Click here to visit the Johnson family obits
Frances Mary Johnson and Howard A. Watkinson
The Johnson family began their careers in Seaforth, Ontario. It was there that Samuel F Johnson began a hardware store with his brothers (half brothers, if you must) David Willett Johnson and Edwin Johnson. The building was owned by Hickson & co, and the Johnson brothers were their first tenents. The Johnson brother's used the basement, main floor and most of the upper flat. In 1875 their assessed value was $6400.
The store propered. By 1880, Samuel and Edwin moved out to Brandon, Manitoba where another younger brother James Loring Johnson already resided. There they set up another Johnson Hardware, run by Edwin. Samuel continued to keep an interest in the Seaforth location. The new store also prospered to the point Edwin became a prominent citizen of Brandon: Former Johnson House
(Brandon, MB, Canada) June 7, 2002
Municipal Heritage Site - February 2002
446 - 7th Street
Built 1906
Construction of this residence was started in 1904 and completed in 1906. The house and lands were owned and occupied by Edwin H. Johnson and his family for the next 72 years until 1978. Mr. Johnson, a hardware merchant, was the owner of Johnson Hardware, built in 1885, which was located on the south east corner of Ninth Street and Rosser Avenue and remained in operation until 1959.
The residential structure was build by C. Lillington and designed by notable Brandon architect W. A. Elliot. The home incorporates the designs of the Queen Anne Revival style of architecture. It features a large veranda with classic columns, patterned shingles on the verandah foundation, several bay windows, a bulls- eye window, a stained glass "piano" window, and classic pediments over the windows on the north and south elevations. Windows feature rectangular, segmented and brick semi-elliptical arches and stone sills. The existing front exterior door is original to the house and is of a raised panel style with horizontal panels topped with a leaded glass window. The interior foyer door is similar in style with a leaded glass window incorporating a fleur-de-lis and a diamond pattern. Much of the original interior woodwork has also been retained on the main floor.
From the Manitoba Daily Free Press
3 Feb 1891
Mr. and Mrs. S.F. Johnston left yesterday to spend the rest of the winter in California.
21 April 1892
S.F.Johnston is retiring from business in Brandon, and expects to leave shortly to take up his residence in California. Ed Johnson, formerly of Winnipeg, takes over the business here.
Postcard of Main Street, Seaforth Ontario.
Circa 1910, courtesy of the Toronto Public Library.
Johnson's Hardware Store, Brandon, Manitoba.
Image taken looking south at 9th Street and Rosser Ave. McDonald's clothing store and Johnson's hardware store on SE corner.
Duncan C Johnson 1864-1 Feb 1906
This picture of Duncan was taken by the famous Carruther's Studio of San Jose, Cal. W.J. Carruther's owned and operated his studio from 1896-1909. Info on the studio courtesy of David Cann who was nice enough to go to the San Jose Public library and research the city directories for me.
Duncan moved to California to work with the Huntington, Hopkins & Co Hardware Firm. Click here to learn more about this company.
Duncan was the grandson of the famous Captain Robert Wilson. Click here to read more about Captain Wilson and view his picture.
Andrew Y McLean
James Johnson, a native of Seaforth, Ontario, came west with a survey party in 1884. During the winter of 1886-1887 he worked with Phil Weinard in the Big Lake area, Alberta. From 1887 to 1902 he worked for Hull's 25 ranch, the Oxley ranch and ran his own L4L ranch on Willow Creek, Alberta. In 1902 he and his wife Mildred moved to the Crowsnest Pass, Alberta, where he worked for Malcolm Innis, a butcher. After operating the Astoria Hotel in High River, Alberta, for a few years, he returned to his ranch. During World War I he served with the Canadian Engineers, upon his discharge he became a brand inspector in Calgary, Alberta.
Samuel's daughters-Frances and Nora Johnson. Nora (the younger one) is my grandmother.
An ad from the Manitoba Daily Free Press
From the Manitoba Daily Free Press
26 March 1885
The well known hardware firm of S.F. Johnson & Co, of this city, has been dissolved, the senior member retiring. The new firm will be Geo. D. Wood & Co. Mr. Wood has been connected with the original firm from the time of starting in Winnipeg. Mr. Johnston's future plans are not yet settled, but the many friends he has made here, will hope he will remain. The new firm will undoubtedly retain the popularity and business of their predecessors.
From the Manitoba Daily Free Press
2 May 1892
Ex Mayor J.L. Johnson left this morning for Brandon, where in future he will reside, and, in company with his brother, will engage in the hardware business. Mr. Johnson's removal from Prince Albert will be generally regretted. He has for many years been a prominent and successful business man of this northern burg, and has been a leader in musical circles so such an extent that entertainments at which his rich bass voice was not heard were rare indeed. In other circles, whist, curling, rifle practice, ect., he will be much missed also. Last year Mr. Johnson filled the responsible position of mayor of Prince Albert, and with such an acceptance to its citizens that, had he so desired, another term would have been cheerfully been given him. Mrs. Johnson and family, who will follow in a few weeks, will be also very much missed by Prince Albert society.