The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-04-26
OBITUARY.
Freeborn johnson.

Frceborn Johnson, well known con-
tractor and builder Of this city, died at
his residence on s.enOX avenue on Satur-
day afternoon. About years ago he was
confined 10 his homo by IA severe attack Of
rheumatism, and although for some time
no continued TO direct to com pletion work
under construction, he at length decided
to lay aside ire cares of business. During
the last year his sickness took compli-
Gated and painful forms, but nOtwith-
standing moments of severe suffering, he
was cheerfL.t in spirit and bright in
mind, and up 10 the time of his death was
able to superintend his personal affairs.
On the sth of April last Dir. Johnson
completed his S4th year. Nearly 20 years
of his life have been spent in this city.
ie was born in the town Of West Green
wich, and when IL years of age clmo TO
Providence, equipped with the moagre
education which the country schools at
TINT time afforded, but blessed with a
rugged physique and the shrewd common
sense of IA typical New Englandcr. AS
apprentice to his brother, Pelcg johnson,
ho soon developed natural gifts us car
pcnter and contractor and Ia short time
graduated as a journeyman in that trade.
In 1888 he was married 10 Elizabeth u.
webster, who survives him. soon after his
marriage he started in business for him
self, and rapidly gained the confidence Of
those who employed him so that hisname
became synonymous with frst-cass work
in lines which he undertook He was chiefly
known for tho excellence Of his workman
ship on heavy structures, such us
wharycs, coal pockets factory buildings
and churches Among tho last structures
upon which he was engaged are the works
Of the Rhode Island Perkins Horse Shoe
Company at Valley Falls, the buildings
of the Providence Bithogrnth Company.
the Mechanical Fabric Company. and tho
Ada block on Cromwell and Westiield
streets. 1t may be said In evidence of
his ability that those who employed him
wcro satisfied to loavo To his Judgment not
only the care Of construction, but also the
designing of the structure. Among his
business associates he was known as a
man who kept his word to the letter and
who expected the same observance from
others.
The four-score years Of his life, how
ever, were not devoted entirely To bust
ness lie was man who took n very
active interest in all that tended toward
the moral and social improvement of tho
community In which he lived. His first
home in tins city after Eo was married
was on Clifford street. which at that
time was regarded as the outskirts of the
city. This, in some measures, indicates
tho rapid development that has taken
place during his life, and toward which
he always contributed the part of n
pubic-spiritod citizen
OF his political duties no was very
thoughtful, ard while he had natural
diilidence in accepting public Offices, he
was always ready 90 qaietly lend his in
flucncc in directions which no believed TO
be right He, however served the city in
the Common Council Ia 1868 and 1869 and
from 1913 TO 1875, besides officiating for
some time as assessor Of taxes lie was
a man of ardent religious temperament,
and endcavOrcd Oh shape his actions in
business and politics according TO his
religious convictions. Whom he first came
70 Providence nc attended tne Chestnut
street Methodist church, latcr lac was
| allied with tho MCslovans, then with the
! Bcueiiccnt CONGREGATIONAL church and 40
| the time OF his Coath was q meinbcr Of
! plymouth Congregational church, near
| his residence. llo guvo 10 the duties Of
4 church work the same faithful attention
| which was manifested I'm his business and
| the young Congregational society which
/ started in South Providence some 20 years
ago. has r0coivcd many practical tokens
| OF bis devotion ana sympathy. Out of his
/ strong religious convictions grow u very
| firm stand on the temperance question, Of
| which his life was personal example.
! SO firmly attached was he 90 those princi-
plos that during the agitation OF icw
| years ago, he deemed 10 his uutv, with
! OtsCr members Oi the Prohibition purity.
% leave the Republican faith, OF hich hc
| had always been an ardent ndhcrent
| ANY movement Of a moral, lhilanthr0pic
or religious character which appealed u
his idoas, received practical assistance
from his hands
Among his business associates he held n
high position of admiration aud rcgrcct.
Up 60 the timc hc was confined 20 his
homo he was actively identified with the
Builders and Traders Exchange. II,
was ont-pf the original founders OF that
organization, and served az ITS president
for two years, and for 10 years acted as a..
'rea urcr bosilvs always occupying s0m1
executive position in regard to its man.
aUcWcut
Ihron.hout his long period " illncs,
hc hld uo9n happy in the dcyotcl ntter
tiOn n bis iaG iUi Wiio. who. through
the SD years ot ~ iricd llfc has bccn hi.
constant com anlOn aud counsellor.