Page 135 - 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 1947; became
Worthy Patron of Cedar Chapter No. 173, O, E. S.; High Priest of his Royal Arch Chapter; Sovereign of

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