Johnson Place—a one-block long street extending from Twelfth to
Thirteenth Streets—was platted and laid out by E. H. Johnson, Fort Dodge
attorney, who also built this large brick residence.
The home at No. 5 Johnson Place was occupied by members of the Johnson
family from the time of its construction in 1920 until Mrs. Johnson’s
death in 1961. Since then it has been the home of Mrs. Dora Holman
Tellier, Mrs. Johnson’s companion for many years and a well-known former
Fort Dodge High School mathematics instructor. The house is now owned by
a son, Wallace Johnson of Berkeley, Calif.
Of brick construction with red tile roof, the home has two stories, full
basement and attic. The first floor includes entrance hall, large living
room, sun room, dining room, kitchen, children’s room and half bath; the
second floor has five bedrooms and complete bathroom.
Johnson was born in Raritan, Ill., in 1877 and died in Fort Dodge in
1940 at age 63. He moved with his parents to a farm in the Coalville
area in 1891 and lived there until the family moved to Fort Dodge in
1901. He was educated in schools here and then attended Drake University
where he completed his law studies. Returning to Fort Dodge after being
admitted to the bar he began a law practice here that continued until
1940.
[Illustration: The Johnson home
No. 5 Johnson Place]
After acquiring property between Twelfth and Thirteenth Streets and
Second and Fourth Avenues North Johnson platted the area in 1910, had a
street cut through and named it Johnson place at the suggestion of a
member of the City Council.
Johnson sold lots along the street and built his first home there at No.
8 Johnson Place. Later he erected the house at No. 5 Johnson Place in
1920 where the Johnsons’ family of a son and two daughters were reared.
They included Wallace of Berkeley, Calif.; Eleanor, known by her stage
name Eleanor Prentiss during her theatrical career and presently in
public relations work in New York City; and Olive, now deceased, who was
married to Carlton Coveny of Los Angeles, Calif.
Wallace is a prominent industrialist and engineer and president and
principal owner of UP-RIGHT, Inc., of Berkeley, a pioneer company in the
manufacture of portable aluminum scaffolds, radio towers and wine grape
harvesting machines. He served as mayor of Berkeley for two terms and
has authored two books—“Responsible Individualism,” and “The Uncommon
Man in American Business.”
E. H. Johnson was prominent in church, Masonic Orders and Republican
circles here. He served on the school board several years.