• Genealogy of the members of the Bishop Hill Colony and related families