Niels Johnson
VETERAN | BLACK HAWK WAR
1848 - 1936

Father: John Peter Rasmus Johnson
Mother: Caroline Marie Nielson Toft Johnson
Spouse: Josephine Caroline Mathia Johnson
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AGED PIONEER,
CIVIC WORKER DIES AT HOME
Niels Johnson, Ex-Provo
Watermaster, Sexton Passes

Niels Johnson, 87, pioneer and prominent church and civic worker of Provo, died early Saturday morning at his home, 356 South Fifth East street.

Mr. Johnson was born in Weili county, Denmark, Sept. 10, 1948, a son of J. P. R. and Karen [Caroline] Maria Toft Johnson. He came to this country with his parents when he was eight years of age, crossing the plains with Captain John Smith's ox-team company, of which his father was assistant captain. The family lived in Salt Lake City for two years, then moved to Provo.

During his early life, Mr. Johnson was a railroad contractor, and later a successful farmer. He was a member of the city council for two years, during the last term, 1900-01, serving as chairman of finance committee. He was road supervisor for two years, city sexton for six years, and assisted in the building of a number of canals in and around Provo. At one time he was president of the Upper East Union Irrigation company, and was city watermaster for two years.

He had always taken an active part in L. D. S. church affairs, at one time serving as counselor to his father in the First Ward bishopric for many years. He was chairman of the Old Folks' committee for several years, and a Sunday school teacher in the First Ward for 25 years. At the time of death he held the office of a High Priest. Also, he was president of J. P. R. Johnson family organization.

He married Josephine Johnson May 3, 1869, in the Salt Lake endowment house. She died Jan. 2, 1917. Two granddaughters, Miss Caroline Hinckley and Mrs. Christine Robinson, who are in New York at the present time, have lived with him for several years.

Four sons and one daughter survive as follows: Stephen J., Los Angeles; J. Edwin, Lehi; J. William and Alfred C. Johnson, Provo; Mrs. Josephine Cohen, Salt Lake City; 20 grandchildren and he following half-brothers and half-sisters: Joseph, Owen, Hans, David, Etta, Inger, and Brigham Johnson, and Mrs. Joseph Kirkwood, Provo.

Funeral services will be held Monday at 1:30 o'clock in Bonneville ward chapel, with Bishop Andrew Jensen in charge. Friends are invited to call at the Berg Mortuary Sunday evening, and at the home Monday prior to the services. Interment will be in the Provo city burial park [Provo City Cemetery].

- Provo Daily Herald | 17 May 1936 | p. 1 | transcribed by Annie Duckett Hundley.
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- Other Sources: Provo City Cemetery records | Utah Death Registers | Utah Cemetery Inventory | Utah County Cemetery Index.