Johnson William T. & Maria (Hetherington) died 1939

JOHNSON, HETHERINGTON, HARRISON

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 7/24/2026 at 08:55:25

William Theodore Johnson was born at Hanover, Germany, Jan. 10, 1838, at which place he resided for a period of eighteen years. He then moved to the Colony of Victoria, in Australia.

He resided there until 1875, at which time he came to Allamakee county, Iowa, where he lived for a period of six years. He then moved to Mitchell county, Iowa, and lived on a farm near McIntire until he moved to McIntire, three years ago last November.

Maria Hetherington Johnson was born in Vacan, Ireland, on the 26th day of March, 1841, at which place she resided for a period of eighteen years. She then moved to the Colony of Victoria, in Australia. Here, four years later, she was married to William Theodore Johnson, June 10, 1862.

As before stated, the family resided in Australia until 1875, at which time they came to Iowa, and resided in Allamakee and Mitchell counties until the end came to both during the present week.

To this happy and congenial couple was born four children, Elizabeth, Robert, Maria and Theodore Johnson, three of whom are living at this place. Maria (Johnson) Harrison departed this life about eleven years ago.

The parents of these children fully realized the fact that we must look to the home for the perpetunty of this government and the progress of Christ's earthly kingdom, and these parents, who were faithful and consistent members of the Baptist church, gave to their children good and wholesome training, and these children have been aided much by the pure life and Godly walk of their father and mother.

They have learned to love them better as the days have come and gone, and these children will miss their devoted parents much in the days which are to come.

This father and mother were at all times dependable; they were excellent citizens, neighbors and friends; and they were interested much in the things which tend to make our community better and life worth living. Those who knew these old people best are they who loved them most. Surely this couple put into practice the teaching of that beautiful poem which admonishes us to:

"So live, that when thy summons comes to join
That innumerable caravan, which moves
To that mysterious realm, where each shall take
His chamber in the silent halls of death
Thou go not, like the quarry slave at night,
Scourged to his dungeon, but, sustained and soothed,
By an unfaltering trust, approach they grave like
One who draws the drapery of his couch
About him and lies down to pleasant dreams."

Mrs. Johnson passed away Tuesday at about 9:30 p.m. from the effects of pneumonia. Mr. Johnson died Thursday afternoon at about 2:30, their deaths occurring about forty-eight hours apart. Mr. Johnson's death was the result of blood poisoning, having scratched his hand upon the kitchen door latch a few days before.

A double funeral was held at the Baptist church Saturday afternoon, the services being conducted by Rev. McElroy, of Osage, and Rev. Bodenham. The large gathering of people and the abundance of floral offerings tend to show the gret esteem to which this couple was held in this community. Interment was made in the Wayne cemetery.
--McIntire Correspondent

~Mitchell County Press and The Osage Journal, Osage, Wednesday, May 9, 1917; pg 6