Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County,
Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of
prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with
portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States,
and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890;
page 505-506; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
Charles E. Johnson. To behold the progress and culture of
Pleasant Township one would scarcely imagine that a few years back it
was little more than a forest primeval and possessed only the charm of
nature. This place is rightly named, being in very truth an exceedingly
pleasant township and one well adapted to business and pleasure alike.
Among the early pioneers, those who hewed out the foundation upon which
the little city has been built, numbers the subject of our sketch. He
makes his home on section 9, and is largely instrumental in bringing
about many of the new and successful methods of advancing business,
educational and social standards.
Mr. Johnson's birth occurred in Saratoga County, N. Y., on the
13th of July, 1830, being the son of Lemuel and Lydia (Rowley) Johnson,
natives of New York. His paternal ancestors were of English descent and
came to this country to seek a broader scope for their abilities than
was afforded in the old and crowded country. He passed his childhood
and youth in his native State, and there received as good an education
as the times offered, though he did not receive half the training that
is given young men of the present day, and yet his success has been
greater than will be achieved perhaps, by most of these highly educated
young men. There is nothing so well calculated to bring out all the
energy and ambition a man possesses as the necessity early in life for
making his own way.
Mr. Johnson in the fall of 1849 removed to Illinois, coming by
way of Buffalo and the lakes and Chicago. Upon reaching this State, he
located in Fulton County. In 1853 he married Miss Harriett Lacey, who
was born in Tompkins County, N. Y., on the 10th of September, 1833, and
daughter of John Lacey whose sketch appears in this volume.
Our subject and his wife became the parents of seven children,
four of whom are living at the present time, viz: Laura A., wife of
James Parkison, of Bernadotte Township; Milburn H., of Bernadotte
Township; Mattie C., who lives with her parents; Blake E. Those
deceased are, John L., Cora A. and Carrie I.
The subject of our sketch after his marriage farmed on section
9, on the farm of John Lacey, and purchased his present farm in 1882
and has continued to make this his home up to the present writing. He
owns one hundred and sixty acres of land that is well cultivated and
his residence is two miles east of Ipava village. He is truly a
self-made man and has met with both friendship and financial success in
his journey through life. He started at the bottom of the ladder and
has climbed without other assistance than his courteous manners and
good judgment.
Mr. Johnson is a member of the Democratic party. He is a member
of A. F. & A. M. Lodge No. 213 at Ipava. He has for several years
been road Commissioner of this township and also Constable and
Collector. Being a very public-spirited man and one possessed of
undaunted courage, he has always advocated the cause of worthy
undertakings that were calculated to advance the interests of the
community in which he resides. Mrs. Johnson is a faithful member of the
Christian Church, and she and her husband are popular in social circles
and noted for their intellectuality. Indeed the subject of our sketch
is classed among the most influential and wealthy citizens of this
place, and is highly respected both here and throughout the surrounding
county.
