Bio of JOHNSON, Charles J. (b.1849 d.1918), Hennepin Co., MN
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EXTRACTED FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest; 
Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev. 
Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical); 
volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical
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Vol II, pg 612-615
CHARLES J. JOHNSON
Like the steady growth of a great tree which has its beginning in a tiny shoot
and develops steadily until its great branches bring shade to a wide area, was
the business record of Charles J. Johnson. Active, alert, progressive, his
interest constantly broadened in scope and volume and he became a forceful
factor in commercial, manufacturing and financial circles in Minneapolis and the
state. He was born September 12, 1849, in Hofmantorp, Smaland, Sweden, a son of
Johanas and Johana (Peterson) Johnson. He acquired his early education in his
native land and worked on his father's farm to the age of nineteen years, when
he came with his uncle to the United States in 1869. He spent the first winter
at Faribault, Minnesota, and in the spring of 1870 came to Minneapolis, where he
worked in the lumberyards and on the river. In the winter of that year he
attended the public schools and in the winter of 1871-2 entered the University
of Minnesota, wherein he continued his studies until the spring of 1873, thus
qualifying for larger responsibilities in the business world and perfecting his
knowledge of the English language. He devoted his attention to the lumber
business in the employ of others until 1879, when he established business on his
own account at Evansville, Minnesota, opening a lumber yard there, which he
continued to operate until 1884. He then returned to Minneapolis, where he
engaged with C. A. Smith and John S. Pillsbury, Sr., in the operation of a
sawmill, buying logs which they sawed into lumber. In this connection a business
of substantial proportions was developed. In 1892 Mr. Johnson built a sawmill in
Minneapolis (the C. A. Smith Lumber Company Mill), which was continuously in
operation until 1913 and was one of the largest plants in the city. In the
development of the business he displayed marked initiative, enterprise and power
of organization and contributed in large measure to the success of the company,
of which he was vice president until his death. He also occupied the vice
presidency of the Northwestern Compo Board Company and was one of the directors
of the Swedish American National Bank. He was likewise connected with a number
of other business and financial institutions, being president of several banks
and lumber yards there and also at the head of hardware stores through the
Northwest. His business affairs thus constantly broadened in volume and
importance and as the tree, to which he has previously been likened, carried
benefit to the various communities in which he operated.
In 1881 Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Mary S. Kraft, a daughter of
Johanas and Anna Kraft, natives of Sweden. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson became parents
of three sons: Victor A., Guy C. and Ansel R. H., all interested and continuing
the business carried on by the father. Ansel served in the navy during the World
war, being stationed at Chatham, Massachusetts. The family circle was broken by
the hand of death when on the 11th of October, 1918, Mr. Johnson passed away. He
was a lifelong republican, actively interested in the party and in its success,
yet never aspiring to public office. He was an active member of the Odin Club
and liberal in his support of other social organizations. He was for many years
a valued trustee of Minnesota College, in which he had always been much
interested since its organization. He was for several years a member of the Park
Board of Minneapolis. He held membership in the Augustina Swedish Lutheran
church, of which he was a trustee for many years and his aid and support were
always given to any project that he believed would benefit mankind and promote
the public welfare. Coming to America without capital when a youth in his teens,
he steadily worked his way upward, wisely using his advantages and opportunities
and as the years passed he achieved notable success and also made for himself a
most creditable name through the honorable and straightforward manner in which
he conducted his business affairs.