Johnson, Julius B.

JOHNSON, COLEMAN

Posted By: Volunteer Subscribers
Date: 4/15/2003 at 18:56:50

Source: "The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated" published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.

JULIUS B. JOHNSON.

For over forty-five years this gentleman was one of the honored and representative citizens of Clinton, and as a contractor and builder was prominently identified with her development and prosperity. For the past twelve years, however, he has lived retired from active business, and in 1901 removed to Jersey City, New Jersey, to make his home with his only son, Frank H. Johnson, an accountant, who has a good position with a large firm of that place.

Mr. Johnson was born in Onondaga county, New York, in 1822, and when a young man went to Syracuse, that state, where he learned both the plasterer’s and bricklayer’s trades. As a contractor and builder he came to Clinton county, Iowa, in 1855, to erect what is to-day known as the Windsor Hotel. This city was at that time little known to the outside world, as it contained but a few small frame houses, its principal structures being built of logs. The Windsor Hotel was the first brick building erected here, and was then considered a very rash investment, but it was built so substantially that it is still one of the leading hotels of the place, having always been very popular with the traveling public. Its walls have never cracked, and it is a good specimen of the durability and excellence of our subject’s work. As the new town seemed to be a promising location, he decided to settle here after completing the hotel, and became one of its leading contractors. He erected all but three of the store buildings on the north side of Fifth avenue between Second and Third streets, and built many other of the best business blocks in the city, including a block which he owns. He also built the Methodist Episcopal church and a large number of the fine residences of the city; but about twelve years ago he laid aside business cares and has since lived retired.

His reliability in all business transactions and his upright and honorable dealings gained for Mr. Johnson the esteem and confidence not only of his business associates, but of all with whom he came in contact, and on going to Jersey City he left behind him a host of warm friends in Clinton who had for him the highest regard. In early life he married Miss Lydia Coleman, and to them was born only one child, Frank H., who was reared and educated in Clinton and here spent his early life, but, as previously stated, he is now living in Jersey City, New Jersey. Being well advanced in life, his parents went to Jersey City in the spring of 1901 to make their home with him, that they might enjoy a well-earned rest. He only lived with his son in Jersey City two weeks when he died of inflammation of the bladder, on May 24, 1901, and was brought back to Clinton for burial. Mr. Johnson is liberal in religious views, while his wife holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church.