Desire/Dezire Johnson
1815-October 18, 1896
Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 1896, page 3, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library
Entered into rest on Sunday, October 18, Mrs. Dezire Johnson, widow of the late Alfred W. Johnson, aged 81 years.
Tenderly and reverently her weary body has been laid by the side of this husband of her youth and age, in the beautiful cemetery where repose so many of our loved ones. Together they had lived for many years in the home fashioned by his own hands for his young bride, into which home were builded the bright hopes and dreams of youth, which were fully realized. In this happy home were born to them eight children, to "rise up and call her blessed." No marvel was it that her heart's tendrils were so entwined around that dear home, with its holy and happy associations, that no inducements could prevail upon her to leave it, even though the family circle was broken. In her later years, her memory traveled back to the scenes of youthful days, and she lived more in the past then the present. Tenderly and with devoted care for her pathway to the grave was smoothed by her devoted children. Until age and infirmity prevented her coming, her attendance at her chosen church was very regular, and we sadly "missed her in the accustomed place," when she was too feeble to attend its services.
Mrs. Johnson was the daughter of the late Frederick Howe, of Courtland county N.Y., one of the early settlers on Terre Coupe prairie, She was married in 1837, and nine years ago celebrated her golden wedding. Two years afterward her husband was taken from her side, the first to be called by death from the large and united family. Her children had left the paternal roof, one by one, to enter into positions of trust and hone in the busy world, yet frequently met at the old home, for wich they never lost their true love and reverence.
From the "sweet home" has the wife and mother gone to the "house not made with hands--eternal in the Heavens."
"Rest comes at length, though life be long and dreary.
The day must dawn and derksome night be past;
Faith's journey's end is welcome to the weary.
An Heaven, the heart's true Home, will come at last" LBI
and
Buchanan Record, Thursday, Oct. 22, 1896, page 3, microfilm Buchanan District Library
Mrs. Desire Johnson, widow of the late Alfred W. Johnson, of Niles, died at her home in Niles, Sunday, Oct. 18, aged 81 years. She was a daughter of the Late Frederick Howe, who was one of the early settlers of Terre Coupe prairie, coming there from Courtland county, N.Y. She was married in 1837, and nine years ago celebrated her golden wedding. Her husband died in 1889. Mrs. Johnson leaves a family of eight children, all of whom occupy responsible positions in this busy world. The funeral services were held, Tuesday afternoon, from her late residence in Niles.