Page 140 - PGM Compendium

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ Charles W. Johnson

1962-1963

Of hearty Scandinavian stock – his father a Norwegian, his
mother, a Swede – Most Worshipful Brother Charles W. Johnson,
was born on January 16, 1890 in Tacoma. "Charlie", as Most
Worshipful Brother Johnson was most frequently addressed, grew
up at a time when the City of Tacoma was likewise "growing up".
After he had graduated from the Stadium High School, he passed
a civil service examination which qualified him for employment
as a stenographer and secretary. Shortly thereafter, he was ordered
to report for work in the Government Land Ofice in Waterville,
The experiences he previously had, and the friendships he
established in Waterville, had a profound influence on the future of this ambitious young man.

Life and living had been on the rugged side the most part of his life and he was determined to do
something with his future. One friendship he acquired was that of James O'Sullivan, a Waterville
attorney who frequently came into the Government Land Office, He took a liking to Charlie, and
from time to time, he kept encouraging him to go back to school and acquire a Degree in Law.
Other acquaintances who added inspiration to Charlie's life were Rufus Woods, editor of the
Wenatchee newspaper, and, Gale Matthews (Grand Master during the year 1939-40), who operated
a title company out of Ephrata.

Through the influence of Gale Matthews and others, Charlie became interested in Masonry,
Shortly after he passed his twenty-first birthday he petitioned Badger Mountain Lodge No. 57 for
the Degrees of Masonry. His petition was accepted and he became a Master Mason on April 24,
1911.

Thereafter, Brother Charlie followed the advice of O'Sullivan and he enrolled in the University of
Michigan Law School. With his Degree in Law tucked in his bag, Charlie returned to his native
City of Tacoma "to hang out his shingle". As time went by his two sons. Brooks and Charles,
joined him in that practice and at the time of his death all three were practicing together.

After his return to Tacoma, Charlie wanted to participate in things Masonic, and the only way this
could be done was to become affiliated with one of the local Lodges. He therefore dimitted from
Badger Mountain Lodge No. 57, and he was admitted to membership in Lebanon Lodge No. 104
From that point on he wasted no time in becoming active in the Lodge of his choice, being installed
as Worshipful Master for the 1920 term. In 1921, he was elected and installed as the Lodge
Secretary, an office he held until the end of 1949,

Although Brother Charlie was busy in his practice of Law, and in the affairs of his Lodge, he found
time to head up all four Bodies of the Scottish Rite, being coroneted a 33° Scottish Rite Mason in