Contra Costa County Biography

CHARLES JOHNSON

Transcribed by Sally Kaleta, December, 2006.

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

 
Prominent among the representative men of Richmond, and one whose ability is 
recognized as a contractor, is Charles Johnson. He is a native of Sweden, and 
was born March 28, 1875. He received his education in his native land. Laying 
aside his books, he started to learn the carpenter's trade, which he followed 
for some time. He saw the possibilities of the New World, and came to this 
country in 1896, at the age of twenty-one, locating in Chicago. There for one 
year he followed his trade, and then removed to Cadillac, Michigan. Later he 
heard the call to the West, and went to Washington, locating in Spokane County, 
where for four years he was connected with the Great Northern Railroad in its 
car department. In March, 1902, he removed to Richmond, where he readily found 
employment with the Santa Fe Railroad, remaining with that company eight years. 
In the spring of 1911 he began contracting with gratifying success. Politically, 
Mr. Johnson is a Progressive. He was united in marriage to Miss Nanei C. 
Westman, a native of Michigan, December 2,1903. There one child, Axel Fairchild, 
was born September 18, 1907. Fraternally, Mr. Johnson is affiliated with the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and his wife is an active member in the sister 
lodge, the Rebekahs. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have made many friends in Richmond and 
are popular in lodge work.
 
Source: "The History of Contra Costa County, California", Elms Publ. Co., 1917, 
pp. 472-473.