ILL FOR YEAR BUT DEATH UNEXPECTED
Last Friday morning the entire community was shocked by the statement which spread over the city and community that at two-thirty that morning Geo. H. Johnson had died from a stroke of paralysis at his home in Protection.Mr. Johnson had been ill for the past year and had spent much time at Hot Springs. During the early part of last spring he had an aggravated case of the "flu" which culminated in a severe siege of pneumonia, leaving his heart and circulatory system debilitated.
Mr. Johnson went to Hot Springs during his convalescent period and returned to Protection some months ago, feeling much better. Since his return he had been looking after his business affairs as actively as before his illness.
About two o'clock Friday morning he called to his wife but before medical aid could reach him he expired as after calling for help he lived less than a half hour in a comatose condition.
George H. Johnson was one of the real builders of Protection. He was a man of intense spirit and convictions. His heart was large, his inclinations charitable, and to every cry of distress he gave a ready hearing and immediate substantial relief. Mr. Johnson was progressive and while a man who controlled and used considerable wealth, was humble and approachable in manner and considerate of the needs, frailties and misfortunes of his fellowman.
He was a community builder without peer in this section. After moving to Protection from his farm several years ago, he erected the building now known as the old Elite Hotel, just last fall he completed the construction of the large building occupied by the Field Mercantile Company. Also during his residence in Protection he has erected several dwellings, two of which, a home for himself and one for his daughter, were under construction at the time of his demise.
It would not be pessimistic to state that he had no enemies for he was too active a man of affairs not to given deep offenses to many. But his friends were numbered by the scores who knew the heart of the man or had felt and experienced his abounding charities. His deep and intensive interests to the affairs, not alone of the community, but his country, drew to him true and staunch friendships. But all - every person of the community - will regret the taking of Geo. H. Johnson from among the active ranks of our business men. Mr. Johnson leaves a large estate in realty holdings and business enterprises.
The funeral was held Sunday November 14th, and the body interred in the local cemetery.
Obituary Geo. H. Johnson was born at New __m, Minn., April 15, 1863, and died at his home in Protection, Kansas, Friday morning at 2:30, November 12, 1920, aged 57 years, 6 months and 17 days.
When he was two years of age his parents moved from the Minnesota home and established their home in Iowa. In this state he grew to manhood and spent his youth. He took up farming as his occupation and followed it more or less actively all his life.
On March 6, 18_6 (probably 1886), he was married to Miss Viola L. Fisher who, as a faithful and devoted wife and loving mother, is left to mourn his loss. To this union were born seven children, three sons and four daughters, all of whom are living to mourn the loss of a devoted, kind and doting father.
As a farmer in Iowa, he laid, by hard work, frugality and perseverance the foundations of his later financial success. Especially was Mr. Johnson a very successful stockman. Seeking a larger field for his activities he heard the further "call of the west" and moved from Iowa to Missouri in 1892. He resided in the state, being exceedingly fortunate in affairs until 1898, when he moved to Decatur county, Kansas. Here he followed grain growing and stock raising with marked success. But in the spring of 1907 he purchased land south of Protection and established his home in this community where he has lived until the time of his death.
About 1909 or 1910 he sold his land and moved to Protection and has since in many and varied capacities been an active and large financial figure of the business life of the community.
The immediate surviving relatives are his wife, Mrs. Viola L. Johnson, his four daughters, Mrs. John Hale, Mrs. Emma Bratcher, Mrs. Harrison Duncan and Mrs. Glenn Bragg; all of Protection, Kansas; his three sons, Henry and Ben Johnson of Protection, Kansas, and Fred Johnson of Grainfield, Kan.; too, his step-mother, Mrs. Henry Johnson, and his brother, E. E. Johnson, both of Kingman, Kansas; with two sisters, Mrs. Lona Townsend of Lebanon, Nebr., and Mrs. Etta McCarty of McCook, Nebr., are other relatives left to mourn his death.
The funeral conducted by the Rev. N. S. Franklin of the Christian church, was held from the First Christian church, Sunday, November 14th, at 4:00 p.m. and the remains, accompanied by a large number of relatives and friends, were laid to rest in the local cemetery.
Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!
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