Source: Tampico Tornado, Thursday, April 22, 1926

PIONEER RESIDENT PASSED AWAY

Death of John H. Johnson on April 16, Ended a Long and Useful Life

This community suffered still another great loss in the passing of John H. Johnson of Fairfield last week Friday, when an honored and upright citizen came to the end of a long life of usefulness.

Mr. Johnson was a resident of Fairfield for over sixty years, during which time he made hosts of friends by his upright dealings and courteous dispostion to all with whom he came in contact. In his death another of the pioneers who helped to develop this great state has been called in his reward, and leaves behind him the record of a life well spent and a work well done.

Obitiuary

John H. Johnson, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Johnson, was born in Denmark, March 3, 1841. When he was about twenty-three years of age he came to the United States, and settled in Fairfield Township, Bureau County, Illinois. He was one of the early settlers of that community. Many of his friends and neighbors have come and gone, but God has seen fit, in His wise providence, to spare his life to a ripe old age. At the time of his decease he lived on the old home farm 'about seven miles southeast of Tampico, Illinois. Mr. Johnson had married twice, his first wife was Lizzie Nelson. She passed away about twenty-four years ago. To this couple were born nine children, seven of whom survive this great loss.

On April 12, 1906, Mr. Johnson was married to Mrs. Jennie Wormley. He was a member of the English Lutheran Church. For some time his health had been failing, and in the morning of April 16, 1926 he quietyly passed away. Aged 85 years, 1 month and 13 days.

Those left to mourn this loss are - his widow, Mrs. Jennie Johnson of Fairfield Township; seven children, Albert Johnson of California, David Johnson and Wesley Johnson of North Dakota, Mrs. Anna Peterson of New Bedford, Ill., Mrs. Nora Sarson of Long Beach, Calif., Mrs. Tula Kirkpatrick of Long Beach, Calif., Mrs. Wilda Jensen of Tampico, Ill., also 11 grandchildren, a number of nephews and nieces, many relatives and a great number of friends.

Funeral services were held at the home on Sunday afternoon, April 18th at 1 o'cock and at the Fairfield Lutheran church at two o'clock. Rev. E. A. Woodrow, pastor of the Tampico Methodist Episcopal church, officiating. Several beautiful hymns were sung by a male quartet, Will Steers, N. A. Johnson, Clint Brooks and Edward Berge, accompanied on the piano by Mrs. Homer Steers. Those who acted as pall-bearers were six nephews, John Johnson, Peter Johnson, Theodore Johnson, William Johnson, Wayne Johnson and Fred Johnson.

Interment was in the Greenville Cemetery in Fairfield Township.