1921 Duluth & St Louis County MN, Van Brunt.pdf - Garon.us

818 DULUTH AND ST. LOUIS COUNTY
the Knights of Columbus, the Royal Arcanum and of other organizations
and clubs. He is also a member of the American Mining Congress and
the Mining Institute. Although modest and unassuming, Mr. Donahue
possesses a strong and vigorous personality, and in the best sense of the
term is fitted as a leader of men and well fitted to manage important
enterprises.
Edward C. A. Johnson, former mayor of Virginia and for many
years practically engaged in many phases of civic development, of which
the citizens feel justly proud, is a native of the kingdom of Norway, born
there February 1, 1880, but has been a resident of this part of Minnesota
for more than thirty years.
Mr. Johnson is a son of Johan O. and Christina M. (Sather) Johnson,
who immigrated to this country in 1891, among other reasons to
give their children better opportunities than were available in the old
country. Some few years prior to 1891 the father came on a tour of
inspection to the United States, to look over the situation generally before
bringing his family. Johan O. Johnson had been operating a bakery and
confectionery store in Norway. He returned to that country in 1891,
and on again coming to the United States, brought the entire family
back with him to the United States, on arrival here going on out to
Minnesota and locating at Duluth. He was employed for a time at the
Scandinavian Bakery in the West End, but in 1892 moved to West Superior.
Later on he lived and proved up on a homestead at Iron Junction,
but eventually moved to Virginia, where he now resides. The elder
Mr. Johnson has never had any reason to look backward, having been
successful in his undertakings from the very beginning.
Edward C. A. Johnson, when twelve years old, accompanied his
parents from Norway. He learned the baker's trade while working with
nis father and continued thus engaged until the premises were burned
out in the great fire of 1900. After that disaster had been overcome he
started a bakery on his own account in Virginia, and has continued in
the bakery business ever since, extending the scope of his trade with the
passing years and now enjoying a large connection.
When a young man Mr. Johnson became interested in the work of
the Virginia volunteer fire department and served as a volunteer throughout
the disastrous fire of 1900, and at the age of twenty-two had become
the chief of the Virginia fire department. He realized that after the
serious losses involved by the general fires of 1900 Virginia was sorely
in need of fire protection. This view created two factions. Mr. Johnson,
in view of his public worth as a citizen, was induced to run for the
office of alderman in 1912. He had the singular experience of being
nominated by one faction, endorsed by the opposing faction, and elected
without opposition. He was subsequently re-elected to the same office
for two succeeding terms. During his first term he was an earnest advo-
cate of public paving, and he has never ceased being keenly interested in
and an active supporter of all civic improvements. He was appointed
on the commission that adopted the first charter, and upon its adoption
was appointed a member of the first police and fire commission.
In 1918 the citizens of Virginia further honored Mr. Johnson by
electing him mayor of the city, and he served the public in this repre-
sentative capacity for two years—the period covered by the participation
of the United States in the World war. During his administration the
maintenance of order in a community largely composed of cosmopolitans
occupied much of his time. A market place, which had been under
consideration for many years, was established, enabling the producers