Lawrence C. Johnson

As printed in 1910

LAWRENCE CHARLES JOHNSON.

Lawrence Charles Johnson, a well known and prominent citizen of Galva, his native town, has continuously served as notary public since 1893 and is also identified with the abstract and fire insurance business. He was born on the 6th of December, 1868, a son of Swan P. and Mary (Swanson) Johnson, both of whom were natives of Sweden. The paternal grandfather and grandmother passed away when well advanced in years. Olof Swanson, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was likewise born in Sweden but in 1854 established his home in this country. He passed away in Dayton, Webster county, Iowa, at a ripe old age. His wife, Mrs. Anna Swanson, also lived to be very old. They had a family of six children, two of the sons enlisting in the Union Army and giving up their lives for their adopted country.

Swan P. Johnson, the father of Lawrence C. Johnson, crossed the Atlantic to the United States in 1857 and at once made his way to Galva, this county. The lady who afterward became his wife took up her above in Galva soon after the year 1854. He was actively and successfully engaged in the merchant tailoring business at Galva until the time of his demise in February, 1893, when he had attained the age of fifty-five years. At the time of the Civil war he loyally fought for the interests of the Union as a private of Company D, Seventeenth

Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for about two years. He was taken prisoner at Holly Springs, Mississippi, but was soon afterward paroled. He gave his political allegiance to the men and measures of the republican party and took an active and helpful interest in all matters pertaining to the public welfare. His wife, surviving him for more than a decade, was called to her final rest in May, 1903, when sixty-three years of age. She was a devoted and faithful member of the Congregational church and was the mother of three children, one son and two daughters, as follows: Mary L., the deceased wife of M. M. Keeler, of Galesburg, dying in January, 1904; Lawrence C, of this review; and Emma A., who died in January, 1894.

Lawrence C. Johnson was reared and educated in the place of his nativity, completing the high-school course by graduation in 1885. He then took a course in the Davenport Business College and in 1887, after leaving that institution, entered his father's tailoring establishment. In 1890 he was admitted to a partnership in the concern and soon after his father's death, in 1893, became sole proprietor of the business, which he successfully conducted until 1907, when he sold out. Early in the following year he disposed of the handsome stone front block at the head of Front street, which he had erected in 1895 and in which he conducted his business and on the site of which his father before him had been in active business since the Civil war. This building occupies the site of Mr. Johnson's birth and is now the elegant home of the Yocum Bank. As before stated he has continuously held the office of notary public since 1893 — a fact which stands in incontrovertible evidence of his faithfulness and capability in the discharge of his duties, and with the exception of two years has been school treasurer since 1892. In 1908-9 he erected a handsome and modern office building on Main street at the north end of Exchange street, and the first floor of this he occupies as his office in connection with Judge A. E. Bergland. He has decided to devote his time and energies to the practice of law in the future and is now studying with that end in view.

On the nth of June,i89i, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Clara Louise Seely, a native of Galva, Illinois, and a daughter of Isaac B. and Ann E. (Whittemore) Seely, who were married in Galva, Illinois, January 11, 1857, and were the parents of five children, as follows: Joel W., born April 16, 1858, died March 13, 1859; Whitfield W., born October 10, 1866, died August 25, 1883; Mary E., born October 3, 1870; died January 9, 1876; Clara Louise, now Mrs., Johnson, was born March 25, 1872; and Edward Isaac, born January 15, 1876, was accidently drowned August 2, 1901. Mr. Seely was born in Orange county. New York, June 22, 1825, and came to Galva in 1856, where he conducted a drug business until his death, May 10, 1879. His ancestors for several generations back were residents of New York.

Ann E. (Whittemore) Seely was born February 10, 1838, at Enfield, Sullivan county. New Hampshire, and comes of Revolutionary stock, being a daughter of Joel Whittemore and Rachel Rebekah (Brown) Whittemore. Joel Whittemore died in 1855 and was a son of Peter Whittemore, who served in the Revolutionary war and was with Washington at Valley Forge. Rachel Rebekah (Brown) Whittemore died in Galva, Illinois, April 20, 1904, at the advanced age of ninety-two years, eight months and three days, having resided in Illinois since 185 1. She was born in Andover, New Hampshire, August 17, 181 1, and was a daughter of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Huntoon) Brown, and Jonathan Brown's father served as a recruiting officer at his own expense in the Revolution and the state of New Hampshire afterward gave him a portion of land to reimburse him. Mrs. Seely still resides in Galva and holds a high place in the hearts of its citizens.

Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are now the parents of five children: Amy S., born September 30, 1892; Alice H., born September 5, 1894; Whitfield W., born March 25, 1897; Marian R., born September 13, 1900; and Edward L., born November 4, 1902.

Politically Mr. Johnson is a stalwart advocate of the republican party and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to various positions of public trust. He acted as town clerk for several terms, was also a member of the board of education and of the city council, and is now serving as school treasurer. He belongs to Galva Lodge, No. 243, A. F. & A. M., of which he is a past master, and takes a keen interest in all things pertaining to Masonry throughout the state and has been active in the Grand Lodge of Illinois. For four years he was junior grand deacon, has been a grand lecturer since 1900, and is now a member of the board of grand examiners, composed of five members who teach the work, holding schools of instruction throughout the state. He is also a member of Kewanee Chapter, No. 47, R. A. M.; Kewanee Commandery No. 71, K. T.; and Mohammed Temple of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine of Peoria. Both he and his wife belong to the Eastern Star, being members of Galva Chapter, No. 57. Their religious faith is indicated by their membership in the Baptist church, in which Mr. Johnson is serving as trustee and treasurer, Mrs. Johnson as organist, while the two oldest daughters are members of the choir. His well spent life, characterized by all that is honorable in business and straightforward in his relation with his fellowmen, has brought him the uniform respect of all with whom he has come in contact.

As printed in History of Henry County, Illinois (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.