Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1919-03-11
WILLIAM r. JOHNSON
Sudden Death of One of Wausau's
Prominent Business Men

Sunday morning, March 9Th, 1919
brought great sorrow to our people by
the sad announcement of the death OF
William K. Johnson. That he had
passed away at his home on Stewart
Ave, at 1910 o'clock, a. M, was a
shock to all and it could hardly be
realized. He had been ill for about
Two weeks, though was able to attend
TO business until week ago, when
he felt compelled to go home and
remain there until he was better. A
lew days later his trouble developed
INTO erysipelas and he grew rapidly
worse until the end came.
Mr.. Johnson had been a resident
OF Wausau for nearly thirty years and
during that time had thoroughly iden-
Tined himself in the educational
religious and industrial affairs of our
city. The good which he accomplished
cannot be estimated, suffice it to saw
that he freely gave his time-although
very busy man-to every movement,
winch had for its aim the lettering of
condltlons in our community. He
sought fields in which he could best
work for the interest of his fellow
men. He was long member of the
FIRST M. E. church and one of its
very active workers; a member of
Forest Lodge, No. $50, F. and A. NJ,
and of Marathon Chapter, Order of the
eastern Star; of the Y. NJ. c. A.. and
Wausau Rotary Club, and to all of
these, as well as to the community.
his loss is irreparable.
VIM. r. Johnson was born in La
crosse, Wis, on the 9Th day of August
1876, and was the son of Mr.. and Mrs.
Jeremiah f. Johnson, now residents of
thls city. Deceased came here with
ms parents in 1890 and was graduated
from our high school, class of 1895.
For three years afterwards he was a
student OF Lawrence College, Apple
ton, when he went to Hermansville,
Mich, to become the principal of the
schools of that city, and a year later
became principal of the Lincoln school
OF this city. Under his able manage
ment the school was increased from
SIX to fourteen rooms. He established
manual training department, pur-
chasing the first equipment himself.
so great was the enthusiasm created
among the students that he took a
summer course at the Lewis Institute
chicago, and he also visited Indian
apolis, Dayton, Oak Park and Mime
apollS, investigating schools, which
mad manual training departments. He
was the leader in installing manual
training in our city schools and be-
came director of manual training as
we'll as principal in the Lincoln
school. He retired from school work
IN 1909 and established what has since
been know as Johnson's Electric Shop.
This institution, through his efforts.
has become known throughout the
Valley for its excellent work. A
branch store in Marshfield has met
with great success. Contracts in ad-
Jacent cities and at home have kept
many expert men busy, while the
stores handled fixtures and supplies.
Mr. Johnson was also one of the
proprletors of the Wausau, Eland
Junction and Elderon telephone line,
which was taken over by the govern
ment during the time of the war.
Mr.. johnson was united in marriage
with Miss Minerva Ecklej of Buena
Vista, Wis, in August 1904, by whom
he is survived. He also leaves three
sons, Raymond, Charles and Harold
and one daughter, Ruth Elizabeth, his
parents and one brother, Argall John
son, all of this city, and two sisters,
Mrs. w. E. Williams of Waukegan,
ILL.,, and Mrs. Grant Johnson of Wash
burn, Wis.
Funeral services were held from the
home this Tuesday afternoon, the Rev.
Richard Evans officiating.. The Ma
sonic fraternity conducted the ritual
service at the grave in Pine Grove
cemetery.
The pail bearers were C. S. Gilbert,
II. G. Flieth, H. 1. Crawford, Karl
Mathie, S. B. Tobey and H. G. Berger.