Siskiyou County
Biographies
CHARLES E. JOHNSON
Charles
E. Johnson, one of California’s loyal sons, is accorded a place of prominence
in legal circles of Yreka and for seven years has occupied the office of
district attorney, establishing an enviable reputation as a public
servant. He was born in Yolo County,
December 3, 1872, of the marriage of L. A. and Ruth (Coleman) Johnson, whose
family numbered four children, three of whom are now living. The father, who was a native of Sweden, left
that country in his youth, having determined to seek the countless
opportunities for advancement offered in the United States, and became well
known as an architect. Early in the ‘70s
he settled in California and spent the remainder of his life in the Golden
State.
Reared
in his native county, Charles E. Johnson pursued his education in the grammar
and high schools of Woodland, afterward following various lines of
business. During this time he devoted
his leisure hours to the study of law, later working for various attorneys and
thus gaining the knowledge which enabled him to pass the state bar examination
in 1910, and he is qualified to practice in the federal courts and also before
both the United States and state commerce commissions. Following his admission to the bar Mr.
Johnson located for practice in Yreka but has lived in Siskiyou County since,
1900, when he began work as a barber.
After entering upon his career as an attorney he was called to the
office of justice of peace, thus serving from 1910 until 1923, also continuing
his law practice during that time. In
1922 he was the popular choice for district attorney and took office in
1923. The wisdom of this election soon
became apparent to his fellow citizens, who have retained him in the office to
the present time, and no better testimonial of his worth could be given than
the fact that he was re-elected in 1930 without opposition for another term of
four years. While he practices to some
extent, his duties as a county official occupy the major part of his time and
in this connection he has capably handled many important cases, displaying an
unusual capacity for the work of a public prosecutor but never resorting to
methods of persecution for the sake of establishing a record of convictions. On the contrary, if he believes in the
innocence of the person arraigned before the bar of justice, he will dismiss
the case, and this probably accounts for his popularity. In all of his court dealings he is honest, fearless
and broad-minded and it is said by his many friends that he conducts all of his
cases along ethical lines. He has never
resorted to petty vindictiveness in order to gain personal glory, at all times
dealing justly and fairly with his fellowmen, and it is the firm belief of his
clients and friends that he will climb to great heights in his profession.
In
1900 Mr. Johnson was married to Miss Myrtle Gill, a daughter of Dr. B. M. Gill,
now deceased, who was a railroad physician at Dunsmuir, California. Their two children are: Helen G., a teacher in the public schools of
Sacramento, and Waldo L., who was graduated from high school in 1929. Mr. Johnson gives his political support to
the Republican Party. He belongs to the
Lions Club of Yreka, and his fraternal affiliations are with Ashland Lodge, No.
944, B. P. O. E., Yreka Lodge, K. P., and Yreka Aerie, F. O. E. For recreation he turns to outdoor sports,
enjoying golf, hunting and fishing, but never neglects his work. He has a high conception of duty and honor
and throughout his legal career has followed a course which reflects credit
upon his profession.
Transcribed by
Gerald Iaquinta.
Source:
Wooldridge, J. W. Major, History of
Sacramento Valley California, Vol. 2 Pages 298-301. Pioneer Historical
Publishing Co. Chicago 1931.
© 2010 Gerald Iaquinta.
Golden
Nugget Library's Siskiyou County Biographies