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 the Red Cross of Constantine, and Illustrious Potentate of AfifiShrine.
Possessing such a wealth of experience and kindly understanding, it was quite logical that his brethren would think of him as a Brother who was eminently qualified to someday occupy the office of Grand Master. After serving on the Grand Lodge Committee on Finance for a time, he was elected Junior Grand Warden at the 1959 Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge. At succeeding Annual Communications, he was advanced through the various elective offices. On September 11, 1961, while serving as Deputy Grand Master, he was presented his 50 Year Award. In June 1962 he reached the zenith of his Masonic career by being installed as Grand Master.
Outside of Freemasonry, our Most Worshipful Brother was an award winning rose culturist. After moving to a residence that was somewhat shaded, he switched his gardening to the propagation of rhododendrons and azaleas. From his experiments he developed a number of elegant new blooms. In addition to being an expert gardener, he was also a professional candy maker, and an avid fisherman.
Most Worshipful Brother Charliedeparted for that "House not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens" on November 2, 1978.