John J. Jorgenson (1877-1919)

JORGENSON, JOHNSON, LEIN, ARNE

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 1/16/2025 at 12:47:14

From Jewell Record October 3, 1919 (page 2)

OBITUARY

John J. Jorgenson was born May 12, 1877, at the parental farm southeast of Stanhope, one fourth mile south of St. Paul's church. Here he lived until the time of his death, which occurred either on Tuesday or early Wednesday morning of last week.

The tragic ending of his life, brief mention of which was made in this paper last week, was discovered by his housekeeper, Mrs. Giles Vaugh, Wednesday night of last week, Sept. 24th, 1919, when she and her little girl returned home from a trip to Ames, where they had attended the fair, having been gone since Tuesday morning. They arrived home between 8:30 and 9:00 o'clock in the evening and upon entering the house made the horrifying discovery of Mr. Jorgenson's suicide. They immediately went to a neighbor's, Mr. Edwin Olson, and notified the coroner, Mr. Arch Foster of Webster City, and the undertaker, G. H. Dick, of Stanhope. The body was brought by Mr. Dick to Stanhope at about midnight and a coroner's inquest was held. The verdict of the coroner's jury, as stated in the Record last week, was that Mr. Jorgenson had committed suicide by shooting himself in the forehead, between the eyes, with a .44 calibre gun.

The body laid in state in Mr. Dick's undertaking rooms until Friday when funeral services were held at one o'clock, conducted by Rev. Oppedal. Interment was made in St. Paul's cemetery.

Deceased is survived by three sisters, Mrs. Belle Lein and Mrs. Sarah Johnson, both of Lake City, and Mrs. Julia Arne, of Eagle Grove, and by one half brother, Sam Johnson, of Canada, whose present address is unknown. These and some cousins living near here are the only living relatives. Mr. Jorgenson was unmarried, and his parents died some years ago, both being buried in St. Paul's cemetery.

Mr. Jorgenson was quite well to do, owning a 120 acre farm where he lived and considerable personal property. During the past summer he purchased a 376 acre farm near Blue Earth, Minn., on which a heavy payment was due March 1st. He had stated to friends that he planned to sell his home farm this summer, expecting by the proceeds of the sale to raise the funds to take care of the spring settlement on the Minnesota farm. And his failure in selling the home farm at the price he asked for it had caused him to worry recently, according to the statements of many with whom he had talked in recent weeks. It is believed that the worry thus caused unbalanced his mind, resulting in suicide.