PIONEER LADY DEAD
Mrs. F. W. John Died in Gillett Last Thursday Night
RESIDENT COUNTY 53 YEARS
Of Kindly, Genial Nature Was Friend of Hundreds Who Had Enjoyed Her Hospitality
Deceased was born in Germany May 8, 1830, and later came to America, settling in Milwaukee when in 1852 she was married to Mr. John and in 1855 she came to Oconto, Mr John having preceded her the previous year. In May 1858 they moved up the river, to what is now Gillett where they carved out a home for themselves out of the dense forest, only one white woman being seen by them on their way up the river. While they suffered all the trials and privations of this extreme frontier life the traveler who entered their home was always assured from them a cordial, jolly greeting and the motherly solicitations of Mrs. John for their welfare and comfort and the Johnıs home was for years a haven of rest to the weary sojourner whose business or hunting trips took him to this portion of Oconto County, at that time virgin forests.
She continued to reside at Gillett from that time until her death and leaves still residents of Gillett her husband three sons A. C., W. W. and R. D. John and one daughter Laura L. John and one son Victor R(H). John at Wabeno to mourn her departure.
The funeral, which was held at Gillett last Sunday with Rev. C. S. Gerlach and Rev. G. M. Wenz of Oshkosh officiating, was one of the largest ever held in the village and every one present from Gillett and from outside the village revered her as a friend through, enjoying her hospitality or from association with her as a neighbor and their sympathy goes out to the surviving members of the family. Her remains were laid at rest in the Gillett town cemetery.