Archive Record

Metadata

Title

William C. Johnson papers

Collection

ADKX Library: Manuscript Collection

Object Name

Manuscript

Scope & Content

Collection of artifacts belonging to the Johnson and Bobak families of Tupper Lake. The bulk of the collection documents the life of William Chester Johnson, Jr., and includes his school records, materials he collected while serving in World War II, and licenses, membership and certifications pulled from his wallet.

Call Number

MS 19-009

Catalog Number

2013.030.0157

Creator

Johnson, William C.

Year Range from

1907

Year Range to

2013

Extent of Description

5 folders, 1 plaque

Admin/Biographical History

William Chester "Chet" Johnson, Sr. (April 23, 1896 - ?), born in Clinton, NY to Rev. Fenton W. Johnson and Florence Bailey Johnson. Served in the US Navy from 1917 to 1919. Married Ellen Knapp (April 6, 1906 - ?) Christmas Eve 1919. Lived in Tupper Lake except for three years they spent in Florida from 1923-26. They had seven children Bill Jr., Mary Ellen, Stanley. He worked as a carpenter.

William Chester Johnson, Jr. (April 4, 1924 - ?), born in St. Petersburg, Fl but raised and attended school in Tupper Lake, NY. Entered the Armed Forces in December 1942 and served in WWII from 1943-1946 in the South Pacific. Upon returning to the Adirondacks be attended Clarkson College of Technology, in Civil and Environmental Engineering in Potsdam, NY. While at Clarkson he met his first wife, Jean M. Schutt (September 8, 1929 - March 1954). The couple settled in Tupper Lake and were married in 1950. Bill worked with his father and brother Stanley in the family's general contracting business, Wm. C. Johnson & Sons. They had two children, Martha. She died in March 1954. Bill met his second wife, Jane Bobak at the office. They were married in 1955 and had three children. Bill managed the construction of the Adirondack Museum from 1955 to 1982 when he retired.

Jane Olga Bobak (March 15, 1934 - ?), to John and Sylvia Bobak. Eventually moved to Cedar Rock Lodge with family, caretakers for Dr. Browning.

Notes

Folder 1: Memorabilia, 1907 - c.1960
- Gillette Murder Trial and Grace Brown's Love Letters, published by Charles E. Garlock, Herkimer, NY, 1907. 76 pages
- Breakfast at Brennans, New Orleans [menu], c. 1960
- 2 Adirondack Museum brochures, c. 1960

Folder 2: Education, 1931 - 1996
- Tupper Lake public schools report cards for William C. Johnson, 1931 - 1934, 1937 - 1940.
- Tupper Lake High School school emblem certificate, 1939.
- Tupper Lake High School diploma for William C. Johnson, 1942.
- letter from William C. Johnson to Senator Ronald B. Stafford regarding first aid training for public school coaches, 1976.
- certificate from the Adirondack Educational Center for 22 years of service, 1996.

Folder 3: Licenses, memberships and certifications
Documents contained in 3 wallets owned by William C. Johnson

Folder 4: Military materials
- Breakfast meal card, no date.
- "Domain of the Golden Dragon" certificate, 1944.
- "Your Victory Garden Work Sheets", Beech-nut Packing Company, Canajoharie, N.Y., c. 1944. approximately 30 pages.
- Christmas Day Dinner [menu], 1944. 2 copies, one with annotation "U.S.S. Olmstead P.A. 188"
- Army Service Forces decoration form, c. 1945
- "Golden Gater" newsletter. 3 editions from December 1945.
- "Your Christmas Holiday Program", December 24, 1945.

Folder 5: Stationery
Stationery from William C. Johnson & Sons, Inc. General Contractors - Building Supply Dealers, no date.

Unfoldered Plaque:
- Certificate of appreciation awarded to William C. Johnson, Jr. from the Board of Cooperative Educational Services of Franklin-Essex-Hamilton Counties, 1996.

Access Conditions

Access to this collection is unrestricted

Copyrights

Fair use copy permitted for research, study, or investigational purposes citing the Adirondack Experience. Any other use requires written permission.

Preferred Citation: William C. Johnson papers, MS 19-009, Adirondack Experience Library, Blue Mountain Lake, NY

Credit line

Gift of Sandra Johnson Olsen in memory of W. C. Johnson, Jr.