Freeborn County, MN Obituaries

Dills, Maria Died In Bancroft, on the 7th inst., after a ten weeks' illness, Mrs. Maria, wife of Charles Dills, aged fifty years and two months. Interment at the Albert Lea cemetery on Tuesday. Mrs. Dills has resided in this county about 17 years. [Freeborn County Standard, Albert Lea Minnesota June 11, 1874.] Submitted by S. Williams Gay, Louisa Morgan MRS. GEO. GAY, OLD RESIDENT DIES AT GENEVA Pioneer of County Passed Away Sunday and Funeral Was Held Following Day. Once again we are obliged to chronicle the passing of one of the pioneer members of Freeborn County. Mrs. George Gay was called to the heavenly home Sunday at 1:45 o’clock. After an illness of only a few days, Mrs. Gay had been an invalid for the past several months due to a fall that severely injured her hip and back. Of late she had been gaining very promisingly and was able to be around the house. Last week Wednesday evening she was stricken with acute pneumonia and all medical help was unavailing. Mrs. Gay was of cheerful disposition possessing a kindly sunny nature. Aside from her family relatives she has left a large circle of friends, who will regret her passing and miss her kindly presence in her home. The funeral was held in the M.. B. Church Monday afternoon at 2 o’clock, following a short service at the house at 1:30, Rev. W. H. Irwin officiating, The church was prettily decorated with drapes bunting and flowers. Three beautiful selections were finely rendered by the choir. A large contribution of flowers in many appropriate designs gave out their fragrance during the last sad rites and helped largely in making the service a beautiful and impressive one. Louisa Morgan was born Dec. 22, 1849 at Winterburne Gloucestershire England. She was baptized Jan. 27, 1850. She was united in marriage to George Gay March 24, 1873. Mrs. and Mrs. Gay came to America and settled in Chicago, where they lived until January of 1875, when they moved to Minnesota and settled on a farm. Their family consisted of three children, one son, H. G. Gay of Escondido, Calif., two daughters, Mrs. Chas. Farr of Geneva township and Miss Ada Gay living at home. In 1900 the family moved into the village where they built a new home and have since resided. Mrs. Gay was a faithful wife and mother. Her best interests were in her home. She was beloved by all who knew her. She has been cared for during her declining years by her daughter Miss Ada, and during the past several months during her invalidism Mr. and Mrs. Chas Farr have helped her with the care of their aged parents and she enjoyed the best of care and attention that loving hands could give. Aside from the immediate family one granddaughter, Mrs. Eva Gay Axe and one great grandson of Escondido, Calif., and also one sister, Mrs. Y. Conyers of St. Paul survives. The relatives were all present at the obsequies, with the exception of H. G. Gay and family who were unable to come. Friends from a distance were Mrs. E. J. Huggins of Albert Lea, L. O. Holmes of Owatonna, Mrs. E. O. Jones and Mrs. Miller of Ellendale. [The Evening Tribune, Albert Lea, Minnesota | Thursday, February 25, 1932 | Page 7] Contributed by Rita Bergendahl Hall, Mrs. J.F. Death of Mrs. J.F. Hall Mrs. J.F. Hall, of Manchester, departed this life on Sunday last, after a brief but painful illness of only four or five days. Mrs. Hall came to this county with her husband at quite an early period in its settlement, and being an active member of society became well and favorably known, as could be attested by the large delegations, not only from her own town, but from Alden, Carlston, Pickerel Lake, and Albert Lea, who attended her funeral. She had long been a consistent member of the Freewill Baptist Church, and her loss will be severely felt, not only by her husband and children, but by the Christian circle in which she moved. The funeral was conducted at the house on Tuesday, at 10 a.m., by Rev. Mr. Drew of this place, after which her remains were taken to the Albert Lea cemetery for interment. Mr. Hall feels his loss sadly, and in this he has the heartfelt sympathy of their many friends. We did not learn her age, but judge that she was not past middle life. She leaves behind three children. A babe deceased a year or two since and temporarily buried in their own yard, was taken up and deposited by the side of its mother in the same grave. [Freeborn County Standard, Albert Lea, Minnesota June 25, 1874] Submitted by S. Williams Johnson, Joseph Henry Joseph Henry Johnson was born in Tylersville in the central part of Pennsylvania, April 13, 1870, being 61 years old at the time of his death. His parents were the late Jacob E. and Isabella J. Johnson. When he was quite young the family moved to Easton Pa., which is situated at the junction of the Delaware and Lehigh rivers. The family homes have ever since been at the place, and it was here that he joined the Methodist Episcopal church. His father was for years a well known passenger conductor with the Lehigh Valley RR and three other members of the family have held high official positions with at road. For a while after completing his schooling at Easton, he was salesman for a grocery firm during which time his route was through the Pocono mountain district in eastern Pennsylvania. Following this, he was for some time, buyer for the Supply Department of a railroad construction company, then building that part of the Lehigh Valley railroad which runs through the Pocono mountains. Later, he held a similar position with a company putting in a railroad line near Abingdon, Va. Mr. Johnson’s love for horses was developed very early. Fine horses were much sought after at that time and several men with whom the family were acquainted, took great pride in owing these. One of these gentlemen, seeing the interest which the boy took in horses and the good sense and love he had for them, hired him to exercise his horses daily in the paddock. This was a delightful experience for the young boy and one which he always treasured. Upon his marriage in1897 to Emily B.. Strait of Sprat, New Jersey – they settled in Newton, N. J. and several years were spent there, while he traveled for the firm of Strait Bros. Wholesale Grocers; the members of this firm being the four brothers of Mrs. Johnson. It was at Newton that Marion, now Mrs. E. W. Hellie, was born. In 1903 a move was made to Phillipsburg just across the river from Easton and here Mr. Johnson purchased a laundry. He owned and operated this business for about 9 years, being then compelled to dispose of the property due to a federal order having been issued for a postoffice to be erected on that site. Here Kelsey R. was born. It was in 1912 that the family moved to Albert Lea and at this time transferred their membership from the Easton church to the First Presbyterian of this place. He had been engaged as manager of the Thompson Laundry and soon after he became financially interested in the business. Subsequently, the business expanded; the name was changed to Johnson Laundry and a corporation was formed with laundries at Austin, Mankato, Albert Lea and Spencer, Iowa. On April 8, 1916, he suffered the loss of his wife. He remained in Albert Lea and continued in the laundry business. On October 30, 1920, he was united in marriage With Mrs. Anna H. Armstrong. Six weeks ago he suffered a terrible accident due to monoxide poisoning. It was evident almost from the first that his nervous system had been severely shattered, and the disturbances due to this condition increased during the weeks which followed. On February 9 news was received of the death of his mother at Easton, Pa. The accident and its attendant nervous disorders of such extreme severity, with the addition of the loss of his mother at this time, overpowered him and he died Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 17th. There remain of his family, his wife, his daughter Mrs. E. W. Hellie and her children, Manderville R., Emmy Lou and Joan; his son Kelsey R. all of Albert Lea; Captain C. H. Armstrong now of the Philippine Islands; and Mrs. L. D. Flory of Fort Monroe, Va. The later tow being the children of Mrs. Johnson; his brother Harry K. Johnson and sisters Mrs. W. Semple and Miss Kate I. Johnson all of Easton, Pa. The following is an excerpt by a brother Knight Templar and read at the final services: Sir Knight Johnson was raised a Master Mason in Harmony Lodge No. 8 in New Jersey. All the York Rite degrees were conferred upon him in Albert Lea. He became a Royal Arch Mason on June 20, 1912 and was Knighted in the order of the temple on Feb. 19, 1913. Later he became a member of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine at Zuhrah Temple in Minneapolis. For 20 years Sir Knight Johnson has been engaged in business in Albert Lea and during the later years extended his business interests in adjoining cities and Northern Iowa. In his business he had no superior. No one has ever attacked or questioned his integrity and honesty and his work was always present between him and all his employees.. He had a very warm love for horses and dogs and was never with the companionship of either. Albert Lea has lost another valued, loyal and highly esteemed citizen. [The Evening Tribune, Albert Lea, Minnesota | Thursday, February 25, 1932 | Page 7] Contributed by Rita Bergendahl Krebs, Mrs. W.S. Mrs. W.S. Krebs, daughter of Mr. T. Scattergood, county auditor of Freeborn county, Minnesota, died at her home in Albert Lea, Minn., on the 16th inst. The remains were taken to Austin for interment. [Freeborn County Standard, Albert Lea Minnesota February 20, 1884] Submitted by S. Williams Lemke, Christopher Christopher Lemke of Mansfield township died Wednesday evening, July 7, 1915. He was born on April 3, 1852 in Mecklenburg Schwerin Germany. When he was 12 years old he emigrated to America with his parents and brothers and sisters in Naperville, Ill, where they resided for some time. Later on they moved to Wheaton, Ill., where Christopher was confirmed in the German Lutheran church. In 1872 he was united in marriage with Henrietta Lindeman. This union was blessed with 11 children, four of them passed away before the father. In 1876 he moved with his family and parents to Mansfield, Minn. And bought a farm on which he was still residing when he passed away. He was a strong and healthy man until the year of 1891 when he suffered a severe attack of erysipelas which came back a number of times and at last could not be cured, so it affected his mind so that he had to be taken to the insane asylum at Rochester, Minn. 8 years ago but was discharged 2 years again being harmless but not cured. From that time on he was unable to speak any more. A week before his death he had a paralytic stroke and pneumonia set in which caused his death. He reached the age of 65 years 5 months and 4 days. He leaves to mourn his loss a kind and loving wife, 6 daughters which are all married except Miss Matilda and one son August, a number of grand children, also 1 brother and 3 sisters. Funeral services were held at 12 o’clock at the house on Friday and one o’clock at the German Lutheran church. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to the wife, children and relatives in their time of sorrow. [The Evening Tribune, Albert Lea, Minnesota | Wednesday, July 14, 1915 | Page 6] Contributed by Rita Bergendahl Noble, Arthur Died-Noble-In this city, July 30, 1883, of scarlet fever, Arthur son of Alex and Carrie Noble, aged three years. [Freeborn County Standard, Albert Lea Minnesota August 2, 1883] Submitted by. S. Williams Orrie, Ole Died-Ovrie-In the town of Bath, Sunday, July 29, Ole J. Orrie, aged 21 years. [Freeborn County Standard, Albert Lea Minnesota August 2, 1883] Submitted by. S. Williams Williams, Mary Alice Died-Williams-In Albert Lea, Tuesday morning July 31st, Mary Alice, daughter of Rev. and Mrs. O. Williams, aged 1 year and 10 days. The funeral occurred Tuesday afternoon and the remains were taken to Bine Earth City for interment. [Freeborn County Standard, Albert Lea Minnesota August 2, 1883] Submitted by. S. Williams

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