Mr. P. H. Johnson passed away at his home Wednesday afternoon following a short illness. He has been a resident of Arlington for many years and leaves to mourn him, his wife, Mrs. Emily Johnson, daughters Mrs. Fred Hunt, Misses Hulda, Clara, Esther and Agnes and two sons Ervin and Elmer. Funeral services were held at the Methodist church Friday afternoon, interment being made in the Arlington cemetery.

Note: Find A Grave # 44777002; Born 1843; Died Sept. 12, 1923; Buried Sec N; Lot 7 Arlington Cemetery; Name Peter H

# 2 - - from Arlington Review Herald, September 20, 1923

Arlington and surrounding community has suffered the loss of one of its oldest pioneer settlers in the death of Mr. Peter H. Johnson, who settled here more than fifty years ago.

Mr. Johnson was born at Ystad, Sweden, December 17th, 1843. His early years were spent in his native country, where he grew to manhood, and he was about twenty-seven years of age when he emigrated to the United States. That was in the year 1870, when the crossing of the ocean in sailing vessels was a very different matter from the stately steamship voyages of today. The ship on which he came was wrecked on the rocks of Halifax, Nova Scotia, and entirely lost, as were most of the passengers, only a few strong men being saved by swimming to a large rock in the ocean, on which they took refuge till picked up by a passing fisherman’s boat.

After this adventurous voyage, Mr. Johnson came right through the country to the new state of Nebraska, and spent some six months to a year at Florence, north of Omaha. Then he came to Washington County, and located on his farm nine miles north of Arlington, which became his permanent home place. To that home he took his wife when he married Anna Peterson, March 6th, 1884, and there all their children were born. These were seven in number, five girls and two boys, and with their sorrowing mother, all survive their beloved father. They are Hilda, Mrs. F. W. Hunt; Clara, Esther. Agnes, Elmer and Ervin, all of Arlington, except Mrs. Hunt, who resides at Grand Island.

Seventeen years ago the family moved to Arlington, since when Mr. Johnson has been one of the best known figures of the town. Ever since he retired from the farm he has suffered from chronic asthma, the attacks often being of a very severe nature; but his will power was very strong, and he came through many a sickness which would have meant the end of even stronger men, his will being the only thing that held him up. During recent winters his sufferings increased, and owing to his advanced years, he did not recuperate so well in the summer time. But he kept going and as long as he could go, he insisted on doing something, and so he worked almost to the very last. His final illness began on Thursday, the 6th inst., and with rallying powers exhausted he gradually sank, until he quietly slept the final sleep of the Christian at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 12th, at the age of 79 years, 8 mos. and 24 days.

Mr. Johnson was a strict Lutheran, having joined the church early in his native land, and he remained a loyal adherent to his chosen denomination to the end. His Bible and Hymnal were continually within reach, and never a day passed without his spending time in devotions with these books for guide.

An indefatigable worker, a man of strong convictions, though always with reserve, a good neighbor, a righteous man, an old fashioned Christian husband and father, he goes to his rest and reward, one whose loss will be sincerely mourned.

The funeral services were held from the home Friday, September 11, Rev. Frank Williams, pastor of the local M.E. church, conducting the same and preaching a special sermon. Rev. G.M. Couffer, an old time pastor of the family, was present and took part in the services. Mr. and Mrs. E.H. Elsner rendered appropriate vocal music and a large number of old friends and neighbors were present to show their regard for one who will be missed for a long time to come. Interment followed in the Arlington Cemetery.

Obituary contributed by the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.