Notes~

Indiana Marriages, 1810-2001 records Ella Hastings, parents Aaron Hastings and Christiana Reece, married William A. Johnson, parents Jesse D. Johnson and Elizabeth Simmons, on 26 September 1883 in Dublin, Wayne County.

1900 U. S. Census for Franklin, Johnson County:

William A. Johnson, 47; Wife, Mary E., 45; Children, Joseph E., 20; Florence M., 18; Mamie, 16; and Anna H. Johnson, 15.

1910 U. S. Census for Franklin, Johnson County:

William A. Johnson, 56; Wife, Mary E., 54; Children, Maude F., 28; Mayme, 26; and Anna L. Johnson, 25.

1920 U. S. Census for Franklin, Johnson County:

William A. Johnson, 67; Wife, Mary, 65; Children, Florence M., 38; and Mayme Johnson, 35.

Indiana State Board of Health Certificate of Death No. 35457 for Franklin, Johnson County records Mary E. Johnson, a 67 years, 6 months, and 3-days old widowed white female, died about 1:15 a.m. on 25 December 1921 at 250 N. Water St., due to a "Cerebral Hemorrhage." She was the daughter of Joseph Cotton, born in Pennsylvania, and Nancy J. Green, born in Indiana. Her daughter Maud Johnson was the informant. Burial was at Greenlawn Cemetery in Franklin, Johnson County on 27 December 1921, A. V. Vandivier and Son of Franklin, in charge.

The Franklin Evening Star, 26 Dec 1921, Mon, pg 1

THE END COMES TO MRS. W. A. JOHNSON

Beautiful Spirited Invalid Was Much Loved by Franklin Friends

Mrs. Mary E. Johnson, widow of the late Judge William A. Johnson, died at her home on North Water street Sunday morning at 1:30. Mrs. Johnson was one of the most beautiful characters Franklin ever has known and she was much loved by her many friends.

A most remarkable condition of invalidism had made Mrs. Johnson one of the beautiful characters in Franklin and her passing will be regretted by people in every activity of life from school children to the aged. Thirteen years ago today, Mrs. Johnson suffered a cerebral hemorrhage affecting the entire right side, rendering her an invalid physically, but she was mentally alert until her last illness six weeks ago, taking an active interest in everything about her, from the minutest details of her home to the important church social and political affairs, in which she showed keen interest.

Born at Connersville----

Mrs. Johnson was born at Connersville, Indiana, in a Methodist parsonage, her parents, the Rev. Joseph and Nancy Cotton being actively identified with the pioneer Methodism of Indiana. Her father was a charter member of the Southeastern, now Indiana conference. In her girlhood she attended Moores Hill College and while a student there met William A. Johnson, also a student and their marriage occurred May 29, 1878, and with the exception of a few years in Edinburg, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson made their home in Franklin. Mr. Johnson's death occurred March 4, 1920.

Four children, Joseph C., Florence Maud, Mayme and Mrs. Anna Laurie Cree, the latter of Pittsburg, Pa., all survive. Mrs. Johnson also leaves a brother, William C. Cotton of Columbus and a sister, Mrs. Anna Tomlinson, of Indianapolis.

Beautiful Devotion ---

The beautiful devotion of the mother and daughters is well known to the community. The sweet-spirited invalid, with the cheerful smile and the uncomplaining, loyal devotion and companionship of the daughters was most unusual. Their ministrations and faithful service made her comfort in invalidism all these years the paramount interest of their lives. In her chair, attended by them she was a familiar sight and she will be missed by many whom she greeted on her almost daily visit to the downtown section.

At an early age she joined the Methodist church at Connersville, and until her health failed, Mrs. Johnson was an active worker in the church and the Home Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal church, at one time she was district secretary of the Seymour district.

The last day she was able to be up, she and her daughters entertained the Home Missionary Society in her home.

…Burial will be in Greenlawn.

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