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Sarah Caroline Johnson Christy

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Birth	:	7 Jun 1835 Indiana, USA
Death	:	19 May 1933 Iowa, USA
Burial	:	Bonaparte Cemetery, Bonaparte, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate	:	40.7010002, -91.8079987
Description	:	MRS. SARAH CHRISTY DIED AT HER HOME, BONAPARTE, FRIDAY Mrs. Christy Had Reached The Age of Nearly Ninety-eight Resided at Bonaparte Since 1837 Sarah Caroline Johnson, daughter of William and Nancy Crain Johnson was born June 7, 1835, at Covington, Fountain County Indiana. The following year the Johnson family came west, stopping at Monmouth, Ill. where the mother and younger children spent the winter, while Mr. Johnson and the older sons came on to Bonaparte and made arrangements for a home. In the spring of 1837 they went back to Illinois after the family and brought them to Bonaparte, locating on a farm south... Read More	MRS. SARAH CHRISTY DIED AT HER HOME, BONAPARTE, FRIDAY Mrs. Christy Had Reached The Age of Nearly Ninety-eight Resided at Bonaparte Since 1837 Sarah Caroline Johnson, daughter of William and Nancy Crain Johnson was born June 7, 1835, at Covington, Fountain County Indiana. The following year the Johnson family came west, stopping at Monmouth, Ill. where the mother and younger children spent the winter, while Mr. Johnson and the older sons came on to Bonaparte and made arrangements for a home. In the spring of 1837 they went back to Illinois after the family and brought them to Bonaparte, locating on a farm south of town. On the trail across the prairie from Fort Madison there was only one cabin, and that at West Point. It was indeed only people of pioneer forttude [sic] who would veature [sic] a journey like that into a new land, with the determination to stay and make for themselves a home. Sarah was two years old when she came to this locality which has since been her home. The span of her residence here covering as it does nearly a century, parallels the history of Iowa and the middle west from the beginnings of the early settlements. At Bonaparte the famous dam and woolen mills were still things of the future. There was not even a saw mill here. No bridge across the river, no railroad through the town. Only a few houses along the river. Blackhawk and his band had a village at Iowaville. Van Buren County was a part of Des Moines County and was included in the territory of Wisconsin. A year later it was made a part of Iowa territory. Martin Van Buren was president of the United States. The Johnson family located on a farm south of town where Sarah grew to young womanhood; and July 24, 1853, she was united in marriage to Mr. Thomas Christy. Mr. Christy was also of a pioneer family, he having come with his parents from Ohio to Bonaparte in 1842. He was a stone mason by trade, and had charge of the building of the bridge across the river at Bonaparte. In 1850 he had gone to California on the quest of gold, and had evidently secured his share, for when he came back to Bonaparte he bought the most substantial residence in town, a veritable palace in those days; and which is now one of the most enduring houses of the community. It was build by Dr. Rufus Wyman and he and his wife, Susan Wyman, signed a bill of sale for the property May 24, 1853. On June 7th of that year, Sarah was eighteen years of age. On July 24th, she and Thomas Christy were married, and came to live in the house that he had ready for his bride. That was eighty years ago this summer and all these eighty years it has been her home. In August of 1853, Mr. Christy was elected to the office of Sheriff of Van Buren county, and although he and his wife spent some time during the following two years in Keosauqua, the house in Bonaparte was his home. Mr. Christy was also a merchant and banker, being the founder of the Farmers' and Traders' State Bank of Bonaparte. He died July 11, 1887. Mr. and Mrs. Christy were the parents of nine children, eight daughters and one son. Four daughters died in early infancy; and the oldest daughter, Gertrude Christy Meek, died in 1855 [1885]. Those living are Mrs. Hattie E. Bell, Miss J. June Christy and Harley T. Christy of Bonaparte; and Mrs. Dora E. Ketcham of Ottumwa. There are also eleven grand children and four great-grandchildren. As a girl Mrs. Christy was noted for her grace and beauty which even the long years did not efface. She carried herself erect with no suggestion of stooping which old age generally brings and her mind was alert and keen of understanding to her last conscious moment. She was interested in affairs of state as well as things that went on about her. A Democrat through all the years, of the true, unswerving type, she rejoiced over the success of the party in the last general election, cast her ballot Nov. 8ty for the present administration, and has watched national events since with the greatest of interest. Her home and family came first, always, but she had time for her neighbors and others who needed her. A real mother in Israel as the name implies. She was a charter member of the first organization of Easter Star in Bonaparte; and she was a member of the Bonaparte Presbyterian church. In February of this year Mrs. Christy suffered a serious illness from which she did not fully recover, and has been confine to her bed most of the time since. She was gaining, however, and was hopeful of being able to enjoy the out of doors as soon as summer came. About 2 o'clock Friday afternoon, May 19, she was taken suddenly worse, and the end came about six o'clock. Had she been spare3d to live this life nineteen days longer, she would have attained the age of ninety-eight years. Year that were filled with helpfulness and devotion: A priceless heritage to her posterity. ---------- Source Unknown:

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Sarah Caroline Johnson Christy's memorial?
Sarah Caroline Johnson Christy's memorial is located at: Bonaparte Cemetery, Bonaparte, Van Buren County, USA.
When did Sarah Caroline Johnson Christy death?
Sarah Caroline Johnson Christy death on 19 May 1933 in Iowa, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Sarah Caroline Johnson Christy's memorial?
Latitude: 40.7010002
Longitude: -91.8079987

Family Members:

Parent

William James Johnson

(1789 - 1845)

Nancy Crain Johnson

(1799 - 1881)

Spouse

Thomas S. Christy

(1829 - 1887)

Siblings

William James Johnson

(1821 - 1909)

Mary Eliza Johnson George

(1824 - 1886)

Indiann McCord Johnson

(1830 - 1848)

Joseph Alexander Johnson

(1832 - 1886)

Harriet Agnes “Hattie” Johnson Whiteley

(1839 - 1888)

Children

Gertrude E. Christy Meek

(1854 - 1885)

(1857 - 1859)

(1862 - 1862)

(1863 - 1865)

(1866 - 1869)

(1868 - 1960)

(1873 - 1961)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Bonaparte Cemetery
Bonaparte, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7010002, -91.8079987

2. New Lexington Cemetery
Bonaparte, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7028100, -91.8168300

3. Chapman Cemetery
Bonaparte, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7130000, -91.7730000

4. Cave Family Burying Ground
Farmington, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6821000, -91.7704000

5. Bradford Cemetery
Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6955986, -91.8531036

6. Reeds Creek Cemetery
Bonaparte, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6916994, -91.7584989

7. Neumann Cemetery
Bonaparte, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6610985, -91.7994003

8. Snyder Cemetery
Bonaparte, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7032400, -91.7518100

9. Bentonsport Cemetery
Bentonsport, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7322006, -91.8514023

10. Vernon Cemetery
Vernon, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7235000, -91.8600000

11. Robb Cemetery
Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6972008, -91.8681030

12. White Cemetery
Bonaparte, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7256012, -91.7566986

13. Thompson Cemetery
Bonaparte, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6622009, -91.8435974

14. Helwig Cemetery
Bonaparte, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6535988, -91.7988968

15. Holsworth Cemetery
Bonaparte, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7489014, -91.7874985

16. Rhoades Cemetery
Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6618996, -91.7660980

17. Steinmeyer Cemetery
Bonaparte, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6483002, -91.7956009

18. Preen Cemetery
Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6458015, -91.8150024

19. Blackmore Cemetery
Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7583600, -91.8251600

20. Boyer Cemetery
Farmington, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6380997, -91.7869034

21. McDaniel Cemetery
Farmington, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6749992, -91.7244034

22. Columbus Cemetery
Bentonsport, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7416700, -91.8833300

23. Wright Cemetery
Farmington, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6405983, -91.7538986

24. Dunn Cemetery
Harrisburg, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7750294, -91.8060006