CHARLES W. JOHNSON

Charles W. Johnson, who is familiarly called Will by his friends—and they are legion—is one of the successful business men, financiers and agriculturists of Cedar county, owning a neat and well improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres adjoining the corporation limits of Mechanicsville. That he is among the older of the native sons of the county is indicated by the fact that he was born in Mechanicsville on the 18th of April, 1858. His father, Isaac B. Johnson, is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. Reared in his native city, Will Johnson began railroading when a young man in the tax department of the Northwestern Railroad Company, entering the service as an employe under his father. He continued in that position for twenty-five years with headquarters at Mechanicsville and his connection with the company, covering a quarter of a century, indicates clearly his fidelity to duty and his accuracy and promptness in the discharge of the tasks which were assigned him.

On the 26th of March, 1884, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Fannie Johnson, a native of Massachusetts, who spent her girlhood days and was educated in the Bay state, where later she engaged in teaching. Her father, Alpheus Johnson, was born at Hardwick, Massachusetts, and represented one of the early families of that state. He was a wheelwright by trade and followed that business in New England. He married Fanny Maria Turner, who was born and reared at Hardwick, and, following their marriage, they continued their residence in Massachusetts until 1878, when they came to Cedar county, Iowa, and settled on a farm near Mechanicsville, where both passed away some years later.

Following their marriage Will Johnson and his wife took up their abode in Mechanicsville, his connection with the Northwestern Railroad Company continuing until his removal to the farm in 1903. He has since remodeled the house and now has a pleasant, modern residence. His well kept fields and the high grades of stock which he raises and feeds indicate his progressive spirit and his practical methods. His labors have at all times been attended with a measure of success that is indicative of unremitting diligence and intelligently directed effort. As the years have gone by the family home has been blessed with three children. Professor Graden W. Johnson, who is a graduate of Cornell College and is now principal of the schools of Sac City, Iowa, has made for himself an enviable reputation in educational circles. Recently he has received the nomination at the primaries for the position of county superintendent of schools of Cedar county. The daughters of the family are Helen and Mildred, the former a graduate of the Mechanicsville high school of the class of 1908.

The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Johnson serves as one of the church trustees. Mrs. Johnson is also an active church worker, cooperating in the different branches of work undertaken by the auxiliary church societies. Fraternally Mr. Johnson is connected with the Masons, holding membership in the lodge at Mechanicsville, while his wife is identified with the Eastern Star, being now one of its officers. His political support is given to the republican party, the principles of which he has endorsed since age gave him the right to vote. He has served on the town council, has filled the office of township trustee and has occupied other local positions to which he has been called by the vote of his fellow townsmen, who recognize his worth and ability and his fidelity to the public good. Both Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are widely and favorably known not only in Mechanicsville but throughout that part of the county and take a prominent part in the social interests of the community and in its moral progress.