Family of Charles Lewis Johnson & Rosena Smith
Charles Lewis Johnson was born 8 June 1836 in New Orleans, Louisiana and died 26 May 1910 at 6100 Howard Street, New Orleans, Louisiana. Burial was 27 May 1910 in Lafayette Cemetery #1, Johnson Family Tomb [Link to Photo]
Wife Rosena Smith was born 26 May 1838 in Brampton, Derbyshire, England (baptism was 15 June 1838 at Chesterfield) and died 23 May 1922 at 9 LaSalle Place, New Orleans, Louisiana. Burial was 24 May 1922 in Lafayette Cemetery #1, Johnson Family Tomb. They were married 19 August 1857 at the Rampart Street residence of the rector of Christchurch Cathedral, New Orleans, Louisiana. [Link to Photo]
Their children were:
1- Shirley B. Johnson b: 26 July 1858 in New Orleans, Louisiana; d: 7 July 1931 in New Orleans, Louisiana; burial: Lafayette Cemetery #1, Stearns Family Tomb
+Henry Daniel Stearns b: 6 June 1852 in Minnesota; m: 30 January 1877 in New Orleans, Louisiana; d: 12 June 1919 in Biloxi, Harrison, Mississippi; burial: 13 June 1919 Lafayette Cemetery #1, Stearns Family Tomb
Notes for Shirley B. Johnson:
- 15 June 1880 New Orleans, 85 Erato St.: Shirley 22 clerk in store, with husband Henry Stearns 28 clerk, living with her parents.
- 1890 city directory: Henry D. Stearns, Johnson Iron Works, Ltd - secretary and treasurer, res: 85 Erato
- 1891 city directory: Henry D. Stearns, The Johnson Iron Works, Ltd - secretary and treasurer, res. 174 Terpsichore
- 1900 New Orleans, 1615 Prytania (ED 5, p. 9A): Henry D. Stearns 47 (Jun 1852; MN) machinery dealer, wife of 23 years Shirley J. 41 (Jul 1858) [2 of 3 children still living], Ellis J. 17 (Jul 1882), Shirley 11 (Oct 1888); sister Laura S. 50 (Apr 1850; MN).
- 1910 New Orleans, 1417 Dufossat Street (ED 215, W13, p. 1A): Henry Sterns 58 (MN) iron works manager, wife of 32 years Shirly 51 [2 of 3 children still living], Shirly 22; sister Laura B. 60; widower Albert Smith 75 (Eng) lodger (Shirley's uncle).
- 1920 Biloxi, Harrison, Mississippi (ED41, W3, p. 14B): Widow Shirley J. Stearns 61 [owns house/no occupations], Shirley 28, sister-in-law Laura B. 69.
- 1930 New Orleans, 1209 Pine St. (ED 236, p. 18A): Widow Shirley Stearns 71 (LA-Eng-LA) [house value $10,000], Shirley 42 (LA-MN-LA).
2- Wilmer Holmes Johnson b: 14 June 1866 in New Orleans, Louisiana; d: 29 August 1924 in 1631 Octavia Street, New Orleans, Louisiana; burial was in Lafayette Cemetery #1, Johnson Family Tomb.
+Emily Carey Anderson b: October 1868 New Orleans, Loisiana; m: 19 April 1890 in New Orleans, Louisiana [--- Anderson/Emily Norris]; d: Aft. 1924
Notes for Wilmer Holmes Johnson:
- 1890 city directory: Wilmer H. Johnson, Johnson Iron Works, clerk, res. 85 Erato
- 1900 New Orleans, 919 Erato Street (ED 10, W2, p. 22B): Wilmer H. Johnson 33 (Jul 1866; LA-LA-Eng), machine shop, wife Emily A. 31 (Oct 1868; LA-Scot-PA), Althea L. 8 (Oct 1891), Dorothe 6 (Sep 1893); widowed grandmother Elmire Norris 75 (Dec 1824; PA-PA-PA)
- 1910 New Orleans, 6111 Howard St.: Wilmer H. Johnson 42 manufacturer, wife of 20 years Emily 38 [2 children]; Althea 18, Dorothy 16; cousin Flora Dupuis 15 (living next door to Lewis Johnson/Rosina Smith)
- 1915 N.O. city directory: Wilmer H. Johnson, sect. & treas. Johnson Iron Works, res. 11 Lasalle Place
- 1920 New Orleans, 582 Walnut Street (ED 246, W14, p. 6B): Wilmer H. Johnson 55, wife Emily A. 50 (LA-Scot-VA), Dorothea 26. (boarding house)
- Obituary, Times Picayune: JOHNSON - On Friday, August 29, 1924, at 6 o'clock p. m. WILMER H. JOHNSON, husband of Emily Anderson, a native of New Orleans. The funeral took place August 29, 1924.
3- Lew Johnson b: 7 February 1871 in house on Race Street, near Annunciation Street, New Orleans, Louisiana; d: 10 November 1958 at 7911 Birch Street, New Orleans, Louisiana; burial: Lafayette Cemetery #1, Johnson Family Tomb
+John Stephens Richardson b: 28 April 1871 in New Orleans, Louisiana; m: 7 November 1894 in New Orleans, Louisiana; d: 2 August 1921 at 1212 Seventh Street, New Orleans, Louisiana; burial: Metairie Cemetery, Richardson Family Tomb
Notes for Lew Johnson:
- Lew joined the United Daughters of the Confederacy, member #6098; Admitted to Stonewall Jackson #1135 in 1941 based on service of uncle, Albert Smith, Co. A, 5th LA Vol.:
" Albert Smith served four years in the War Between the States. Had three other brothers in the war. One who came direct from England and left the city in a few days with others to join Medical Corps called by Beauregard. Ran the blockade through Mulenberg and reached destination in time for Battle of Shilo.
Albert Smith's credentials bear the seal from 'Manassas to Appomatox' 1861-1865 Louisiana Division.
The association of the Army of Northern Virginia Louisiana Division: To all whom it may concern, we hereby declare that Albert Smith entered the military service of the Confederate States of America on the ninth day of June 1861 as a private in Co. A fifth Regiment Louisiana Volunteers was with Co. so battle of seven Rivers absent on sick leave for several months.
After second battle of Manassas until Battle of Sharpsburg where wounded and was again absent several months and rejoined Company until Battle of Winchester was again wounded and was retired by Medical Field Board at Petersburg Virginia in February 1865 and has been elected a member of Louisiana Division of the Association of the Army of Northern Virginia. And upon the proof of the above military record has been awarded this certificate. In testimony where we have set our hand and offered the seal of the association this eighth day of June 1901. Signed William A. Brewer President, L.A. Adams and J.S. Morton secretaries.
My mother Rosina Johnson was a member in life of Stonewall Jackson Chapter #1135 New Orleans, signed Sophie B. Wright President, Ada H. Johnson Registrar.
My uncle Albert Smith is buried in the tomb of the Army of Northern Virginia Metairie New Orleans."
- Member of The Orleans Club
4- Warren Johnson b: 5 December 1875 in New Orleans, Louisiana; d: 13 May 1953 in New Orleans, Louisiana; burial was in Lafayette Cemetery #1, Johnson Family Tomb.
+Elizabeth Merrick b. c1877; m: Abt. 1901 in Pointe Coupee, LA; d: 27 July 1903 (in childbirth); burial was in Lafayette Cemetery #1, Johnson Family Tomb. [Link to photo]
Notes for Warren Johnson:
- Designed and built the house at #9 Lasalle Place.
- 1910 New Orleans, 6109 Howard Street: Widower Warren Johnson 32 manufacturer & daughter Bessie M. 6, living with his parents.
- 1920 New Orleans, 9 Lasalle Place: Widower Warren Johnson 43 engineer/own office. His home included his widowed mother, sister and 2 nephews.
- 1930 New Orleans, 2025 St. Charles Avenue (hotel): Widower Warren Johnson 54 shipyard/construction engineer
- JOHNSON, Warren, Orleans Parish, Louisiana (Louisiana: Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), pp. 223-334. Edited by Alcée Fortier, Lit.D. Published in 1914, by Century Historical Association.): Johnson, Warren, consulting engineer, and one of the prominent figures in professional circles of his native city, was born in New Orleans, Dec. 5, 1875, the son of Lewis and Rosena (Smith) Johnson. The father was born in New Orleans in 1836; was for many years conspicuous in the industrial life of the city, was president of the Johnson Iron Works, president pro tem. of the sewerage and water board, and chairman of its executive committee from its inauguration until his death in 1910. He was also president of the Audubon Park board. Rosena Smith was born in Derbyshire, England, in 1839, and was married to Lewis Johnson in 1859. The following children were born to them: Shirley, wife of Henry D. Stearns, president of the Johnson Iron Works; Wilmer Holmes, secretary and treasurer of the Johnson Iron Works; Lew, now Mrs. Lew Johnson Richardson; Warren, the subject of this sketch; Eads, of New York City, and Rosena, who died in 1888, at 7 years of age. Mr. Warren Johnson was reared in New Orleans, and his first education was obtained at T. W. Dwyer's school, where he prepared for Tulane university. In 1896 he graduated from the architectural department of Tulane university, and going thence to Cornell university, at Ithaca, N. Y., he graduated from that institution in architectural engineering in 1897, and then spent 1 year in New York in engineering work, after which he returned to his New Orleans home, where he has since remained. Upon his return, he was made superintendent of the ship-building department of the Johnson Iron Works, ltd. In 1905, he opened an office as consulting engineer, and since then has acted in that capacity for the Johnson Iron Works and other companies. Mr. Johnson is a member of the following organizations: The Delta Tau Delta fraternity, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Louisiana Engineering society, Louisiana club, of which he is president; New Orleans, Chess, Checkers & Whist club, Audubon Golf club, Rigolets Fishing club, and is chairman of the Grounds Committee of the Audubon Park commission. In religion, he adheres to the principles of the Episcopal church, and is a member of the Annunciation congregation. He is a democrat in politics. Mr. Johnson was married in 1901 to Miss Elizabeth Merrick, daughter of Capt. David T. and Lulu (Dowdell) Merrick. In 1903 Mr. Johnson's wife died and left 1 daughter, Elizabeth, who is now (1913) 10 years old.
Notes for Elizabeth Merrick:
- Elizabeth was 1901 Mardi Gras Queen of Rex
5- Eads Johnson b: 23 June 1878 in New Orleans, Louisiana; d: August 1965 in Morristown, New Jersey; burial: New Vernon Cemetery, Morristown, New Jersey [Link to photo]
+Josephine Alice McClellan b: c1881 New Jersey; m: 20 April 1904; d: January 1918 in Wilmington, New Hanover, North Carolina (in the flu epidemic)
*2nd Wife of Eads Johnson:
+Ruth Stiles b: 24 August 1899 U.S. Embassy in Berlin, Germany; m: June 1921 in Wilmington, New Hanover, North Carolina; d: 1981 [Link to photo]
Notes for Eads Johnson:
- Graduated Cornell University as mechanical engineer in 1899, field was Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture. Office in N.Y. area was Eads Johnson, M.E., Inc., where they designed ships and provided professional marine related services over a period of 50 odd years. In 1918 Eads was running the Carolina Shipbuilding Co., building ships for WWI.
- 1900 Union, NJ: Eads Johnson (Sep 1875; LA) 24 draftsman, boarder
[Elizabeth, W6, p. 35, 268 Midland Ave.]
- 1910 Essex, NJ: Eads Johnson 31 (LA) sea co----ian council, wife Alice McClellan 25 (NJ) [mar. 6 yrs; no children], servant Anna Anderson
[Montclair, ED192, W1, p. 23]
- WW1 registration record: Eads Johnson, 7 Westover Rd., Montclair, Essex, NJ, age 40, born 23 June 1878, Carolina Shipbuilding Corp., shipbuilding, Wilmington, NC, rel: Josephine McClellan Johnson (she lives in NJ); tall/medium; blue/blonde; registrant is physically qualified (reg 9 Sep 1918)
- 1930 Morristown, Morris, NJ, p. 10A, 310 South St.: Eads Johnson 51 (N.O.-LA-Eng) [house value $25,000], naval architect, wife Ruth S. 30 (Ger-NY-WV), Eads Jr. 18 (NJ), Lewis 15 (NJ), Virginia F. 3 yr. 11 mos. (NJ), Mable L. Remick 47 (MI-Scot-Scot), servant/lodger (mar.), family governess, Miriam Holman 50 (SC-SC-SC), servant, widow, family maid
6- Rosena Keatings Johnson b: 26 November 1881 in New Orleans, LA; d: 22 February 1889 at 85 Erato St., New Orleans, LA (diphtheria); burial: Lafayette Cemetery #1, Johnson Family Tomb
Notes for Lewis Johnson:
- Lewis Johnson’s birth was reported on 6 October 1845 by Jacob Shultz, native of Prussia, age 39, residing between Elysian Fields & Marigny St., 3rd municipality.
- Owner & President Johnson Iron Works, Ltd. (begun 1864)
- Appointed to Sewerage and Water Board 13 September 1899; Chairman of Executive Committee 21 January 1901; President Pro Tem 10 March 1904
- Helped develop Audubon Park; President of Audubon Park Board Commission 1903-1910
- 1860 Natchitoches, Louisiana (p. 142, I146): Lewis Johnson 24 engineer, Rosina 21 (Eng), Shirley 2; James Ringgold 60 laborer (Maryland), Edward Nabral 30 laborer
- 1870 New Orleans (1st ward, p. 170, roll #519, 15 June 1870): Lewis Johnson 33 machinist [owns $5000 real estate], wife Rosina 31 (Eng), Shirley 12 at school, Wilmer 4; father-in-law Joseph Smith 75 (Eng) at home; domestic servant Catherine Hathaway 16.
- 17 February 1874 Petition from citizens of the town on Carrollton, feeling that they are "overburdened with taxation by our city government, humbly ask that Carrollton may be annexed to the city of New Orleans". Lewis Johnson's name appears.
- 15 June 1880 New Orleans, 85 Erato Street (ED 8, W2): Leuis Johnson 44 engineer (N.O.-?-?), wife Rosena 40 (Eng-N.O.-Eng), Stanley (Shirley) 22 clerk in store, Wilmer 14 at school, Leu 9, Warren 4, Eads 2, Henry Stearns 28 (Minn) boarder, clerk, Edwin Hubbel 10, boarder, at school; Margaret Heffins 27 (IRE), servant, Eddie Heffins 3, Lizzie Donahue 19, servant, Bridget Joyce 15 (AL), servant
- 1890 N.O. city directory: Lewis Johnson, Johnson Iron Works president, 85 Erato
- 1894 Book of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Louisiana: The Johnson Iron Works, Limited, situated on Julia Street, extending from Delta to Water, are among the largest of the kind in the South. They have a modern equipment and capacity for the employment of 100 hands in the various departments. At present seventy are employed upon marine work and general jobbing and repairing for steamboats, saw-mills, electric plants, printing houses, etc., and also upon railroad work. The facilities for boiler repair work here are especially good. These works were established in 1869. They were moved to their present site in 1872, and the company was incorporated in 1889. It has $40,000 capital, and does a business of about $100,000 a year. Lewis Johnson is its President, Henry D. Stearns, Secretary and Treasurer; W.H. Johnson, Cashier, and George Koffsky, Superintendent. Mr. Lewis Johnson is a native of New Orleans, and almost a life-long resident. He is a member of the Board of Trade and Chamber of Commerce, the Board of Audubon Park Commissioners, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Engineering Association of the South.
- 1900 New Orleans (ED 5, p. 13A): Lewis Johnson 65 (Jun 1834) foundry, wife of 43 years Rosina S. 62 (May 1838; Eng-Eng-Eng) [5 of 6 children still living], daughter Lew 29 (Feb 1871), & husband of 5 years John Richardson 29 (Apr 1871; LA-AL-VA) clerk RR office [3 of 3 children still living], Ethlyn 4 (May 1896), Johnson L. 2 (Jul 1897), John B. 5 months (Jan 1900); son Warren Johnson 24 (Dec 1875) clerk foundry office; servant/nurse Ida Florence 24 (Dec 1875).
- 1910 New Orleans, 6109 Howard Street: Lewis Johnson 72 foundry owner/retired, wife of 50 years Rosena 70 [5 of 6 children still living], dau Lew Richardson 37 [mar. 15 yrs.; 3 children], widowed son Warren Johnson 32 manufacturer, granddaughter Bessie M. 6.
- Soard's Elite Book 1890-1, 1898 & 1910: 85 Erato St., Lewis Johnson, Wilmer Johnson, Albert Smith & Henry Stearns
- City Directory 1915: Mrs. Lewis Johnson, 9 LaSalle Pl.
The JOHNSON IRON WORKS, Ltd., Office and Ship Yards, Patterson, Morgan and Seguin Sts., Algiers Phone: Algiers 491, P. O. Drawer 241, New Orleans; Henry D. Stearns, Pres., Wilmer H. Johnson, Sec. & Treas.
- [Times-Picayune: Monday, Oct. 2, 1916]: "To perpetuate the name and memory of a man who did much for New Orleans, a number of friends of the late Lewis Johnson have erected a memorial which has been placed in front of the purification plant of the Sewerage and Water Board. It is of solid granite, with a bronze tablet. Mr. Johnson was president of the Sewerage and Water Board, was president of the Audubon Park Commission, and was always in the front rank of those having at heart the uplift of the people and the upbuilding of the city."
- 1920 New Orleans, Lasalle Place (ED 247, W14, p. 18A): Warren Johnson 43 (widower), engineer - own office (LA-LA-Eng), Rosina Johnson 88 mother (widow) emmig. 1845 (Eng-Eng-Eng), Lew Richardson 46 daughter (widow) (LA-LA-Eng), Eads Johnson Jr. 8 nephew (NJ-LA-NJ), Lewis Johnson 5 nephew (NJ-LA-NJ), Lucy Allen 19 maid (B), Mary Alexander 38 cook (B)
- 27 May 1910 obituary of Lewis Johnson
- 28 May 1910 obituary of Lewis Johnson
- 13 October 1916 Memorial to Lewis Johnson
Parents of Charles Lewis Johnson
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Last updated: 20 February 2011.