Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1921-01-12
CELEBRATED sOth BIRTHDAY.
Our Venerable Citizen O. c. John.
son Given Reception in Church
Parlors.

met in their church parlors on Mon
day evening. Jan. 10th, to do honor
to one OF It's oldest and most faith
full members. The date was the
regular one for the semi-annual busi-
ness meeting of the congregation.
The really special occasion was the
80th birthday of. Mr.. o. c. Johnson.
A report of the business meeting is
given elsewhere in this paper. At the
close of the business session the con-
gregation assembled in the society
rooms, and Rev. TorriSon called for
the floor. On behalf of the congrega-
ton he congratulated the guest of
honor on having attained those years
to which the psalmist refers in the
Goth Psalm when he says: THE days
of our years are seventy years, and
| if by reason of strength they be
Ieighty years, yet is their strength
labor and sorrow, and we fly away.
Mr.. johnson has shown his strength
| in other ways than BY the attain
ment of an age Of 50 years. His ser
vices in the congregation have eN-
tended over a longer period of time
than those of any other member.
When Rev. Torrison first came TO
Luther College as student in the
early T0's, Mr.. Johnson was already
then a leader in the congregation.
For many years ne has been treas
urer of the church, and is even now,
in spite Of his years, member OF
the committee on services and official
meetings, and member of the joint
committee on cemetery. AS a re-
membrane from Hhe congregation
he presented Mr.. Johnson with
sum Of money and gold handled
umbrella engraved with the words,
''TiI o. c. johnson, Fra F. y. L. L.
Kirke, lode januar, 1921"
Professor C. X. Preus called for
the floor. Professor Preus first came
70 DEBORAH in 1865, then as stud
ent at the College. He still remem-
Ibers Mr.. johnson as a member OF
the F. \. E. L. church at that time
During all these years since that
early date he has been faithful
Iservant in the church, and regular
Iattendant upon services. Professor
IPreus described Mr.. Johnson as a
TYPE of the early pioneers who came
Ito this country from Norway. Those
people had two objects in view. The
first was the erection of homes for
themselves and their families. The
second was establishment of their
Church home. These two objects Mr..
johnson has attained to a marked de-
gree. IL is difficult to realize what
the work of such men means TO the
present generation, upon whom the
blessings from these earlier labors
fall. Mr.. Johnson is a credit TO the
congregation to which he belongs.
Were he missing from his place at
services, said Professor Freus, he in
the pulpit would feel that there was
something conspicuously out of order.
Not only is he a credit to his congre-
CATION, but a man of Mr.. Johnson's
character is a direct decoration TO
the community in which he lives. In
all the organizations TO which he be-
longs, in Symra, in his societies, in
business. in the city, and in the
county, he has held office, and dis
charged his duties without boasting,
with no demonstration, but always
with promptness and with accuracy.
In another vein Professor Preus con-
tinued with the saying, "A woman is
as old as she looks, and man IA
old as he feels" According to that
saying Mr.. Johnson must he among
the youngest in the city, il his inter-
est in the young men at the col
lege can be taken as any index OF
his feelings. Among those who take
Interest in College affairs, and show
their interest by attending doings
at the college, Mr.. Johnson must
be given first place. Football, basket
ball, base ball, debate, oratory, pub
lie program, concerts, let il be what
! it may, Professor PreUs' statement
was that he could recall only one
occasion upon which he had not
seen Mr.. Johnson there. Among
the college boys his presence has be-
come proverbial so that all know
him and recognize him. Therefore,
when it was stated at the supper
table that this loyal supporter of
their activities was that day celebrat-
ing his 80th birthday, the hat was
Immediately passed around, and
Professor Preus was asked to present
their gift with the congratulations
of the men at the college, with the