Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1912-04-10

CHARLES E. JOHNSON.

at the beCneSOa nOSpltal IN OI. + aul.
Mrs. Johnson and daughter, Flor
ence, were present at his bedside
when the final summons came. Mr..
Johnson was operated upon two
weeks ago and his condition has
been very critical since then, so that
his demise was not unexpected. In
his death the family loses a kind
and loving husband and father, and
the community one Of its leading cit
liens and faithful servant who has
stood uncompromisingly for the
right and better things in our citizen
ship.
Charles E. Johnson was born in
the township of Fahlun, this county,
May %, 1860. At that time, the
family lived in humble dugout on
the shores Of Lake Wagonga. Chas.
was the seventh child Of Rev. Peter
NJ. and Eva Johnson. His father
was one Of the sturdy pioneer mis-
sionaries who preached the word of
God among the early settlers. The
year following the birth Of Charles
the family moved to Lake Elizabeth
where the home was built on a pre-
empted claim. This home was re-
tanned and finally became the pro-
perty Of Charles E. Johnson. The
different appointments Of his faith
er as pastor led to. the residence Of
the family in different places. Charles
spent one year with his parents at
Anoka, five in Goodhue county, one
at Lansing, Iowa, one in Minneiska,
Minn., and three in Duluth. While
at Duluth Charles served as car
rier for the first daily published in
Duluth and was one year with the
Duluth Herald. He also attended the
schools Of Duluth for two years. At
the age Of thirteen he began strug
gle for existence on his own account.
He worked as a farm laborer in
Goodhue county until 1878 when his
father induced him and his brother
to go to the old claim in Lake Eliza
beth and prepare it as a home for
the old folks in their declining years.
Charles has made his home on that
farm ever since. His father died
February 6, 1901. Mr.. Johnson has
always taken an active part in pub
lie affairs Of his neighborhood and
county, having served on the town
board, as assessor, school clerk, etc.,
for a number of years. He served
his district as County Commissioner
from 1892 to 1896. He was Pro-
hibition candidate for State Senator
in 1890. During the last six years
he has represented Kandiyohi Coun-
ty in the House Of Representatives
in the State Legislature and has
made most enviable record. Lynn
Haines, who has been in close touch
with the doings of the Legislature
for several terms, has this to say of
Mr.. Johnson in his book giving the
record Of the Minnesota Legislature
for 1911:
"Insurgent leader; the first OF
''the three Johnsons," who were all
always in the front ranks Of the pro-
gressive group; supported Burnquist
for Speaker and voted consistently
in the interests Of the people from
the beginning to the end Of the ses.
sion; introduced a number Of meri.
torious measures, among them being
bill to regulate the carrying Of iv'
stock on railroads; was especiall,
interested in the county option bill
the initiative and referendum and tn,
recall Of all public officers. Mr.
Johnson was one of the most intel
ligent and determined Of the insur
gents"
On the 18th Of June, 1881, at LAX
Elizabeth, Mr.. johnson was marie,
to Miss Wealthy Jane Church. Si
children were born to them, Harrison
Florence, Chester, Wesley, Glenn an
Clementine. He is also mourned b.
several brothers and sisters, Mrs. +
G. Skate Of Sauk Rapids, MINI.
Mrs. George Marilius Of Willistor
N. D.; Mrs. Andrew Anderson O
Redwing, Mimi; Christopher John
son Of Lostina, Oregon; Mrs. H. Cd
land and Mrs. Frank Peterson q
Seattle, Wash. The bereaved one
have the heartfelt sympathy Of th
entire county in their irreparab]
| loss.
The funeral will occur at Atwate
next Friday afternoon Immediate
after the arrival of the afternoo
train from St. Paul. Services wi
be held at the Swedish NJ. E. churc
in Atwater. Owing to the illness {
Rev. Hultgren, it is not known ,
this time who will conduct the ser,
ices.
NELS PETERSON.
An early pioneer Of the Norws
Lake region, Nels Peterson, pass
from the scenes Of an eventful Ii
last Monday morning at seven q