My Genealogy Hound

C. J. JOHNSON, proprietor Joplin Boiler Works. He was born in Richmond, Va., Sept. 15, 1834. His father Johnnie Johnson, was born in Virginia, in 1810 and died in Dec, 1857. His mother, Mary (Sharp) Johnson, was also a native of the Old Dominion, born in 1805, died in Feb., 1861. When ten years of age, subject moved with his parents to St. Louis. Soon after he commenced to learn the trade of boiler maker with Mr. Cady, of the Femium Boiler Shops and continued with him about seven years, then worked for a half decade in the Rhone Machine and Boiler Works of St. Louis. He then crossed the plains to Colorado, and engaged in trading for a time. He returned to the states in the fall of 1859, and embarked in the grocery business at Galena, Ark. At the breaking out of the war he entered the Confederate service under Gen. Chetam, and served about eighteen months. He participated at Hollow Springs, Memphis, and Columbus, Tenn., and others of importance. Having served out the time for which he enlisted, he was discharged, and shortly after went to Cairo, Ill., where he engaged at his trade for a time. Subsequently he continued at his trade at Metropolis, Ill., Paducah, Ky., St. Louis, Mo., and Carondolet, or South St. Louis. In 1867 he went to Jackson county, Ill., and for six years engaged in smelting iron ore. He came to Joplin in Sept., 1878, and engaged in his present business. Mr. Johnson was married in Massac county, Ill., Oct. 8, 1863, to Miss Mary F., daughter of Joseph and Rena Vaughn, of that county. Mrs. Johnson was born Feb. 8, 1840. This union has been blessed with seven children: John, born May 30, 1865; Thomas, born June 3, 1867; George, born Aug. 28, 1869; Frankie, born July 2, 1872; Arthur, born Sept. 23, 1875, died in infancy; Clara born May 2, 1877; and Flossy, born Oct. 22, 1879. Mrs. Johnson is a member of the Baptist Church. [See Joplin boiler works, page 481.]