Willmar tribune., 1921-09-21
ELIAS !; / JObl son
FAHIUN PIONEER
Beautiful Tribute to the Life Of a
Highly Honored Pioaeer
Citizen =, ..->

e---.-s~ Higher Life. 81
| Mr. Elias Johnson Of Fahlun Town
ship, Kandiyohi County, passed on to |
MS Eternal rest Tuesday, September
18th, 1921, after a lingering illness
que to old age. He was surrounded
Dy Oved ones who had constantly mi
nlstered Unto him keeping vigil day
and night until the final summons
came. Mr.. Elias Johnson was born
n Nmeboda, Sweden, January 30,
| 1888. Game to America along with
bis family mere FAD of 16.years. His
! father was stricken with a pestilence
then raging almost Immediately after
| arriving at Taylors Falls Shortly af-
ter his mother died, leaving him and
three other sons and one daughter,
! All of whom have passed on before.
On July 2Sth, 1866, he was united in
/ marriage to Miss Sophia Hawkinson
! at St. Anthony, Minnesota, with whom
/ he lived a most beautiful life until
+ her untimely death March 27, 1886.
In 1869 Mr.. and Mrs. Johnson settled
on the homestead in town of Fahlun
which has since been the family home
After the death of his wife he devot-
ed all his time and energy to his sons
and daughters and numerous friends
His entire life has. been busy one
full OF good deeds to his fellowmen.
THE. world is better for his having
Lived in it." He was an optimist, he
could even smile through tragedy in
life always knowing that God in his
great wisdom knoweth best. Early in
life he Joined the ranks of Gods great
army of Christian soldiers. The on
ward march was long and often hard,
| h,,t 1iEo %,.,,o ha
er onward, upward to his great Goal
be ready at any moment when God
called him and to teach others to SO
count their days that they too might
be ready.
1t mattered not with him how heavy
the clouds, how misty the eyes grew,
how fierce the battle there was within
his heart that calm abiding peace.
Gods gift to His own. He has given
| to his soRs and daughters the great
est heritage man can give, the men,
4 0ry Of a beautiful, noble life. He was
| never selfish nor irreproachable, al
ways kind, patient and c0nsiderate.
] He had dauntless courage, and was
charitable, loving and forgiving. The
i keynote of his life was truly the Col
den Rule.
I Mr.. Johnson was a charter member
1 of the Oak Park Methodist church.
! He always tried in his humble way to
do. his share in the upbuilding of the
Kingdom He loved Gods. servants,
! he was sympathetic and helpful to
all regardless Of race or creed.
The funeral services were conduct
ed first at the family residence at one
O'Clock and at the church at p. m.
Rev. l.. G. Edgren ofticiated, assisted
by Rev. E. A. Wahlquist OF St. Paul
who had also officiated at Mrs. John
sons burial. Rev. Wahlquist deliv-
cred his message in English and Rev.
Edgren in Swedish. Both spoke words
of comfort and sympathy to the mour'
ners and paid touching tributes to
The life of Mr.. Johnson whom they
had learned to love so we'll They
sang together hymn which had been
sung at Mrs. Johnson's funeral, Ca
thering Home" Miss Hazel BrOman
sang beautiful Isle of Somewhere
and "Face to Face" Burial was in
Oak Park cemetery beside his wife.
Floral offerings were beautiful and
numerous from relatives and friends,
expressing their sweet sentiments of
faith, hope aud love, Heavens sweet
| est gifts 10 SOrrOWlnS neartS.
He leaves to mourn him twelve
children, the eldest son having pre-
ceded him in DEATH several grand
children and countless friends.
AS were his thoughts so were his deeds
! AS he grandiy lived SO he nobly died
! The years rolled on the form grew frail
| The gates or Heaven opened wide
When the Master called him in. his
place to fill.
| The earthly home below grew hushed
| and still.
Some day, dear father. we arc coming
| too
| If only we succeed in living UP to you
| We know we must be getting ready
| Without you the load is heavy
We are coming-one by one.
A Tribute from Daughter
DAY AFTER TOMORROW