Hines, H. K. "An Illustrated History of the State of Oregon." Chicago: Lewis
Pub. Co. 1893.  p. 1123.
 
JOHN CHARLES JOHNSON

     a representative citizen of Marion county, Oregon, has been a resident of
the Pacific coast from childhood, and since arriving at mature years has been
prominently identified with the agricultural interests of this section.  He is a
native of Illinois, born May 29, 1842, and at the age of five years was brought
with his father's family across the plains to this State.  (See sketch of Hiram
A. Johnson). He received his education in the schools of Jefferson, and was
reared to the occupation of a farmer.  When he came of age his father gave him
160 acres of land; four years he devoted to the cultivation and improvement of
this tract, and then disposed of the farm.  He afterward purchased 900 acres of
land in Linn county, and after four years spent in placing this under
cultivation, he sold it and embarked in mercantile trade at Scio, Linn county.
     He formed a partnership with J. C. Brown, and they did a successful
business until 1890, when Mr. Johnson sold his interest, and came to Salem.  He
invested in city and country property, and engaged in real-estate transactions
on his own account.  He has been very fortunate in his operations, and has
become possessed of much valuable property.
     He was married in 1863 to Miss Violet Gunsaules, a native of Illinois, but
a resident of Oregon since 1853.  They have had born to them a family of seven
children, five of whom are living:  Lizzie, wife of John Daniel; Archie J., who
married Miss L. Young; Ettie A., wife of J. Simpson; Virgil and Leta at home.
     Mr. Johnson cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, and has
since been a member of the Republican party, doing active and efficient service;
he has been a delegate to many conventions, and while a citizen of Scio was
twice elected Mayor of that city.  In 1890 he was elected a member of the City
Council of Salem.   He is a member of the A.O.U.W. and of the Masonic
fraternity, belonging both to the blue lodge and chapter of the latter order.
He is a man of excellent business judgment and by energy and perseverance has
achieved success in all his undertakings.
     
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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in September 2006 by Diana Smith.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.