(Photo of Mr. Peter D. Johnson) (Photo of Mrs. Peter D. Johnson) (Family Photo: Caption – A Remarkable Family Group Of Pioneers)

At 1:35 last Saturday afternoon, March 3rd, 1906, the spirit of Mrs. Peter D. Johnson was freed from this earth and went to join those “on the other side.” She was conscious up to about 6 o’clock in the morning and recognized her six children all of whom were at her bedside. After that she sank, gradually down the slope of a long and beautiful life.

The funeral was held at 2 o’clock Tuesday afternoon from the home on east Colfax street. Rev. J. F. Poucher, of Norfolk, officiating. The remains were laid to rest in the Blair cemetery by the side of her husband, whose death occurred January 20th, 1885.

Mrs. Johnson had been bedfast for about five weeks with cancer of the bowels, but during that time she suffered little pain. She was past 84 years of age and her wonderful vitality could not withstand the ravages of this ever fatal disease.

Anna Maria Anderson was born Aug. 17, 1821, near Christiana, Norway and was married to Peter D. Johnson in that country in October 1847. About a month later they came to this country, settling in New Orleans, La., where Mr. Johnson worked at the shipbuilder’s trade for nine years.

In 1857 they came to Washington county and took a homestead out on York Creek where they lived for seven years. They then purchased the farm located just southeast of this city where they were living at the time of Mr. Johnson’s death in 1885. Twelve years ago Mrs. Johnson moved into the house in this city where she died.

Six children are now living: Mrs. Louisa Anderson, of Wisner, Neb., Mathilda Johnson, Mrs. C. O. Krogh, Josephine Johnson, Mrs. F. E. Bugeon and Mrs. J. O. Gustason, all of this city.

Mrs. Johnson came of a remarkably long lived family. Her father, Andrew Anderson, sr., lived to be 88 years of age. Her brothers Soren and Louis Anderson both died at the age of 87, while her sister, Mrs. Caroline Petersen reached the age of 79 years.

But one brother is now living, Andrew Anderson, jr., and he will be 80 if he lives until the 24th of next August. There are two sisters living, Mrs. Watson Tyson, sr., who will be 73 on August 22nd and Mrs. George Tyson, of Shullsburg, Wis., who will be 77 this coming May.

#2-8 Mar., 1906 - The Blair Democrat - Anna Maria (Anderson) Johnson

DEATH OF ANOTHER PIONEER

Mrs. Peter Johnson Dies at Ripe Old Age of Nearly Eighty Five.

Mrs. Peter Johnson died at her home on east Colfax street last Saturday at 1:35 p.m., and was buried in the Blair cemetery by the side of her deceased husband who died about twenty years ago at the age of 72. The funeral was held at the Johnson home Tuesday afternoon and was conducted by Rev. J. F. Poucher of Norfolk, in accordance with the request of Mrs. Johnson before her death.

Deceased was born in Norway August 17, 1821 and was 84 years, six months and fourteen days of age. She was married to Peter Johnson in November, 1846, and came to America with her husband the following year, locating first in New Orleans where they remained for nine years, and came to Nebraska in 1857, they being among the pioneers of this state. Mrs. Johnson was a member of the Lutheran church in Norway, but upon coming to America united with the Methodist church.

Mrs. Johnson was highly respected and had many friends who will greatly miss her. She was a good wife, mother and friend and rejoiced with those who were happy and was sympathetic with all who were in sorrow or distress; her greatest desire being to be useful to her God and those about her, always ready and willing to aid others but never neglecting her home or children. Hers was a character seldom met with and the whole community mourns with the family in their loss.

Those of the family who are left are as follows: Two sisters, Mrs. Watson Tyson, Sr. of Blair and Mrs. George Tyson of Wisconsin; one brother, Andrew Anderson of this city; and six daughters: Mrs. Louisa Anderson of Wisner, Matilda Johnson, Mrs. Clara Krogh, Josephine Johnson, Mrs. Minnie Burgeon and Mrs. Leatsey Gustason, all of this city, and all of whom were at home during their mother’s entire illness, and who did all in their power to comfort her.

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~