**************************************************************************** File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project Copyright 2008, all rights reserved. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format without the written consent of the author at http://fulton.ilgenweb.net. **************************************************************************** Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890 **************************************************************************** The Biography of Charles E. JOHNSON Pages 505-506, transcribed in full by Danni Hopkins [Surnames: JOHNSON, LACEY, PARKISON, ROWLEY] 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.