Obituary for Otto Johnson from Gilman Star, 5 February, 1925

FORMER GILMAN MAYOR DIES

	Mr. Otto Johnson, formerly mayor of this city, where he resided for a
number of years and was well known, passed away at his home in the
village of Danforth, on last Monday morning.
	Death was due to heart trouble from which he suffered for a number of
years. During the past few years he was unable to leave his home. Just a
week before his death he suffered a severe attack of this ailment, and
during the days which followed he gradually grew weaker.
	Deceased was a member of the Gilman Camp of the Modern Woodmen of
America, and when Mr. and Mrs. Johnson celebrated their Golden
Anniversary last March, the members of the lodge went to their home in a
body and presented them with a bouquet of fifty roses.
	Funeral services were held at the Lutheran church in Danforth at two
o’clock Wednesday afternoon, Rev. H. Stachling officiating. Burial was
made in the Danforth cemetery.
Obituary
	Otto Johnson was born Oct. 27, 1851, at Moordorf, Germany and was the
oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. John Olten Johnson. When he was 7 years of
age, his parents came to America, locating in Woodford County. After 3
years they moved to Fairbury, Ill., and after a short time they came to
Danforth, Ill. In 1874 he was united in marriage with Miss Geshe Johnson
of Peoria and to this union 9 children were born, of whom one son died
in infancy.
	After their marriage they located on a farm near Forrest, Ill., and
after 4 years took up their residence at Danforth township, following
his occupation as a farmer.
	In 1900 he retired from active farm life and took up his residence in
Gilman, Ill., where he resided until 1919. During this stay he made many
friends and became a prominent citizen, serving the community in the
capacity as Mayor for 2 years. 
	Signs of failing health became very noticeable now, and the desire to
again be connected with his former church at Danforth, brought about the
decision to move back to Danforth, where he renewed his church
membership.
	The deceased friend’s health broke down visibly and for some years it
has been almost impossible for him to move about on account of a
diseased heart. A complication of ailments which then set in hastened
his death which occurred on Monday, Feb. 2, at 1:30 a. m. Aged 73 years,
3 months and 5 days.
	Those who mourn his death are his wife, the three daughters, Mrs. U. G.
Smid of Klemme, Iowa, Mrs. Alger Frerichs of Kankakee, and Mrs. Geo.
Reighel of Gilman, the sons George of Jackson, Minn., John of Ashkum,
Henry and Fred of Kankakee and Mike of Crescent City, and their
respective families. The brother M. J. Janssen of Danforth, the sisters,
Mrs. Nancy Pederson of Long Beach, Cal., Mrs. John Eden and Mrs. Cevia
Kohl of Kankakee and many near relatives and friends.


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