Johnsen, Charles 1863 - 1929

JOHNSEN, JOHANSEN, BROWN, MURPHY

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 9/20/2022 at 16:57:34

Elkader Register, Thur., 02 Jan. 1930.

Charles Johnsen, Chicago banker, died at the home of his sister, Mrs. D. D. Murphy, at about 12:30 Monday morning, December 30th.

Mr. Johnsen came Tuesday, Dec. 24th, to spend the holidays, and apparently was suffering from an attack of influenza when he arrived. His health had been failing for the past two years or more, and complications developed which caused his death. He had reached the age of 66 years, eight months and 11 days.

Born at Guttenberg, Iowa, April 19, 1863, Mr. Johnsen received his early education in the schools of that place. He then attended the Wisconsin State Normal School at Platteville graduating in 1887. Then followed a period of teaching in which his ability was quickly recognized. He was for a time principal of the high school at Highland, Wis., and at another time principal of the High School at Lancaster, Wis.

In 1891 he came to Elkader and began the study of law in the office of D. D. Murphy, his brother-in-law. He was admitted to the bar in 1893, practicing for a short time with Mr. Murphy.

In 1894 during the illness of Henry McGaheran, cashier of the Elkader State Bank, Mr. Johnsen was called to assist in that institution and he became cashier shortly afterward when Mr. McGaheran resigned. This position he held until 1907. In July of that year he went to Chicago, where he accepted the position of Vice President of the Lake View Trust and Savings Bank.

About 1913, associated with a number of friends, he organized the Citizens State Bank, of Chicago, and became its president. This position he held until the last annual meeting of the stockholders; when, at his request, another man was made president, but Mr. Johnsen was retained as chairman of the board of directors. He had seen the bank grow from its original capital of $500,000 to a big financial institution with assets of over $12,000,000.

Mr. Johnsen was married in 1900 to Miss Alvina Brown, of Garnavillo, and they were devoted companions until her death in 1920.

One sister, Mrs. D. D. Murphy, and one nephew, C. F. Murphy, of Elkader, are the only close relatives surviving. A brother, Willian Johnsen, died some years ago.

Funeral services were held at the D. D. Murphy home at 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, January 1st. Prayer was offered by Rev. C. H. Franke, after which Rev. A. S. Kilbourn gave an address which brought home to the listeners many of the qualities which had made Mr. Johnsen so well liked and trusted by all who came in contact with him. Following this address the remains were taken to Guttenberg for burial.

Charles Johnsen was a man of high ability and mental attainment; a gentleman under all circumstances; with a keen sense of responsibility to those who trusted him. A clear thinker in business, a lover of literature, a splendid companion and entertainer, he loved the society and friendship of a wide circle of friends and was equally beloved by them. We have no desire to picture Mr. Johnsen other than he was; he made no pretensions, but we doubt if there are many of those who knew him well during the last thirty-five or forty years, who will not feel a sense of personal loss in his passing. He was a member of the Masonic order and also of several prominent clubs in Chicago.

(Note: See the entries under both surname spellings on the WPA and IGPP.)