Buried in Blair Cemetery.

MRS. JAY D. JOHNS, EARLY PIONEER DIES

WELL KNOWN WOMAN CAME TO COUNTY WITH PARENTS IN 1867

Mrs. Jay D. Johns, who came to Washington county in March, 1867, died at her home on Friday, September 9th, at the age of 71 years, three months and four days.

The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Julius Peak, early residents of the county, Mrs. Johns was born at Hillsdale, Michigan, June 5, 1861 and lived near her birthplace until 1867, when with her parents she started for the west. They crossed the Missouri River on the ice in March of 1867, and settled near Bell Creek, now known as Arlington, where Mr. Peak took a homestead. Mrs. Peak died in 1869, when the little girl was only eight years old.

On June 19, 1881, she was married at Blair to Jay D. Johns, and to the union nine children were born. They are Mrs. Naomi French, Arlington; Samuel J. Johns, Wichita, Kansas; Anson J. Johns, Harrison, Neb.; Mrs. Margaret C. Baxter, Blair; Mrs. Edith May Grabe, Omaha; Arthur H. Johns, Omaha; Perry T. Johns, Carleton, Nebr.; Ralph C. Johns, Blair; and Mrs. Florence E. Loftis, Blair. These children with their father, 35 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, a half-sister, Mrs. Mable Grave; two half-brothers, Roy and Charlie Peak; a step-mother, Mrs. Viola Peak; and a step-sister, Mrs. Bertha Viele, survive her. One sister, Mrs. Nora Bender, Nappa, Oregon, and four grandchildren, preceded her in death.

Mrs. Johns joined the Methodist church in Omaha at the age of 16 and after her marriage, when living at Gandy, Nebr., she united with the Baptist church, her baptism taking place in the Dismal River in 1890. In 1896 she moved her membership to the Blair Baptist church, in which she remained a member until her death.

On June 19, 1931, Mr. and Mrs. Johns celebrated their golden wedding anniversary, with scores of relatives and friends present for the occasion.

Funeral services were held at the Blair Baptist church Sunday afternoon at two o’clock with Rev. Thomas J. Reese conducting the services. Interment was made in the Blair cemetery.

# 2 - Printed in The Enterprise, Sept. 15, 1932

MRS. J.D. JOHNS

Ida C. Peak, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Julius Peak was born at Hillsdale, Michigan, June 5th, 1861. Departed this life September 9th, 1932, at 6:05 a.m., aged 71 years, 3 months and 4 days.

She was united in marriage to Mr. Jay D. Johns at Blair, Nebraska, June 19, 1881. To this union nine children were born: Mrs. Naomi French, Arlington; Samuel J. Johns, Wichita, Kansas; Anson J. Johns, Harrison, Nebr.; Mrs. Margaret C. Baxter, Blair, Nebr.; Mrs. Edith May Grabe, Omaha, Nebr.; Arthur H. Johns, Omaha, Nebr.; Perry T. Johns, Carleton, Nebr.; Ralph C. Johns, Blair, Nebr.; Mrs. Florence E. Loftis, Blair, Nebr. These with their father, thirty-five grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, a half-sister, Mrs. Mable Grabe; two half-brothers, Roy and Charlie :Peak; a step-mother, Mrs. Viola Peak; and a step-sister, Mrs. Bertha Viele survive her. One sister, Mrs. Nora Bender, Nappa, Oregon and four grandchildren having preceded her in death.

When a young child, Mrs. Johns came with her parents from Ohio to Nebraska, crossing the Missouri River on the ice in March of 1867. They settled near Bell Creek, now known as Arlington, Nebr., where Mr. Peak took a homestead. She was left without a mother when only eight years of age.

Mrs. Johns accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her Savior when about sixteen years of age and united with the Methodist church in Omaha. After her marriage and when living at Gandy, Nebr., she united with the Baptist church, her baptism taking place in the Dismal river in 1890. In 1896, she moved her membership to the Blair Baptist church being received by letter, of which church she was a member until her death.

On June 19, 1931, she and Mr. Johns celebrated their Golden wedding anniversary, marking many years of happy wedded life.

To know Mrs. Johns was to love her and it can be truly said that her children and husband have lost a good mother and wife, and the community a splendid woman.

Funeral services were held at the Blair Baptist church on Sunday afternoon at 2:00, conducted by Rev. Thomas J. Reese. Interment was at the Blair cemetery.