Johnson, Aaron F. 1863-1911

JOHNSON, PETERSON, MICHAELSON

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 8/31/2024 at 14:35:04

Note: His mother's maiden is Peterson.

DEATH LURKS AT CROSSING
AKRON FAMILY IS PRACTICALLY ANNIHILATED
Aaron F. Johnson, Wife and Daughters,
Returning by Auto from Visit
at Kiron, Iowa, Struck by
Train Near Galva, Iowa.

Death, sudden and unexpected, took terrible toll from Akron's citizenship yesterday. A little over a week ago, Mr. and Mrs. Aaron F. Johnson and three little daughters, Florence, Fern and Dorothy, drove in their auto to Kiron, Iowa, to visit her parents, Mr. and -Mrs. Michelson, and other relatives. Yesterday morning they started on the return trip home. At about noon they approached a crossing a half mile west of Galva, in Sac county, they apparently heard no warning and proceeded at a good rate. Screened by a grove, a fast Northwestern passenger train, eastbound from Sioux City, came thundering along and struck the car squarely as it emerged from a deep cut and passed upon the track. The machine was carried along before the engine for a distance of 100 feet and was thrown off into a ditch just before the train was stopped. Mrs. Johnson and Dorothy, the youngest, aged 5, were instantly killed, being found on the cow catcher of the engine. Mr. Johnson and Florence, the eldest, aged 9, were removed from the wrecked car and Fern, aged 7, was on the ground beside the car, all three being terribly injured. The dead and injured were placed on the train and taken back to Kiron and medical aid obtained. Mr. Johnson regained slight consciousness, but could give no details. He died about an hour after the accident. A special train conveyed them to Sioux City, that the injured girls might be given the best of care in a hospital, but Florence passed away at about 8 o'clock as the train neared Moville. Fern was placed in St. Joseph's hospital there in a very critical condition, but report comes late this afternoon that she has rallied and hope is held out for her recovery. Dr. Koch went down from here this evening to consult with the attending physicians.

News of the terrible tragedy came here yesterday afternoon in a telegram from a Galva bank to the Akron Savings bank and in a telephone message to A. L. Yeaton, partner of A. L. Johnson in the real estate business. It was a great shock to Mr. Johnson's aged father, his sister, Mrs. A. G. A. Palm, and family, as well as to the entire community. A family unusual .in its splendid devotion to one another, and held in the highest respect among all acquaintances, the contemplation of their sudden hurling into eternity brings tears unbidden to the eyes of all friends and an outpouring of sympathy to the relatives bereaved in a measure seldom equailed.

The remains of Mr. and Mrs. Johnson and two daughters will arrive here tomorrow (Friday) forenoon from Sioux City. As the paper goes to press, funeral arrangements are indefinite, but it is planned to hold services here either Saturday or Sunday in the Baptist church, of which they were members.

Mr. and Mrs. Michaelson, parents of Mrs. Johnson, arrived here this evening from Kiron.

[Source: The Akron Register Tribune; Thursday, August 10, 1911; Volume 24, Number 52, Page 1]

OBITUARIES
Aaron F. Johnson was born April 7, 1863, in Sweden, and came to the United States with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. P. J. Johnson, in 1868. They first located in Alamakee county, Iowa, and after a residence there of two and a half years moved to Union county, S. D., near Big Springs, where they took a homestead, which yet remains in the possession of the family. Aaron remained on the farm until 1890, when he came to Akron and bought the interest of his brother-in-law, A. G. A. Palm, in the general store conducted by him and Aaron's brother, Chas. E. Johnson. The firm of Johnson Bros, continued as one of Akron's leading business institutions for about ten years, when they sold out to Burgess & Smith. Since that Mr. Johnson has engaged in the real estate business here, during the past few years being associated with A. L. Yeaton, under the firm name of Johnson & Yeaton. He is survived by his aged father, P. J. Johnson, of this city; two sisters, Mrs. David Oberg, of Big Springs, S. D., and Mrs. A. G. A. Palm, of this city; two brothers, Gust., of Big Springs, S. D., and Chas. E., of Hawarden, Iowa, and their families.

Christine Michaelson was born at Kiron, Iowa, October 28, 1876, where she resided until her marriage to Aaron F. Johnson, May 26, 1900. She is survived by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. I. Michaelson, of Kiron, Iowa; one brother, Victor, of Kiron, and two sisters, Miss Amelia, of Kiron, and Miss Maud, of Chicago.

Mr. and Mrs. Johnson had resided in Akron since their marriage, and there came to bless and gladden their union three daughters Florence, born July 28, 1902; Fern, born November 11, 1903, and Dorothy born March 17, 1906. Florence and Dorothy met death in the accident with their parents. Fern, the sole survivor, lies critically injured in a Sioux City hospital.

All the immediate relatives of the family were present at the funeral here Sunday.
________________________________________

[Source: The Akron Register Tribune; Akron, Plymouth County, Iowa, USA; Thursday, August 17, 1911; Volume 25, Number 1, Page 4]

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Sioux City Journal: Friday Morning, August 11, 1911 -page 4
[Left photo: Mr. & Mrs. A. F. Johnson; Right photo: Fern, Florence & Dorothy]

A faint ray of hope is entertained by relatives, attending physicians and nurse at St. Joseph’s hospital for the recovery of Fern Johnson, the only survivor of the train-automobile collision near, Galva, Io., which resulted in the death of four members of the family of A. F. Johnson, of Akron, Wednesday noon. Fern, who sustained a fractured skull and minor bruises and body cuts was operated on at St. Joseph hospital yesterday morning by Drs. V. B. Knott and P. E. Sawyer.

The bodies of the other four members of the family, which were brought to Sioux City Wednesday night on a special train, will be taken to Akron this morning. The funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon.

The accident happened at a crossing near Galva. The motor car, which was driven at a high rate of speed, ran on the track from a deep cut, which prevented a view of the railroad track. Engineer Cody, in charge of the Northwestern passenger train, was unable to slacken the speed of his train on account of the slight warning of the accident.

Mrs. Johnson and the youngest daughter, Dorothy aged 6 years, were instantly killed. Mr. Johnson sustained injuries which proved fatal an hour later. Florence aged 10 years, died on a special train sent out by the railroad company to carry the survivors to local hospitals at 8 o’clock Thursday night near Moville. Fern aged 8 years, was removed to St. Joseph’s hospital.

The smaller girl standing in the picture is Fern. The larger one is Florence. The girl sitting is Dorothy.

***** SEE ADDITIONAL PUBLISHED NEWS--WITH PHOTOS* * * *
Sioux City Journal, Saturday, August 12, 1911 -page 14
FERN JOHNSON IMPROVES
Recovery of Only Survivor of Family Now Believed Possible.
Fern Johnson, the only survivor of the accident in which four members of the family of A. F. Johnson, of Akron, were killed Wednesday near Galva, was reported last night at St. Joseph’s hospital to be improving. She probably will recover unless complications set in.

The little girl, who is only a few months over 8 years old, has not been told of the accident in which her father, mother and two sisters met their death. The hospital authorities will keep the news from her until she recovers her strength.

The bodies of the accident victims were taken yesterday morning to Akron where the funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon. Interment will be in the Akron cemetery. Relatives of the lone member of the unfortunate branch of the Johnson family will take Fern into their homes. It is reported that A. F. Johnson left his daughter well provided for.

~~TRANSCRIBER NOTE: Fern Johnson did recover and later became Mrs. James Gallagher. Fern Gallagher was born Nov. 11, 1903 in Akron, IA. She passed away April 29, 1987. Fern lived to be 83 years of age.

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