William Augustus Johnson.—The gentleman for whom this biography is prepared is one of the many sturdy sons of New England who have contributed so liberally to the moral and material well being of the great northwest. He was born in the town of Ashby, Mass., December 20, 1859, the son of Augustus W. and Georgianna Johnson, both natives of the same state. The elder Johnson was a farmer and died at the place of his birth at the early age of twenty-four years. His wife, whose family name was Page, subsequently married Henry S. Wright, an accomplished musician of Massachusetts, by whom she had one son, Ed Wright, who at this time is one of the most distinguished musicians of Boston. She died at the age of forty-six from the effects of injuries received in a runaway.

The early life of the subject was spent on the old Johnson homestead, Ashby, Mass., where for many years his ancestors had resided, after the death of his father, which occurred when William was but six months old, he was taken by his paternal grandparents, with whom he remained until the age of seventeen years. He then found employment in a hotel in his native town, and after two years thus spent began working in a chair factory in the same place, continuing the latter for a period of three years. Severing his connection with the factory, Mr. Johnson, in company with three young companions of Ashby, started for Los Angeles, Cal., and on the journey thither reached Grand Rapids, Mich. Being pleased with the city he concluded to discontinue further his western trip, and within a short time he became salesman in a second hand store, filling the position about two years. He then entered the employ of Messrs. Berkey & Gay, manufacturers of furniture, with whom he continued for about seven years, and spent a like period in the same line of work with Nelson & Matter, among the leading manufacturers of the city. In the month of August, 1893, Mr. Johnson established his present business, storing, moving, packing, shipping and expressing furniture, and since that time has built up a large and lucrative business. He runs two large moving vans, gives employment to three assistants and has ample facilities for all kinds of work in his line. His storage and ware rooms, located at No. 46 Bridge street, are large and commodious and are usually utilized to their utmost capacity.

Mr. Johnson was married in Grand Rapids on the 30^th day of March, 1892, to Miss Anna W. Phillips, daughter of John W. and Anna M. (Schermerhorn) Phillips, who were among the pioneer settlers of Kent county, moving from Canada many years ago, and settling in what is now the township of Walker. John W. and Anna M. Phillips had five children, two sons and three daughters, Mrs. Johnson being the youngest of the family. The others are Ella E., wife of John J. Deem; Charles H., dealer in spices, etc., in Grand Rapids, and a member of the city council from the seventh ward; Etta F., wife of D. P. Aldrich, engineer on the Chicago & Alton R. R., with home in this city; and Lewis C., an employee on the Chicago & West Michigan R. R. The father of these children a native of Canada, died on the 24^th of June, 1887, at the age of sixty-seven years. The mother, who was born in the state of New Jersey, is still living on the old homestead established by her husband in the early days of the county.

Mr. Johnson is a man of progressive ideas, takes an active interest nor only in his business, which has proved very successful, but also in all matters pertaining to the advancement of the city’s industrial growth. In politics he is a stanch republican, and fraternally a member of the Masonic, Elks and Maccabees orders; while not visibly identified with any church or religious organization, Mr. Johnson is nevertheless a believer in religion and exemplifies in his life its great fundamental and underlying principles.