Christian A. Johnson (1864-1936)

JOHNSON, BERKNESS, OLSON, OWENSON, BOYD

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 8/19/2024 at 13:13:03

From Story City Herald August 13, 1936 (page 70

CHRISTIAN JOHNSON OBITUARY

Chris Johnson, 72, a well known farmer living on the north side of primary 69 west of Randall, was killed instantly Thursday morning of last week, at about 8 o'clock, when he was hit by an auto driven by W. F. Kline, a Des Moines druggist, who with his wife was enroute to Clear Lake. Another car had driven by some distance ahead of the Kline car and his one of Johnson's chickens a short distance west of the Johnson house. Mr. Johnson walked out on the road to pick up the chicken which lay upon the black line almost exactly in the middle of the paving. The spot is about a quarter mile west of the east curve in the highway, so the driver of the westbound Kline car had ample view after rounding the curve and pulled over on the north side of the road, but not far enough, the fender of his car hitting Johnson just as he stooped over to pick up the chicken. Johnson was knocked down, hitting his head on the pavement and fracturing his skull.

The Kline car stopped and called a physician and the body was taken to the Fleenor funeral parlor in Jewell. The county sheriff and coroner, James O'Malley and Dr. E. R. Rambo, were called and investigated the affair, but it was decided no inquest was necessary.

Christian A. Johnson, son of Peter and Martha Johnson, was born at Stavanger, Norway, Sept. 18, 1864, and died at his home in Hamilton county, Iowa, August 6, 1936, at the age of 71 years, 10 months and 18 days. He came to America in 1875 when 11 years old and lived 11 years at Morris, Ill. At the age of 22 Mr. Johnson went to the west coast, where he worked as a railroad surveyor.

On July 5, 1889, he married Miss Julia Berkness Johnson in Tacoma, Wash. They went to Morris, Ill., in 1891. In 1905 Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, with four children, came to Randall, having purchased a farm a mile and a half west of town. They lived at their present home since coming to Iowa, with the exception of the years 1915 to 1918, when they lived in Story City.

Mr. Johnson was one of the very prominent and prosperous farmers in the vicinity. He was a kind and faithful father, vitally interested in the welfare of his family. He was baptized in Norway, confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Morris, Ill., and for 31 years had been a member of the Elim Lutheran church at Randall.

Mr. Johnson is survived by his wife and five children, Mrs. Pearl Olson at home, Mrs. Orville Owenson of Randall, Rev. Clarence J. Johnson of MIles City, Mont., Herbert M. Johnson of Webster City, and Milford C. Johnson of Randall. A daughter, Mrs. Murvin (Sarah) Boyd, died June 27, 1919. Other surviving relatives include a half-brother, Cornelius, living in Norway, 20 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

Funeral services were conducted Sunday, August 9, from the home at 1:30 and from Elim Lutheran church in Randall at 2, Rev. J. O. Paulsrud officiating. Mesdames P. Peterson and C. Larson rendered a duet and Ralph Okland sang a solo at the service. The pall bearers were Selmer Stevenson, Severt Holland, Will Johnson, Peter J. Okland, Lars J. Raymond and John Larson. Interment was made at the Mt. Olive cemetery.

A sum of $16 was given to missions and charity in honor of the deceased by the following: Mr. and Mrs. Peter Berkeness and family, Mr. and Mrs. John Berkeness and family, Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Erickson, Mr. and Mrs. Gus Okland, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Evans, A. Fossel family, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Oswood and family, and friends of the Randall community.