Axel Johnson, Obituary/Death NoticePorter County obituaries and death notices . . . .
Axel Johnson
Axel Johnson died Sunday night last, at the residence of his friend, Mr. Frank Bergstrom. Some time ago he was taken sick while in Valparaiso, but for three weeks he refused to give up. Finally he grew so sick that he was obliged to do something, so he came to Chesterton to doctor up. But when he began to doctor, it was too late. He had been suffering with thyphoid fever for three weeks. On reaching Chesterton he took to his bed, and two weeks afterward was dead. The case is a peculiar illustration of what determination and will power sometimes does. Axel Johnson came to this country a few years ago from Sweden, an ignorant, penniless boy, with a weak constitution, and without a relative except his brother, a young man who was also starting in life. Axel's whole ambition was to get an education. He commenced as a day laborer, and earned enough money to enable him to go to school a short time. He kept on in this way until finally he got a teacher's certificate, and began to teach school. He taught school for some time, and with the money earned, went to the Valparaiso Normal. The past year his friend Mr. F. Burstrom, lent him some money to carry on his studies, and he worked at the boarding house for his board. He was obliged to wait on the table, carry coal, and do other chores around the boarding house, which took up all of the time during the day, and he studied nearly all night. So hard did he work that he kept up, and was ahead of his class, and would have graduated in six more weeks. Even after being taken sick, he worked on, and even when obliged to give up the work at the boarding house, kept on studying and kept up with the class. Overwork killed him. Prof. Brown, while attending the funeral of John Williams, called on him. He said Axel was all backbone, and expressed great regret at his breaking down. Axel had a great many warm friends in our community, and his death is greatly regretted. The funeral took place Tuesday from the Swedish Lutheran church of which he was a devout member, and was largely attended. Had he lived, Axel Johnson would have risen to eminence, for he was made of the stuff that make great men.
Newspaper: The Tribune
Date of Publication: December 20, 1888
Volume Number: 5
Issue Number: 36
Page: 1
Column(s): 7
Key to Newspaper Publication Locations:
Newspapers Published in Chesterton, Porter County, Indiana
Chesterton Tribune
The Tribune
Westchester Tribune
Newspapers Published in Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana
Porter County Vidette
Practical Observer
Valparaiso Practical Observer
Vidette and Republic
Western Ranger
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Obituary/death notice transcribed by Steven R. Shook