The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-12-22
i. Had EvENTFUL CAREER
Colonel Johnson Had Held Many I'm
portant Public Positions.

!
For nearly forty years Colonel John
son had been one of the best-known
men in local business and political cir
cles. Few men were better known or
had a wider field of acquaintance, not
only local but also national. He had
held number of offices, city, county
in party councils and conventions. Since
the close Of the war he had been closely
identified with the growth and develop
ment of Minneapolis and had been CON
nected in a greater or less degree with
most of the interesting events of the
city's history. 49,, 49, r. .,.,
yie st. car county, G III, on IN Ms sa
IT, 1913. After leaving high school
he learned the printer trade. In 1860
he came to Minnesota and taught school
fol-. two years. At the age of 10 he
enlisted in Company D Of the Sixth
1Malsn1nesota, which was organized in
turnout the war.
Prominent in Music
On his return to Minneapolis follow
ing the mastering out of his regiment in
1868 Colonel johnson was thrown abso-
lutely upon his own resources. He had
two. gifts; he was a skilful type
sticker' and could sing. He went out
to reap commercial rewards from the
latter source and for a time taught
music and formed several small
choruses. #<.@ IL .1.--
Later he decided to take advantage
OF his other talent and went to work
as a compositor, but did not lose his in
terest in music. He was one Of the or
ganizers and was secretary Of the Bas-
SIM club which was the first musical
club of any Importance in the city. This
club was later merged into the Mendel-
ssohn club, about 1875 The Mendelssohn
club had membership of about forty
and was the classic musical organiza-
ton of the city in the early days. Col
onel johnson was secretary of the or.
ganization and one Of the members of
the chorus. David Blakely was con
ductor. Some of the best-known men
Of the city of today were members of
the club and sang in it's chorus.
With others Mr.. Johnson was in
fuential in the promotion of the musi:
cal festivals that were held in the old
Coliseum building at the university, de-
several of the large choruses. He was
an able conductor and continued to lead
: choruses from time to time until fifteen
or eighteen years ago. : For years he
was leader Of the choir Of the old Cen
tenary church that stood on the corner
of First avenue S and Seventh street.
, Started First Evening Paper.
His venture in the printing business
led him to an editorial position ani
, thru it he became interested in politics
> In company with Fred L. Smith, hi:
partner in the printing business, he
! started the first evening newspaper il
. Minneapolis, the Evening Mail. The
field was then controlled by the Tribune
, and the Pioneer: Press, of which ''Tom ,
= King was the Minneapolis representa-
+ tive. The Mail was started about 1871
2 and two OF three years later, after al
acting for the Pioneer Press. This CAV
the st. Paul paper the evening field i,
t Minneapolis " -.
a Thru his wide acquaintance and hi
Q newspaper work Mr.. johnson had be
: come local political factor. that wa
a recognized thruout the state. He serve
1 on city, county, state and national com
y mittees and won a wide acquaintanc
: and reputation. His advice was sough
and followed: G q go
e Wrote War Record.
q Turnout his political career he KEEP
d in touch with his printing business an
:, his newspaper work From time to- tim
q he contributed articles to the papers an
. magazines and while in Washington h
acted as correspondent for several pc
pers. When the state Legislature a,
n n thorized the compilation and public;
y y ton of the records of the Minnesot
III regiments in the civil and Indian wal
he was called upon to furnish the narr;
= tive of the Sixth Minnesota, in whic
2 he served as a private Of Company !
This was prepared in 1889 and is one {
\ the best and most interesting account
l of the Sixth regiment in existence.
| In 1873 Colonel johnson held his fir
I office, when he was elected city clerk b
I the council. A year later he was mac
1 secretary Of the state senate, of whie
Lieutenant Governor Alphonso Bar
l was presiding officer. He held tn
I position for nine years. In 1885 I
was chosen chief clerk of the Unite
States senate, in which position h
earlier training came into play. t
was adapted to his work and lived
it and for it during the twelve yea
he was in Washington.