ORIN CLYDE JOHNSON
History of Arizona, page 352

In the list of Yuma's successful business men and progressive and 
public spirited citizens Orin C. Johnson holds a leading place, 
for his career here over a long period of years has been marked 
by adherence to the highest commercial and civic ideals, and 
today no resident of this community holds a higher place in public 
regard, than he.  He was born in Iroquois County, Ill  on the 6th 
day of September 1876, and is a son of William A. and Sarah 
Catherine (Cook) Johnson, both of whom were born in Indiana, the 
mother in Madison County. The father, who was engaged in the real 
estate business for many years, was a veteran of the Civil War. 
In 1887 he moved to Los Angeles, California, where he spent his 
remaining years, his death occurring  there in 1921 at the age of 
seventy six years. His widow, who was born in 1849 ,is now living 
in Glendale, California at the age of eighty years. They became 
the parents of six children, five sons and a daughter four of 
whom are living.

Orin C. Johnson was taken to Kansas in his childhood and remained 
there until 1887 when he accompanied his parents on their removal 
to Los Angeles, where he completed his public school education. In 
1898 when twenty two years of age, he came to Yuma and has been a 
resident of this place continuously since, a period of thirty one 
years.  His first work here was as a clerk in a general merchandise 
store, in which he remained until 1902 when he established the 
same line of business for himself. In this he was very successful 
and carried it on until 1919 when he retired from the mercantile 
end of the business and has since devoted his attention exclusively 
to the business of funeral directing. He has a modern and well 
equipped mortuary with a frontage of one hundred feet and in every 
respect well adapted to its purpose.  Mr. Johnson, who is an exert 
embalmer, is courteous and considerate in the handling of funerals 
and is conscientious in his efforts to render the best possible 
service. His building includes a reception room, mortuary, chapel, 
preparation room and stock room. Mr. Johnson has been successful 
in his material affairs and is President of the people's Finance 
and Thrift Corporation, is Secretary of the Yuma Realty Investment 
Company and owns a large amount of real estate in the city of 
Yuma, including one of the most attractive and best furnished 
homes in this city.

Mr. Johnson has been married twice, first to Laura Belle Peck to 
which union were born eight children, of whom six are living: 
Edith B., born in 1901 who is a teacher; Omar F. born in 1906; 
Francis, born in 1908, who is associated with his father in 
business; Orin C. Jr., born in 1912; Hallan H., born in 1914 and 
Robert born in 1918. The mother of these children died in 1920 
and in 1922 Mr. Johnson married Mrs. Matilda H. Cooke of Douglas, 
a daughter of George Henninger.

Mr. Johnson is a member of Yuma Lodge No. 17, F&AM of which he 
was treasurer for fifteen years; Arizona Consistory No. 1 AASR 
at Tucson; El Zaribah Tempe, AAONMS at Phoenix; Ivanhoe Lodge No. 
23 KP; Yuma Lodge No 476, BPOE and the Kiwanis Club and Yuma 
County Club.  He is a republican in his political affiliation 
and his religious membership is with the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, of which he is a member of the official board and 
treasurer for many years. He has passed the examinations of 
the state embalming boards in California and Arizona and is 
licensed in both states.  He has served as president of the 
board of  trustees of the Yuma Union High School and has 
shown a deep interest in educational affairs. He has stood 
consistently for those things which make for the well being 
of  society, and the prosperity of the community and is 
regarded as one of Yuma's substantial and dependable citizens.


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