INLAWREN-OBITS-L Archives

From: Diana S Flynn <>
Subject: JOHN JOHNSON, SR. - 1892
Date: Fri, 31 Mar 2006 14:16:44 -0500

BEDFORD DEMOCRAT
BEDFORD, INDIANA
FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1892

OBITUARY.

Died at his home in the city of Bedford, at 1 o'clock p.m. Saturday,
February 27th, 1892, of paralysis, after an illness of six weeks of la
grippe and pneumonia, John Johnson, Sr. His funeral took place from St.
Vincent De Paul's Catholic church on Tuesday, March 1st, 1892. The
impressive funeral sermon was preached, and ceremonies performed by the
Rev. Father Bogeman, pastor of the church. The honorary pall bearers
were, John Sherlock, of Harrodsburg, Ed. Waterson, of Salem, Samuel May,
of Guthrie, Morris Leehey, Martin O'Brian and Wm. Rynn of this city, who
have been intimate friends of the deceased since 1852. Long before the
hour for the services to begin the church was completely filled with the
friends and neighbors of the deceased, to witness the ceremonies and bid
a last adieu to their old time friend whose loss they so deeply and sadly
deplored. After the services at the church was concluded the remains were
followed to the cemetery, and the interment witnessed by a large
concourse of friends, notwithstanding the disagreeable weather. Thus has
quietly passed away one of Bedford's most loved and honored citizens
after a long and busy life of usefulness here. He has gone to his
reward.

Rest in peace then gentle spirit
Wafted hence on wings of love;
Peaceful be they rest beyond us
In those portals far above.

A FRIEND.
********
IN MEMORIAM.

John Johnson, Sr., the subject of this sketch, lived so long and so
closely to all that but a brief statement of his file and history will
suggest volumes to the older and middle aged citizens of our city and
county. He was born in Mitchells Town, County Cork, Ireland in the year
1819, and together with his father and mother came to this country in
1827, when but a mere lad, his parents making their first home in
Burlington, Vermont where deceased was reared to manhood. He was married
to Miss Catharine Murphy who still survives him in 1849, at Burlington,
Vermont where they lived together until May, 1854, when they emigrated to
Indiana, and settled at White river bridge in this county but a short
distance south of this city. At that time the railroad bridge was being
constructed over White river and the deceased was placed in charge of the
machinery that lifted into place the stones that constructed the
abutments and pieces of that structure. In 185_ deceased purchased the
property whereon he lived and died. He was the father of thirteen
children, six of whom have preceded him over the dark river, all were
born in this county save one, John Johnson, Jr., who was born in Vermont.
The remaining ones are yet residents of our city, and together with the
weeping widow, the mother of his children, whose every heart is filled
with anguish at their sea bereavement. Deceased possessed a most noble
nature with a heart that went out in the tenderest sympathies to all
classes of suffering humanity, he possessed the most ardent love for his
family and being naturally d______ ___ his disposition all his time ___
a_____ duly required at his place of business was spent in the family
circle.

He was generous and self sacrificing using every effort to render all
happy and content with whom he came in contact, ever using his utmost
exertions to __guile sorrow which was so forcibly demonstrated in his
last sickness, using every exertion to prevent his family from having or
realizing a just conception of his painful suffering, which we borne
without a murmur.

His was the first Irish home established in Bedford and how many
wandering Irishmen whose hearts were made glad by his hospitality, so
generously extended to all who pulled the "latch string" of his door,
where they were welcomed and made happy by words of kindness and
encouragement.

Deceased was a man of more than ordinary ability; sagacious and possessed
to an eminent degree of wit and humor characteristic of his race; was
most interesting as a conversationalist, possessing a fund of knowledge
and information, and by his close observation of men and things he could
readily by his profuse flow of language, communicate his thoughts in the
most interesting manner, embellishing them with his genuine Irish humor
at every period.

Such is but a faint and feeble presentation of the life and character of
our deceased friend whose loss will be long felt by this community, but
much more and longer will it be felt and realized by his aged widow, who
for so many long years was the sharer of his joys and sorrows, and who so
tenderly ministered to his every want until the last sad moment when
together with her weeping children, she stood by his bedside and
witnessed the ebbing out of the earthly existence of the faithful and
affectionate husband and indulgent father.

A FRIEND.

NOTE: John Johnson, Sr.: 1819 – 27 Feb 1892. Born Co. Cork Ire. Co. B
145 Reg. Burial at Green Hill Cemetery, Bedford.

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• JOHN JOHNSON, SR. - 1892 by Diana S Flynn <>