Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-11-24

a boat occupied by four high school
students capsized in the Mississippi,
and Fingal Hill persisted also, east a
shadow over the life of Mr.. Johnson
from which he never recovered. the
strain of two months waiting before
the finding of the body at St. Louis
having almost wrecked his nervous
system.
Mr.. Johnson was taken seriously
i'll during last winter and there were
fears then of fatal termination, but
with the approach of spring he show
ed Improvement, and in April. with
Mrs. Johnson, left for sojourn in
the west and southwest. The spring
and early summer were passed in
Texas and California, after which
they went to Colorado Springs. They
returned home the latter part of
September. Mr.. Johnson apparently
had been greatly benefited by his va
cation. but the Improvement proved
only temporary. and 10 days ago there
was relapse. and he took to his bed
never to leave it alive. He sank into
comatose sleep. his vital forces haV-
ing been exhausted. from which he
could not be aroused, the end coming
peacefully
Native of London England.
Mr. johnson was native of Lon
don, England. the son of John F. and
Harriette Augusta Johnson. The date
of his birth was April 81, 1S43. The
family came to America in 1851. set
Ting at Welton, Iowa. where the faith
err engaged in general merchandising.
Later the family home was in Lyons
and Davenport. and i'm 1867 they took
up residence in this city. Mr.. John
son was married in Rock Island to
Miss Ellen Head March %, 1869. The
wife survives with two daughters.
Misses Harriette \. and Marguerite
johnson. One brother, Henry p.
johnson. of Portland, Ore. half-sis-
| ter, Mrs. II. S. Glenn. and two step
brothers and one step-sister-L. B..
Driffil, of Davenport, and Fred Driffil
of Shafter. Texas. and Mrs. Emma
| Eddy. Of Boone. IOwa-survive also.
Mr.. johnson first became identified
with the Rock Island Union in 1868.
| beginning his newspaper career with
| the Davenport Democrat in 1866. He
had been with the Union continuously
|
mer and winter of 1873. when he was
on the editorial staff of the Chicago
| Inter-Ocean. When he returned from
| Chicago he purchased a fourth inter
est in the Union Printing company.
| Mr.. Johnson succeeded Capt. l.. NJ.
Havers tick as editor of the paper. in
which capacity he served until his
death. Twelve years ago, by purchas-
ing the interest of II. c. Ashbaugh.
Mr.. johnson became sole owner of
the property.
Since 1890 Mr.. Johnson had served
as member of the public library
board. In 1891 he was appointed by
President Benjamin Harrison survey
or of customs fer the port of Rock
Island He filed the position for
three years, when President Grover
Cleveland named j. r. Johnston TO
succeed him.
| Death Causes General Sorrow.
The high esteem in which Mr.. John
son was held was shown today in the
expressions of sorrow and sympathy
that came from all sides. From po-
litical friends and opponents the SEN
timent was the same. The quiet yet
conscientious way in which Mr.. John
son had gone along the way of life
had won him the esteem of his fellow
men in all the various walks. Apart
from the conspicuous part Mr.. john
son had played as the editor of rec
Iognized party paper, his identity with
many public spirited undertakings
and his willingness to be at all times
useful in the community, had made
! him not only one of the leading, but