John Wesley Johnson (1873 - 1966)

Born 7 Aug 1873 in Greenfield, Colchester County, Nova Scotia, Canada

Ancestors

Died 4 Apr 1966 at age 92 in Leominster, Massachusetts, USA

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Biography

JOHN WESLEY JOHNSON was born on 7 August 1873, in Greenfield, Colchester County, Nova Scotia, Canada, to John W. Johnson and Albidina Johnson [Blair]. He was recorded in the census in 1881, aged about 7, in Salmon River, Colchester County, Nova Scotia. He was living with his parents on their farm. He was the fourth born child and he was attending school. In 1889, aged 17 years, he immigrated to the USA, as he declared on his USA Census records. This date of Immigration matches to his brother Robert W. Johnson. He married Harriet (Hattie) Josephine Chamberlain in 1899, in Leminister, Massachusetts. Hattie was from Clinton Massachusetts from a prominent family. On the marraige register his occupation is listed as piano maker. They had their first son Wesley Chamberlain Johnson in 1902. On 17 November 1903, aged 30 years, he was naturalized in Fitchburg Mass. Police Court, as a US citizen. His address is recorded as 7 Gardiner St. Their son Everette Richmond Johnson was born on the 12th of August 1904. On the birth register, John claims he is a piano maker at the Sufet Piano Shop. Their daughter Evelynn M. in 1908 and their daughter Marion Everil Johnson on June 23rd, 1909. The baby Marion was not thriving and died at 2 months old. John was recorded in the census in 1910, aged about 36, in 7 Gardiner Place., Leminister, Worcester County, Massachusetts. This property is owned by Hattie's parents. They all live there, but there are several tenants in the building as well. It says he is working as a woodworker at (check ancestry for location). In 1914 he took a mason membership at the Wilder Lodge in Leminster. He was drafted into military enlitsment WWI on Sept 12th, 1918. The address listed for him is 287 Meriam Ave. He claims he was a salesman in the Citizens Wholesale Supply Company at that time. He was recorded in the census in 1920, aged about 46, in Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. They are renting their home at 287 Miriam Ave. He is an insurance agent and his son Wesley is a florist. The other two children are attending school. Two years later they had their youngest daughter, Ruth C. Johnson. He was recorded in the census in 1930, aged about 56, in 190 Lowe St, Leminister, Worcester County, Massachusetts. Here he is living with his wife Hattie and his daughter Ruth who is 8 yrs old. He owns his house, and it is valued at $4000. He is working as a milk delivery man. This is the year that his father in law Charles died. John is cited as son-in-law in the newspaper obituary. John was recorded in the census in 1940, aged about 66, in 200 Lowe St., Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. He and his wife are living with their daughter Ruth, also their son Wesley and Wesley's daughter Alenne have moved in with them. Both he and his son are working as florists in a greenhouse that they own. In the city directory, they have their business listed over several years as 'J W JOHNSON AND SON FLORISTS'. I happened to notice that John's aunt Minnie Lucretia Lowe who also lives in Leminster, lists herself as a florist in the same census. Perhaps she was working for him. John's daughter Evelynn lives right next door with her young family at their old address 190 Lowe St. There is an article in their local newspaper, The Fitzburg Centinel, dated October 15th, 1949. The article is titled "Couple to Mark Golden Anniversary", it is all about John Wesley Johnson, his wife and their family. His son Everette died in 1957 and John was widowed the very next year in 1958 when his wife died. He was a man of many skills. Pianomaker, Woodworker, Salesman, Insurance agent, Chaffeur, and Florist. John died on 4 April 1966, aged 92. John was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Leominster, Massachusetts, beside his son Everette and his wife Hattie. The following information is also recorded for John. Religion: Wesleyan Methodist.

This Branch Continues: -John Wesley Johnson married Harriet (Hattie) Josephine Chamberlain on 18 October, 1899 at 7 Gardiner Place, in Leominster Massachusetts with Rev. Ernest P. Herrick officiating. They had 5 children: -Wesley Chamberlain Johnson -Everett Richmond Johnson -Ruth C. Tucker (Johnson) -Marion Everil Johnson -Evelynn May Gage (Johnson)

Sources

• -Canada Census Record 1881

-USA Census record 1930

-His marraige register to Hattie J. Chamberlain

-His registration into WW2

-He is cited as brother in the obituary of Oressa Blanche Johnson

-He is cited as father on the birth registration and birth index of Everett Richmond Johnson

-He is cited as father on the birth registration of Wesley Chamberlain Johnson

-He is cited as father on the birth register of Evelynn May Johnson

-He is cited as father on the birth registration of Marion Everil Johnson

-He is cited as father on the death certificate of Marion Everil Johnson

-Mason Membership Card Massachusetts

-He is cited as son in law in the obituary of Charles Chamberlain

-Newspaper article in the Fitchburg Sentinel titled "Couple to Mark Golden Wedding" dated October 15th, 1949.

-Boston Massachusetts City Directory for the years 1925, 1926, 1929, 1930, 1931, 1932, 1933, 1936, 1938, 1943, 1944, 1947, 1950, 1952.