Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1922-01-04
DIR. JOHNSON DIES
IN EVERETT, I; R. : T | WASH.
Former Prominent Resident Of
Willmar Answers Sudden
Call
WAS MAYOR AND PRESIDENT
OF BOARD OF EDUCATION
Practiced Medicine in County For
Thirty Years. Founded The Will
mar Tribune in 1885, Was ForcefuI
Writer and Speaker. !.

DR.. Christian Johnson, we'll known
former Willmar citizen and for thirty
six years practicing physician in this
county. passed away early Tuesday
morning. Jan. 8, 1922, at Everett,
Wash, following an operation per-
formed on the previous Friday. A
telegram was received by the editor
of the Tribune Tuesday morning an
nouncing the death, and the news was
received with regret by the Willmar
people generally. DR.. Hans Johnson,
the son, Of Kerkhoven, left at once for
Washington, and expected to arrange
for the bringing back of the remains
for interment at Willmar if possible.
1t is expected that the final plans for
the burial will be known to local
friends by Saturday. 5
DR.. Christian Johnson was born in
Jutland, Denmark. July II, 1868. He
received thorough classical academ-
lc education at his home and came to
America in 1870. He studied medi-
cine i'll Boston and Baltimore, gradu-
ating from the Washington University
Medical School in Baltimore in 1875.
The next three years he spent in Eur
ope, taking postgraduate courses in
several European medical schools. In
1878 he came to Minnesota and soon
after began practicing medicine at
Royalton. in Morrison county. 49,.
In 1885 Dr.. Johnson came to New
London and built up a fine practice.
He was the first resident physician
in the north part of the county and his
name was a household word thruout
the country districts where he was
respected and loved by those whom he
was always willing to help in times of
distress. He took leading part in
the affairs of the community. He
welded a fluent pen and often wrote
for publication in the newspapers and
magazines. His contributions to the
New London Times, of which the
writer was the editor from 1889 to
1895, were always welcomed and at
tracted much attention. 49,. .-.
In 1895 Dr. Johnson moved to Will
mar and extended his practice mater
tally. Before the advent Of the auto
mobile DR.. Johnson travelled by team
in answer to calls more than ten
thousand miles during each of several
years. In 1896 he was elected alder
man in Third Ward, and the following
year was elected President of the will
age and was reelected in 1898. In
1900 he was elected a member of the
Board Of Education and became it's
president. He was active in the diff
ferent medical associations of district,
state and nation. He was a member
in number of fraternities including
the Masons, Woodmen, Workmen and
affiliating orders. -
In 1895 DR.. Johnson at the solicita.
ton OF the farmers of the county, un-
dertook to establish a newspaper to
voice the demands Of the common
folks, and the result was the birth of
the Willmar Tribune, in the early
spring. He continued to write edit
orials in the same for several years.
TWO years ago, on the occasion of the
papers 25th birthday. our readers will
recall contribution in honor of the
OCCASION Since leaving Willmar, an
occasional letter from Everett from
his pen has found eager readers.
DIR. Johnson was thrice married. In
1878 he was married to Miss Christine
Sorrenson, who died in 1882. Two chill
dren were born in this marriage. In
1885 he married Mrs. Betty Olson. She
passed away at Willmar. In May
1918. DR.. johnson was married to Mrs
Augusta NJ Carlson of Minneapolis
who survives him at the new home al
Everett, Wash, whittier they moved
year before last. The deceased is al
so mourned by two surviving sons
DR.. Hans Johnson Of Kerkhoven anC
Fred G. Ramsing of Anaconda, Mont
ana, one daughter, Miss Hanna John
son Of international Falls, the widow
of the deceased son Harold, who lives
at Butler. ILL.,, and seven grand chill
dren. One son, Edward, passed ava,
about three years ago.
r. DR.. Johnson was real democrat
He hated the shams and arrogance O.
aristocrats, both real and would.be
In the days of his full yigor he wa:
ready without hesitation to fight fol
his ideals with word and pen. Now ht
is gone, and in many a home in oul
county, keen regret will be felt at the
demise of the man SO well known a!
their friend in sickness and trouble.
Death loves = shining mark, 4 sig
nal blow. "a 1S7
q