Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

ilda, who died some years after her mar-
Elmira, now deceased, who became
riage ;
the wife of James Madison Herring; Cor-
nelius, of Brooklyn, New York; and
Henry, also of Brooklyn, New York. The
family were members of the Methodist
Episcopal church.
(IV) Edgar Johnson, eldest child of
Henry and Julia (Springsteen) Johnson,
was born in New York City, September
29, 1849. Left fatherless at an early age,
he spent much of his childhood on the old
homestead. There he received a practical
education, attending the public schools
of Mechanicsville until he was thirteen
or fourteen years of age. Being the eld-
est of five children, and realizing that the
future depended largely on his own ef-
forts, he went to Brooklyn, New York,
when he was about fifteen, and learned
the trade of carpenter. During all his
life he has been closely identified in one
way or another with the building busi-
ness. Naturally farsighted and an ex-
cellent judge of conditions, he has been
a significant factor in the rapid development
of Stamford in recent years from
the small, quiet village to the thriving,
busy city. He first came to Stamford in
1884, as foreman for a New York concern
to take charge of the construction of a
dwelling house. He liked the location, and
liked the people with whom he became
acquainted, and he believed that the town
faced a future of more than ordinary busi-
ness and social importance. When the
building upon which he was working was
finally completed, he was induced to accept
a position with the St. John Wood-
Working Company, and became a resi-
dent of Stamford. He continued with
that company until 1896, during the last
several years of which period he was gen-
eral manager.
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
137
Possessed in no small degree of that
initiative and business acumen which
count so far toward success, he severed
his connection with the St. John Wood-
Working Company, and established him-
self in business. He chose the line of
brokerage, handling all kinds of building
materials. The business has grown to
large proportions, reaching well outside
the immediate vicinity. It covers all of
Western Connecticut and Eastern New
York, and Mr. Johnson's office is one of
the busiest places in Stamford. In political
affiliation Mr. Johnson is a Repub-
lican, and in all matters pertaining to the
public welfare he is constantly placing
his keen business ability at the disposal
of the community, joining wholeheartedly
in every movement for progress. In 1896
and 1897 he served as councilman, and he
has also served on the street committee.
He is a member of Union Lodge, No. 5,
Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.
Mr. Johnson married Isabella Hallock,
daughter of Samuel M. Hallock, of Brook-
lyn, New York. There have been eight
children born of this union, five of whom
are now living: 1. Sylvia, who became
the wife of Caswell Travis, and has two
children, Pearl and Violet ; they reside
in Silver Springs, New York. 2. James
Madison, of Newark, New Jersey. 3.
Judd Edgar, now in the service of the
United States navy. 4. Elsie H., who
became the wife of Pierre Bonteceu, and
has two children, Kenneth and Sylvia. 5.
Ideson B., who was in the aerial branch
of the service during the World War ; was
in France one year ;
enlisted from Oberlin
College, and returned there after the close
of the war. Mrs. Johnson died in 1912, at
the age of fifty-nine years. Mr. Johnson
has been a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church for many years, as was
also his wife.