Description
Ex-Slave Dies at 105 - James Gasaway Johnson Was a Gardener and Preacher - Religious Faith Was Responsible for His Long Life, the Parkville Resident Says" - - James Gasaway Johnson, Parkville, who was born a slave in Jacksonville, Mississippi, died Monday at the Douglass hospital, Kansas City, Kansas, where he had been a patient since Friday. He was 105 years old.
Johnson, who once boasted of being the champion coal-shoveler in Missouri, had kept close to his home the last few years, but some remember that he was out last election day.
He was proud of his gardening, and planted one as late as 4 years ago. His son, Roy C. Johnson, 1519 East Truman Road, Independence, said: “It was the prettiest you ever saw.”
In Mississippi, Johnson was the slave of the Culver family, plantation owners, and moved with them when they went to St. Joseph, Missouri, shortly after the war. After reaching Missouri. Mr. Johnson went his own way.
He married 3 times. His first wife died in 1908, and his second wife died 10 years ago. His third wife, Mrs. Georgia Johnson, survives. There were nine children by his first wife. Besides the son, a daughter, Miss Mamie Johnson, Chicago, survives.
In his later years, Johnson became a preacher. His son remembers being taken as a small boy to Waldron, Platte County, for Sunday sermons. Johnson’s last preaching was about 10 years ago. He attributed his long life to his religious faith.
Services will be held at 2 o’clock Thursday at the Washington Chapel Baptist Church, Parkville. Burial will be in the old Parkville cemetery.Date(s) of Creation
6/6/1951
