Genesee-Bay County MI Archives Biographies.....Johnson, Charles H. 1838 - 
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com January 28, 2007, 1:12 am

Author: Chapman Bros. (1892)

CHARLES H. JOHNSON, one of the best known and most successful lawyers in Flint,
is a partner of Judge Gold and a son of Abner C. Johnson, who will also be
represented in this work. Our subject was born in Mundy Township, this county,
January 23, 1847, and is the eldest of three children. His early training was in
the district school and on the farm, and he also worked in the sawmill. Later he
studied in the Clarkson Academy and continued his studies at the Flint High
School and afterward attended the Thomas Business College at Flint, graduating
from both these last-named institutions and then attending one term at the
University of Michigan.

  The young man now took a position as general manager of the Southerland &
Wheaton Lumber Company, after which he went to Midland and took charge of the
mill there belonging to the same firm. Upon his return to Flint he entered the
employ of Reuben McCreery, taking charge, of the men at his mill in Forest
Township, and afterward went to Bay County to take charge of his father's lumber
interests there on the Caucaulin River. There he had entire charge and kept two
lumber camps in operation. He shipped the first three hundred and sixty thousand
feet of lumber that went through straight from Bay City and Caucaulin to Ann Arbor.

  There was a great deal of responsibility in his work, as he had entire charge
of the men who were working in the woods, but he was successful in his
management of this somewhat turbulent and unmanageable element and gave complete
satisfaction. The next season he took charge of his father's farm in Mundy
Township, and worked it for three years while his father worked in Flint.

  About this time Charles Johnson began studying law, obtaining his first law
book from Col. W. M. Fenton. The Colonel wanted to know what he thought about it
and he replied that it was "pretty good," and the Colonel kindly encouraged him
and loaned him other books. While on the farm he took a regular course of
reading under Judge Howard and Judge Long, the latter now Supreme Judge and the
former subsequently United States District Attorney in Utah. After returning to
the city he lived in the family of Judge Howard and was admitted to the bar in
Flint.

  After practicing law for three months alone, the young attorney entered into
partnership with Mr. Wisner, an advantageous connection which lasted for
fourteen years, under the firm name of Wisner & Johnson. In 1881 he became
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney under Mr. Wisner and retained that office for
four years. His name was placed upon the Republican ticket in 1888 for the
office of Prosecuting Attorney, and he was elected by about nineteen hundred
majority, which is the largest majority received by any man on the ticket, not
even excepting Mark S. Brewer, and no prosecuting attorney ever received so
large a majority.

  The partnership between Mr. Johnson and Mr. Wisner was dissolved in 1890 on
account of the latter gentleman having been appointed Census Enumerator for this
district. It was then the oldest and most extensive law firm in Flint. After
this our subject became a partner with Judge Howard and Judge Gold, and after
the death of the former gentleman the firm became Gold & Johnson. This firm has
a regular practice, v paying special attention to criminal cases.

  Upon Mr. Johnson's beautiful farm of eighty acres is situated the best
artesian well in the State. He was married in Flint to Miss Rebecca E. Mowrey,
who was born in Norwich, Conn., and is a daughter of Samuel Mowrey, a
manufacturer of paper and President of the Type Manufacturing Company of that
city, also of a Steel and Spring Works. The Mowrey axle, patented by him, has a
national reputation. Mrs. Johnson is a graduate in music and of genuine musical
talent. One child was granted to them, to whom they gave the name of Ida M., and
who died in infancy. Mrs. Johnson is a member of the Congregational Church and
is active in its work. Mr. Johnson is a Mason, having attained the Knights
Templar degree, and is a stanch Republican and influential in the ranks of his
party in the State.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

Portrait and Biographical Record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties,
Michigan, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative
Citizens, Together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State, and of
the Presidents of the United States

Chicago:
Chapman Bros.
1892


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