Ole J. Johnson (1858-1935)

JOHNSON, OLSON, THOMPSON, SATRE, HANSON, SANSGAARD

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 8/2/2024 at 13:50:10

From Story City Herald April 25, 1935 (page 1)

JOHNSON FUNERAL LAST THURSDAY

A large concourse of relatives and friends gathered at the St. Paul's church, north of Rosendale, last Thursday afternoon to attend the last rites of Ole J. Johnson, whose death the preceding Monday was chronicled in last week's Herald.

Rev. Oppedal officiated and two beautiful vocal selections were rendered by Mrs. Ben Anderson and Ted Quam. The pall bearers were J. B. Thompson, J. V. Chalma, S. E. Swenson, O. O. Westre, Chas. Hove and Chas. Nelson. Besides the large number of friends from the nearby towns of Jewell, Story City, Stanhope and Randall, the following from a distance were noted:

Mr. and Mrs. Pete Steness of New Richland, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. Ole Ryen and Mr. and Mrs. Chris Ersland of Huxley; Mrs. Malinda Severson and Mr. and Mrs. Luther Severson of Slater; Selid Overland of Sioux Falls, S.D.; Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Kepler and Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Kepler of St. Paul; Alex Henderson of Ames; Hans Omvig of Des Moines; the O. J. Satre family of Webster City; Ove Holland of Roland; Mr. and Mrs. Olaf Hanson, Boone. All the immediate members of the family were present, including Mr. and Mrs. Lewis E. Johnson of St. Paul and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hanson of Ft. Dodge.

Obituary

Ole J. Johnson, son of John and Signi Olson, was born in Kane county, Illinois, April 2, 1858, and died at Roland, Iowa, April 15, 1935 aat 12:20 p.m., being 77 years and 13 days old, heart trouble of very short duration causing his death.

Mr. Johnson spent his childhood days in Kane county with his parents. In 1867 the family left Kane county in search of a new home. They boldly headed westward over the wild untamed and uncharted prairies of Iowa. Progress was slow but they plodded on until they arrived at Boonesboro in Boone county. After about two years stay there, the family moved to a farm in Scott township, Hamilton county, at which place Ole stayed with his parents about six years.

Mr. Johnson was now a young man of 18 years of age, thought it about time for him to make a home for himself. Accordingly, it was about 1875 he came out to Ellsworth township and located on the the farm known as the O. J. Johnson farm. With youthful vigor and true pioneer spirit he set about to break the virgin soil and prepare it for yielding its increase. On this original 80 acre plat Mr. Johnson cheerfully shred the hardships and meagerness characteristic of these early years with his pioneer neighbors, but also shared with them the hope and joys of the early pioneer life.

Feb. 28, 1885, Ole Johnson was married to Laura Thompson in the St. Paul church. To this union seven children were born, all of whom survive. They are Mrs. Sena Satre of Stanhope, Thomas of Jewell, James of Story City, Lewis of St. Paul, Minn., Mrs. Olive Hanson of Fort Dodge, Clarence and Mrs. Alma Sansgaard, both of Jewell. He is also survived by one brother, Charles Johnson of Hadley, Minn., and by twelve grandchildren and many other relatives.

Mr. Johnson was happy in his home and family. And he enjoyed the assistance of a faithful wife and mother. But on November 23, 1912, the unstaying hand of death removed the beloved wife and mother from the home circle. However, the home remained. Ole Johnson enjoyed his homestead home for 60 years.

O. J. Johnson affiliated with St. Paul church the earliest years of his pioneer days. He was a substantial and faithful member who was deeply interested in the church and its well being.