Marion Sentinel Thursday May 19, 1904
The death of Robert Johnson (colored) occurred yesterday at the Linn County Home of dropsy and old age. Robert has been a resident of Marion for about forty years and was well known. His funeral will be held this afternoon at Oak Shade cemetery, where he will be buried alongside his wife, who died several years ago.
Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette May 20, 1904
Marion news:
Robert Johnson, whose death occurred Wednesday, was interred beside his wife in Oak Shade yesterday, services being held at the grave. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson came to Marion at the close of the civil war and were well known.
The Marion Sentinel Thursday May 26, 1904
Funeral of Robert Johnson.
The funeral services of Robert Johnson (colored), who died at the Linn County Home, Wednesday of last week, after a long illness, were held in this city at 4 P.M. Friday. Mr. Johnson was one of the old settlers of this county, coming north with the union troops at the close of the war. For a good many years he run a barbershop here, which occupation he had to give up on account of rheumatism. He had many friends in Marion, as was evidenced by the large crowd that assembled to pay their last tribute of respect to his remains.
The funeral services were conducted by Rev. T.M. Evans, of the Methodist church, while a quartet composed of Mrs. V.G. Shumack, Miss Blanch Kerr, J.E. Bromwell and Carl F. Reichert furnished the music. The pall bearers were old time friends of the deceased and consisted of Charles S. Berry of Cedar Rapids, C.E. Mitchell, Percy Griffin, George Vandercook, Al Ketter, Ed. Garretson, B.C. Busby and B.F. Johnson. The remains were buried in Oak Shade cemetery beside those of his wife, who died a few years ago.
The Marion Pilot Thursday May 26, 1904
ROBERT JOHNSON
The sun was shining as gloriously upon the green hillside last Thursday afternoon as it ever did in his native sunny southland, when poor old "Bob" Johnson was gently lowered to his last resting place beside the family that had gone before. No pauper's funeral that! Clothed in habiliments of Prince Albert cut, borne in a coffin of modest elegance, amidst a funeral procession of friends, with music and with prayer, he was buried in a style that would have done his old heart good. When he died there went out the light of life from as unique a character as ever lived. When Maj. Geo. Granger picked him up during the Civil war and kept him for an attendant he knew he had found a character and for forty years he has been identified with the life of Marion.
Robert Johnson was born in Alabama, probably June 24, 1813. Major Geo. Granger found him in 1862 and kept him as cook till 1864 when they came to Marion where "Bob" opened a barber shop. He was one of the three colored men who came about the same time and were the first three negroes of Linn County. Many of our citizens had never seen a colored man till they saw "Bob." He was married in 1867 to Josephine Murphy a colored woman who came north for the family of Major Warner of Waubeek. Always having been in the service of gentlemen, hobnobbing with majors and colonels, Bob possessed an insinuating manner that made the man he was addressing feel his own importance. He knew when to ask for a quarter and when for fifty cents and was equally skillful in discovering when to ask for nothing at all. His hospitality was that of a Southern gentleman and he presided over his own vine and fig tree, a small cottage on South Tenth Street where "Jo" had wonderful flowers and "Bob" a garden. They kept open house for any of their own race and even filled their other piece of property, a cemetery lot, with their unfortunate friends when they died.
Once a year Bob and Jo got up a supper of possum and sweet potatoes for their devoted friends among the four hundred of Marion. A list of names of these guests would include our bravest and best for none but the elite were eligible The possum was a sure enough animal from his friends in the south and sweet potatoes were of Jo's own roasting. And when the funds of the house of Johnson were low, and they only lived in their own home by sufferance of their landlord, when the guest feared the possum was something else, when Jo was no longer alive to cook the feast, and when the stove pipe fell over the table, Bob made his accustomed speech on General Logan and Abraham Lincoln. The guests listened with eagerness till Bob had said "That illustinous patriot Abraham Linkum" when some vile traitor would most vilely ask, "Who was he?" The righteous anger of the old man was electrical and his guests would resolve into a committee of the whole to pass upon the offender. The guilty man was always dismissed amid the imprecations of the assembly--unless he gave an excuse that would satisfy the irate orator. During the discussion of the viands, the loving cup went its rounds and a portion of Uncle Sam's revenue found its way therein, a quarter of a dollar being the popular coin, the railroad superintendents and druggists were usually taxed fifty cents, and the guests who had to send regrets were waited upon next day with the loving cup. Said one man who was assessed for funds to pay the funeral expenses, "Here's my dollar, I had a good many dollars' worth of fun with Bob's help."
When Bob was ninety years and there was nothing left he was at last induced to spend the winter at the County Home. Month after month he had refused to go but finally B.C. Busby prevailed upon him to go promising to see him often and to go out when sent for. He became very ill with dropsy and was helpless but was looking forward to the day he could return to town and make his garden and see his old friends. A few days before he died he sent for Mr. Busby and, as often before, made him promise that if death came to him he would not be sent off to Iowa City to be cup up by the doctors like some poor old dog. And when the end came Mr. Busby went to the County Home and brought him back, all that remained of the poor negro who had helped two generations of boys to laugh and forget the cares of this world. They gave him a dignified funeral. A quartette consisting of Mrs. V.G. Shumack, Miss Blanche Kerr, Messrs. J.E. Bromwell and Carl Reichert sang some hymns and Rev. Evans read the burial service. The pall bearers were G.H. Vandercook, B.C. Busby, Charles Berry, Bert Johnson, E. Garretson, A. Kidder, Percy Griffin and C.E. Mitchell.
The deceased leaves a sister in Kingfisher, Okla., and an adopted boy, Eddie Garfield of Cedar Rapids.
The death of Robert Johnson (colored) occurred yesterday at the Linn County Home of dropsy and old age. Robert has been a resident of Marion for about forty years and was well known. His funeral will be held this afternoon at Oak Shade cemetery, where he will be buried alongside his wife, who died several years ago.
Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette May 20, 1904
Marion news:
Robert Johnson, whose death occurred Wednesday, was interred beside his wife in Oak Shade yesterday, services being held at the grave. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson came to Marion at the close of the civil war and were well known.
The Marion Sentinel Thursday May 26, 1904
Funeral of Robert Johnson.
The funeral services of Robert Johnson (colored), who died at the Linn County Home, Wednesday of last week, after a long illness, were held in this city at 4 P.M. Friday. Mr. Johnson was one of the old settlers of this county, coming north with the union troops at the close of the war. For a good many years he run a barbershop here, which occupation he had to give up on account of rheumatism. He had many friends in Marion, as was evidenced by the large crowd that assembled to pay their last tribute of respect to his remains.
The funeral services were conducted by Rev. T.M. Evans, of the Methodist church, while a quartet composed of Mrs. V.G. Shumack, Miss Blanch Kerr, J.E. Bromwell and Carl F. Reichert furnished the music. The pall bearers were old time friends of the deceased and consisted of Charles S. Berry of Cedar Rapids, C.E. Mitchell, Percy Griffin, George Vandercook, Al Ketter, Ed. Garretson, B.C. Busby and B.F. Johnson. The remains were buried in Oak Shade cemetery beside those of his wife, who died a few years ago.
The Marion Pilot Thursday May 26, 1904
ROBERT JOHNSON
The sun was shining as gloriously upon the green hillside last Thursday afternoon as it ever did in his native sunny southland, when poor old "Bob" Johnson was gently lowered to his last resting place beside the family that had gone before. No pauper's funeral that! Clothed in habiliments of Prince Albert cut, borne in a coffin of modest elegance, amidst a funeral procession of friends, with music and with prayer, he was buried in a style that would have done his old heart good. When he died there went out the light of life from as unique a character as ever lived. When Maj. Geo. Granger picked him up during the Civil war and kept him for an attendant he knew he had found a character and for forty years he has been identified with the life of Marion.
Robert Johnson was born in Alabama, probably June 24, 1813. Major Geo. Granger found him in 1862 and kept him as cook till 1864 when they came to Marion where "Bob" opened a barber shop. He was one of the three colored men who came about the same time and were the first three negroes of Linn County. Many of our citizens had never seen a colored man till they saw "Bob." He was married in 1867 to Josephine Murphy a colored woman who came north for the family of Major Warner of Waubeek. Always having been in the service of gentlemen, hobnobbing with majors and colonels, Bob possessed an insinuating manner that made the man he was addressing feel his own importance. He knew when to ask for a quarter and when for fifty cents and was equally skillful in discovering when to ask for nothing at all. His hospitality was that of a Southern gentleman and he presided over his own vine and fig tree, a small cottage on South Tenth Street where "Jo" had wonderful flowers and "Bob" a garden. They kept open house for any of their own race and even filled their other piece of property, a cemetery lot, with their unfortunate friends when they died.
Once a year Bob and Jo got up a supper of possum and sweet potatoes for their devoted friends among the four hundred of Marion. A list of names of these guests would include our bravest and best for none but the elite were eligible The possum was a sure enough animal from his friends in the south and sweet potatoes were of Jo's own roasting. And when the funds of the house of Johnson were low, and they only lived in their own home by sufferance of their landlord, when the guest feared the possum was something else, when Jo was no longer alive to cook the feast, and when the stove pipe fell over the table, Bob made his accustomed speech on General Logan and Abraham Lincoln. The guests listened with eagerness till Bob had said "That illustinous patriot Abraham Linkum" when some vile traitor would most vilely ask, "Who was he?" The righteous anger of the old man was electrical and his guests would resolve into a committee of the whole to pass upon the offender. The guilty man was always dismissed amid the imprecations of the assembly--unless he gave an excuse that would satisfy the irate orator. During the discussion of the viands, the loving cup went its rounds and a portion of Uncle Sam's revenue found its way therein, a quarter of a dollar being the popular coin, the railroad superintendents and druggists were usually taxed fifty cents, and the guests who had to send regrets were waited upon next day with the loving cup. Said one man who was assessed for funds to pay the funeral expenses, "Here's my dollar, I had a good many dollars' worth of fun with Bob's help."
When Bob was ninety years and there was nothing left he was at last induced to spend the winter at the County Home. Month after month he had refused to go but finally B.C. Busby prevailed upon him to go promising to see him often and to go out when sent for. He became very ill with dropsy and was helpless but was looking forward to the day he could return to town and make his garden and see his old friends. A few days before he died he sent for Mr. Busby and, as often before, made him promise that if death came to him he would not be sent off to Iowa City to be cup up by the doctors like some poor old dog. And when the end came Mr. Busby went to the County Home and brought him back, all that remained of the poor negro who had helped two generations of boys to laugh and forget the cares of this world. They gave him a dignified funeral. A quartette consisting of Mrs. V.G. Shumack, Miss Blanche Kerr, Messrs. J.E. Bromwell and Carl Reichert sang some hymns and Rev. Evans read the burial service. The pall bearers were G.H. Vandercook, B.C. Busby, Charles Berry, Bert Johnson, E. Garretson, A. Kidder, Percy Griffin and C.E. Mitchell.
The deceased leaves a sister in Kingfisher, Okla., and an adopted boy, Eddie Garfield of Cedar Rapids.
Marion Sentinel Thursday May 19, 1904
The death of Robert Johnson (colored) occurred yesterday at the Linn County Home of dropsy and old age. Robert has been a resident of Marion for about forty years and was well known. His funeral will be held this afternoon at Oak Shade cemetery, where he will be buried alongside his wife, who died several years ago.
Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette May 20, 1904
Marion news:
Robert Johnson, whose death occurred Wednesday, was interred beside his wife in Oak Shade yesterday, services being held at the grave. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson came to Marion at the close of the civil war and were well known.
The Marion Sentinel Thursday May 26, 1904
Funeral of Robert Johnson.
The funeral services of Robert Johnson (colored), who died at the Linn County Home, Wednesday of last week, after a long illness, were held in this city at 4 P.M. Friday. Mr. Johnson was one of the old settlers of this county, coming north with the union troops at the close of the war. For a good many years he run a barbershop here, which occupation he had to give up on account of rheumatism. He had many friends in Marion, as was evidenced by the large crowd that assembled to pay their last tribute of respect to his remains.
The funeral services were conducted by Rev. T.M. Evans, of the Methodist church, while a quartet composed of Mrs. V.G. Shumack, Miss Blanch Kerr, J.E. Bromwell and Carl F. Reichert furnished the music. The pall bearers were old time friends of the deceased and consisted of Charles S. Berry of Cedar Rapids, C.E. Mitchell, Percy Griffin, George Vandercook, Al Ketter, Ed. Garretson, B.C. Busby and B.F. Johnson. The remains were buried in Oak Shade cemetery beside those of his wife, who died a few years ago.
The Marion Pilot Thursday May 26, 1904
ROBERT JOHNSON
The sun was shining as gloriously upon the green hillside last Thursday afternoon as it ever did in his native sunny southland, when poor old "Bob" Johnson was gently lowered to his last resting place beside the family that had gone before. No pauper's funeral that! Clothed in habiliments of Prince Albert cut, borne in a coffin of modest elegance, amidst a funeral procession of friends, with music and with prayer, he was buried in a style that would have done his old heart good. When he died there went out the light of life from as unique a character as ever lived. When Maj. Geo. Granger picked him up during the Civil war and kept him for an attendant he knew he had found a character and for forty years he has been identified with the life of Marion.
Robert Johnson was born in Alabama, probably June 24, 1813. Major Geo. Granger found him in 1862 and kept him as cook till 1864 when they came to Marion where "Bob" opened a barber shop. He was one of the three colored men who came about the same time and were the first three negroes of Linn County. Many of our citizens had never seen a colored man till they saw "Bob." He was married in 1867 to Josephine Murphy a colored woman who came north for the family of Major Warner of Waubeek. Always having been in the service of gentlemen, hobnobbing with majors and colonels, Bob possessed an insinuating manner that made the man he was addressing feel his own importance. He knew when to ask for a quarter and when for fifty cents and was equally skillful in discovering when to ask for nothing at all. His hospitality was that of a Southern gentleman and he presided over his own vine and fig tree, a small cottage on South Tenth Street where "Jo" had wonderful flowers and "Bob" a garden. They kept open house for any of their own race and even filled their other piece of property, a cemetery lot, with their unfortunate friends when they died.
Once a year Bob and Jo got up a supper of possum and sweet potatoes for their devoted friends among the four hundred of Marion. A list of names of these guests would include our bravest and best for none but the elite were eligible The possum was a sure enough animal from his friends in the south and sweet potatoes were of Jo's own roasting. And when the funds of the house of Johnson were low, and they only lived in their own home by sufferance of their landlord, when the guest feared the possum was something else, when Jo was no longer alive to cook the feast, and when the stove pipe fell over the table, Bob made his accustomed speech on General Logan and Abraham Lincoln. The guests listened with eagerness till Bob had said "That illustinous patriot Abraham Linkum" when some vile traitor would most vilely ask, "Who was he?" The righteous anger of the old man was electrical and his guests would resolve into a committee of the whole to pass upon the offender. The guilty man was always dismissed amid the imprecations of the assembly--unless he gave an excuse that would satisfy the irate orator. During the discussion of the viands, the loving cup went its rounds and a portion of Uncle Sam's revenue found its way therein, a quarter of a dollar being the popular coin, the railroad superintendents and druggists were usually taxed fifty cents, and the guests who had to send regrets were waited upon next day with the loving cup. Said one man who was assessed for funds to pay the funeral expenses, "Here's my dollar, I had a good many dollars' worth of fun with Bob's help."
When Bob was ninety years and there was nothing left he was at last induced to spend the winter at the County Home. Month after month he had refused to go but finally B.C. Busby prevailed upon him to go promising to see him often and to go out when sent for. He became very ill with dropsy and was helpless but was looking forward to the day he could return to town and make his garden and see his old friends. A few days before he died he sent for Mr. Busby and, as often before, made him promise that if death came to him he would not be sent off to Iowa City to be cup up by the doctors like some poor old dog. And when the end came Mr. Busby went to the County Home and brought him back, all that remained of the poor negro who had helped two generations of boys to laugh and forget the cares of this world. They gave him a dignified funeral. A quartette consisting of Mrs. V.G. Shumack, Miss Blanche Kerr, Messrs. J.E. Bromwell and Carl Reichert sang some hymns and Rev. Evans read the burial service. The pall bearers were G.H. Vandercook, B.C. Busby, Charles Berry, Bert Johnson, E. Garretson, A. Kidder, Percy Griffin and C.E. Mitchell.
The deceased leaves a sister in Kingfisher, Okla., and an adopted boy, Eddie Garfield of Cedar Rapids.
The death of Robert Johnson (colored) occurred yesterday at the Linn County Home of dropsy and old age. Robert has been a resident of Marion for about forty years and was well known. His funeral will be held this afternoon at Oak Shade cemetery, where he will be buried alongside his wife, who died several years ago.
Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette May 20, 1904
Marion news:
Robert Johnson, whose death occurred Wednesday, was interred beside his wife in Oak Shade yesterday, services being held at the grave. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson came to Marion at the close of the civil war and were well known.
The Marion Sentinel Thursday May 26, 1904
Funeral of Robert Johnson.
The funeral services of Robert Johnson (colored), who died at the Linn County Home, Wednesday of last week, after a long illness, were held in this city at 4 P.M. Friday. Mr. Johnson was one of the old settlers of this county, coming north with the union troops at the close of the war. For a good many years he run a barbershop here, which occupation he had to give up on account of rheumatism. He had many friends in Marion, as was evidenced by the large crowd that assembled to pay their last tribute of respect to his remains.
The funeral services were conducted by Rev. T.M. Evans, of the Methodist church, while a quartet composed of Mrs. V.G. Shumack, Miss Blanch Kerr, J.E. Bromwell and Carl F. Reichert furnished the music. The pall bearers were old time friends of the deceased and consisted of Charles S. Berry of Cedar Rapids, C.E. Mitchell, Percy Griffin, George Vandercook, Al Ketter, Ed. Garretson, B.C. Busby and B.F. Johnson. The remains were buried in Oak Shade cemetery beside those of his wife, who died a few years ago.
The Marion Pilot Thursday May 26, 1904
ROBERT JOHNSON
The sun was shining as gloriously upon the green hillside last Thursday afternoon as it ever did in his native sunny southland, when poor old "Bob" Johnson was gently lowered to his last resting place beside the family that had gone before. No pauper's funeral that! Clothed in habiliments of Prince Albert cut, borne in a coffin of modest elegance, amidst a funeral procession of friends, with music and with prayer, he was buried in a style that would have done his old heart good. When he died there went out the light of life from as unique a character as ever lived. When Maj. Geo. Granger picked him up during the Civil war and kept him for an attendant he knew he had found a character and for forty years he has been identified with the life of Marion.
Robert Johnson was born in Alabama, probably June 24, 1813. Major Geo. Granger found him in 1862 and kept him as cook till 1864 when they came to Marion where "Bob" opened a barber shop. He was one of the three colored men who came about the same time and were the first three negroes of Linn County. Many of our citizens had never seen a colored man till they saw "Bob." He was married in 1867 to Josephine Murphy a colored woman who came north for the family of Major Warner of Waubeek. Always having been in the service of gentlemen, hobnobbing with majors and colonels, Bob possessed an insinuating manner that made the man he was addressing feel his own importance. He knew when to ask for a quarter and when for fifty cents and was equally skillful in discovering when to ask for nothing at all. His hospitality was that of a Southern gentleman and he presided over his own vine and fig tree, a small cottage on South Tenth Street where "Jo" had wonderful flowers and "Bob" a garden. They kept open house for any of their own race and even filled their other piece of property, a cemetery lot, with their unfortunate friends when they died.
Once a year Bob and Jo got up a supper of possum and sweet potatoes for their devoted friends among the four hundred of Marion. A list of names of these guests would include our bravest and best for none but the elite were eligible The possum was a sure enough animal from his friends in the south and sweet potatoes were of Jo's own roasting. And when the funds of the house of Johnson were low, and they only lived in their own home by sufferance of their landlord, when the guest feared the possum was something else, when Jo was no longer alive to cook the feast, and when the stove pipe fell over the table, Bob made his accustomed speech on General Logan and Abraham Lincoln. The guests listened with eagerness till Bob had said "That illustinous patriot Abraham Linkum" when some vile traitor would most vilely ask, "Who was he?" The righteous anger of the old man was electrical and his guests would resolve into a committee of the whole to pass upon the offender. The guilty man was always dismissed amid the imprecations of the assembly--unless he gave an excuse that would satisfy the irate orator. During the discussion of the viands, the loving cup went its rounds and a portion of Uncle Sam's revenue found its way therein, a quarter of a dollar being the popular coin, the railroad superintendents and druggists were usually taxed fifty cents, and the guests who had to send regrets were waited upon next day with the loving cup. Said one man who was assessed for funds to pay the funeral expenses, "Here's my dollar, I had a good many dollars' worth of fun with Bob's help."
When Bob was ninety years and there was nothing left he was at last induced to spend the winter at the County Home. Month after month he had refused to go but finally B.C. Busby prevailed upon him to go promising to see him often and to go out when sent for. He became very ill with dropsy and was helpless but was looking forward to the day he could return to town and make his garden and see his old friends. A few days before he died he sent for Mr. Busby and, as often before, made him promise that if death came to him he would not be sent off to Iowa City to be cup up by the doctors like some poor old dog. And when the end came Mr. Busby went to the County Home and brought him back, all that remained of the poor negro who had helped two generations of boys to laugh and forget the cares of this world. They gave him a dignified funeral. A quartette consisting of Mrs. V.G. Shumack, Miss Blanche Kerr, Messrs. J.E. Bromwell and Carl Reichert sang some hymns and Rev. Evans read the burial service. The pall bearers were G.H. Vandercook, B.C. Busby, Charles Berry, Bert Johnson, E. Garretson, A. Kidder, Percy Griffin and C.E. Mitchell.
The deceased leaves a sister in Kingfisher, Okla., and an adopted boy, Eddie Garfield of Cedar Rapids.
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no headstone or marker; photo is of lot
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