The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 51 LAWRENCE E. JOHNSON. Among the financiers of the Yakima valley none enjoys a higher reputation than Lawrence E. Johnson, president of the First National Bank, to which office he was called in 1908. The rapid growth of this institution is largely due to the business foresight, natural ability and unfailing watchfulness of its president, who gives most of his time to the interests of this enterprise. Mr. Johnson was born in Greene county, Illinois, February 6, 1877, a son of Lee . and Margaret (Search) Johnson, who went to Oregon in 1883, locating in Albany, and in 1885 removed to Sherman county, that state, where the father engaged in farming. In 1889 he entered the Methodist ministry and was in Spokane in 1890, whence he was transferred to Waitsburg in 1893. Desiring to better fit himself for the work, he then attended the Northwestern University at Evanston, Illinois. there taking a three years' course. He later served as pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church in Walla Walla for several years, after which he retired from holy orders and moved to Sunnyside in 1902, engaging in the hardware business there until 1912, when he proceeded to Portland, Oregon, where death claimed him on January 5, 1914. His widow survives and resides at Sunnyside. Lee A. Johnson was one of the most prominent men in the development of the Yakima valley, which greatly benefited through his stimulating activities. For several terms he represented his district in the state legislature, always ably representing his constituency in the halls of legislation and securing for them those measures which he considered of greatest value. He was a candidate for congress but was not successful. For many years he was a regent of Pullman College and was acting in that capacity at the time of his death, the cause of education finding in him a warm champion. In financial circles he was equally well known, being the organizer of the First National Bank of Sunnyside, of which he was the first president, and he also served as vice-president of the Scandinavian Bank of Portland, Oregon. He was a forceful and resourceful man of unabating energy, extraordinary foresight and one who always achieved what he set out to do, yet he was a man of kind heart who was ever ready to help a struggling traveler on life's journey and assist those less fortunate than himself, contributing liberally to charitable and benevolent purposes, and his memory will long live among the people of the valley. His son, Lawrence E. Johnson grew up among the refining influences of a Christian home and in the acouirement of an education attended the public schools of Albany, Oregon, and Spokane, Washington. Desiring to better his opportunities in practical life, he then entered the Spokane Business College, from which he was graduated. Fully prepared to take up the arduous burden of making a living, he then secured a position in the First National Bank of Waitsburg, with which he remained for four years, from 1894 to 1898, thus thoroughly acquainting himself with banking methods and practices. His next position was with the Moro Mercantile Company at Moro, Oregon. where he again made use of all opportunities to learn the details of that line of business, at the end of which time he became assistant cashier and later cashier of the Merchants Bank at Waitsburg. In 1903 he went to Sunnyside as cashier of the Sunnyside Bank but sold his interest in that institution in 1905. His next position was with the First National Bank of Ritzville, Washington. of which he was for a short time cashier and which was sold the same year. In August. 1905. Mr. Johnson came to Kennewick, connecting himself with the Exchange Bank at that time. This bank was established in 1903 by Howard S. Amon as a private bank and it was the first institution of its kind in Kennewick. In 1905, upon his arrival in this city. Mr. Johnson acquired the interest of Howard S. Amon and he and W. R. Amon became the owners. In December, 1907, however, the First National Bank was organized as successor to the Exchange Bank and its first officers were: W. R. Amon, president: and L. E. Johnson, cashier, our subject having succeeded C. F. Breighthaupt as cashier of the Exchange Bank. In 1908 W. R. Amon disposed of most of his stock to Mr. Johnson and others, and L. E. Johnson was then elected president of the institution, J. L. Johnson becoming cashier at that time. In 1918, however. E. C. Tweet succeeded him. T. M. Fine has been vicepresident since 1908. The present bank building, which was erected in 1908, is thoroughly modern in every respect and adequate to the needs of the institution. It has large, well protected vaults and the counting rooms are nicely furnished and conveniently arranged for the customers. The growth of the institution may be gleaned from the fact that the first capitalization of the Exchange Bank was ten thousand dollars. When it was nationalized this stock was raised to the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars and in 1910 the capital was increased to fifty thousand dollars. The resources of this highly reliable banking enterprise are now over six hundred thousand dollars and its deposits exceed five hundred thousand dollars. As the head of the institution Mr. Johnson is proving a banker of eminent qualities, watchful in every way of the interests of stockholders and depositors alike. While he follows conservative methods as regards the investments of the bank, he is ever ready to extend the credit of the institution to those who are able to furnish good reason for such and ample security in order to help hem in heir business or facilitate farming enterprises. He is considered one of the financial leaders of the Yakima valley and his advice is frequently sought in regard to investments in real estate, stocks, bonds and other securities. He does not stand aloof but comes in contact with anyone who desires to see him, ever willing to render his valuable services when asked. In building up this institution Mr. Johnson has not only built for himself but has greatly contributed toward the development of his section, as it is well recognized that a strong financial enterprise is one of the mainsays in growth and prosperity. In 1900 Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Ada Fine, a daughter of T. M. Fine, of Walla Walla, and to them have been born three sons: Ward, who is sixteen years old; Lawrence Glenn, aged fourteen; and Robert Lee, one and a half years old. In fraternal circles Mr. Johnson is well known as a member of Kennewick Lodge No. 153, F. & A. M., of which he has served as master, while his religious faith is that of the Methodist church. His wife is a member of the Episcopal church. In his political views he is a republican and has long been a dominant factor in the councils of his party. In 1907 his fellow citizens elected him to the highest position within their power, that of mayor, and he served for two terms in that position. His administrations were fraught with progressive measures and movements, many of which were originated by him and which have been of the greatest benefit. It would take some time to enumerate the manifold public and semi-public duties and offices with which Mr. Johnson has been connected but among them may be mentioned that he is a past president of the Kennewick Commercial Club, in which he has always taken a great interest and which organization has accomplished much by reason of his initiative. He is a director of the Columbia Irrigation District and is also president of the White Bluffs Bank. He has always cooperated in all efforts undertaken for the benefit and improvement of the valley, his county and city, of which he has become one of the most prominent business men and financiers. He is greatly admired for his sterling qualities of character and the high morale which underlies all his business transactions. His friends in Kennewick are many and he is regarded by them as an example of true American manhood. He is a patriotic American in the best sense of the word and has built not only for himself but for those who honor him as a valued citizen. ******************************** Submitted to the Washington Bios Project in December 2007 by Jeffrey L. Elmer. Submitter has no additional information about the subject of this article.