CHARLES L. JOHNSON.
It is not an easy task to describe adequately the man who has led an eminently active and busy life, and who has attained to a position of relative distinction in the community with which his interests are allied, but biography finds its most perfect justification, nevertheless, in tracing and recording such life histories. It is with a full appreciation of all that is demanded, and with the painstaking scrutiny which must be accorded each statement that the writer has essayed the task of touching briefly upon the details of Mr. Johnson's career. Charles L. Johnson, a well-known member of the Johnson Grain Company, of Audubon, Iowa, has achieved a notable success in life, and is one of the best-known citizens of this county.
Charles L. Johnson was born on October 19, 1884, in Dallas county, Iowa, the son of Matt and Maria (Christensen) Johnson, the former of whom was a native of Schleswig, Germany, and the latter of Denmark. Matt Johnson came to this country when he was twenty-seven years of age, and located first at Des Moines, Iowa, where he was married. He worked for a time in the coal mines near Des Moines, and from that place removed to Dallas county. Iowa, where he purchased a farm of two hundred and sixty-two acres. This farm he later sold for thirty-five dollars an acre, and in 1891 came to this county, locating in Audubon, where he engaged in the grain and live-stock business, which he continued successfully for twelve years, after which he added coal to his business, and built up a large and lucrative patronage in grain, live stock and coal in Audubon and the surrounding community. Matt Johnson died on December 26, 1911. He and his wife were the parents of eight children, Anna, Lena, Mollie, Elda, Emma, Charles L., May and Alva, all of whom are living, with the exception of Anna and Mollie. Mrs. Johnson is still living in Audubon.
Charles L. Johnson spent one year in the public schools of Dallas county, Iowa, afterwards finishing his education in the schools of Audubon county, and after leaving school entered the grain and coal business in Audubon with his father, and has now been engaged in this business for fourteen years, at present being associated with his brother, Alva, also a well-known and progressive business man of Audubon county.
On April 16, 1907, Charles L. Johnson was married to Jessie Mushruch, daughter of Michael and Eliza Mushruch. The Mushruch family is one of the oldest in Audubon county, having come here when most of the farming land was a raw prairie. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are the parents of two children, Ruby and Mary.
Mr. Johnson is a Republican and was elected city treasurer of Audubon several years ago, and is now serving in this office for the third term, this fact alone speaking well for the manner in which he has discharged the duties of this responsible office. He has been prominent for many years in the councils of his party in the city of Audubon and in the county.
The Johnson Grain Company is well known throughout Audubon county, and has built up an enviable reputation for honest and scrupulous dealing, the reputation of this firm being founded upon the upright characters of the two brothers. Charles L. and Alva Johnson, who have so successfully carried out the sterling business principles adopted by their father when he established the business many years ago.
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Transcribed from History of Audubon County, Iowa Its People, Industries and Institutions With Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families, by H. F. Andrews, editor, Indianapolis: B. F. Bowen & Company, 1915, pp. 382-383.
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