Ole Jonson

Ole Johnson was born in Norway, April 21st, 1838, when 20 years of age - like many of his countrymen he came to the United States and located in Wisconsin where he lived one year, from there he went to California where after a residence of seven years he moved to this State. He was married Sept. 11th, 1869 at Moris [sic] Ill., to Miss Anna L. Bruce who is left to tread Life's pathway without his companionship. To them were born nine children, two dying in infancy, the seven living children are:  Mrs. Nettie Paterson of Buckley, Mrs. Carrie Johnson of Strawn, Mrs. Martha Miller of this place, Joe, Lewis, Grace and Willie the four last named are at home. All the children were at the bedside during the day he died, and all were there at the last struggle except Mrs. M. Miller and Mrs. C. Johnson. Brother Johnson was converted and united with the M.E. church under the labor of David Pearce a devoted local preacher in August 1872 near Roberts, Ill. He held an exhorters license and was class leader in the church of his choice. He was a true man, an earnest christian, a faithful follower of the Lord and the testimony of his neighbors was, "He was a good man." About ten year ago consumption attacked his system, although he suffered a great deal he bore it patiently and when the last struggle came he could say to death's uplifted Dark Aim sure. Oh! Why delay? Thou will not find a fearful heart, a weak reluctant Prey."
At a few minutes before 2 o'clock on the early morning of Jan., 8, 1898, the wearied wheels of Life stood still and the soul of Ole Johnson passed to the better shore of the Spirit Land to meet and greet the father, mother and two little ones who had gone before.
His age was 59 years, 8 months, 13 days.
The funeral services were held in the M.E. church of Melvin, Ill., Jan, 10th 1898. Rev. J. B. Dille officiating. The remains were laid to rest in the cemetery at Roberts, Ill., beside his two little ones.

--Melvin Transcript.  14 January 1898.