AR 950Cla Jesse Clark collection of Charles Ellis Johnson Photographs

AR 950Cla Jesse Clark collection of Charles Ellis Johnson Photographs

1892-1897

Extent: 0.5 Linear feet

Biographical/Historical note: Charles Ellis Johnson was a well known Salt Lake City, Utah photographer from around 1885-1926. Charles and his mother emigrated to Salt Lake City in 1860. Soon after, Joseph moved the family to Spring Lake Villa for a few years, then on to St. George. The St. George property was adjacent to that owned by Brigham Young. It was there that Charlie met one of Brigham Young's daughters, Ruth. They were married in 1878, and had 2 sons, along with a daughter who died in infancy. The couple moved to Salt Lake City in 1882, where he pursued a career as a druggist for ZCMI. He became interested in photography, first only as a business venture, then in the making of the "views". He joined with Hyrum Sainsbury (S&J Photo) and continued the association until the "Money Panic" of 1893. Both the drugstore and photo studio suffered considerable losses. The drugstore reorganized as The Johnson-Pratt Drug. Co. while at the same time, Charlie bought out Sainsbury (who chose to retire) and the studio was known as The Johnson Co.. Charlie took over operation of the studio, leaving the drugstore in the hands of Parley Pratt. The Johnson Co. studio made all types of photographs, including formal portrait sittings in the studio of any citizen with the means to have a portrait made, views of Salt Lake City, Utah and the West to sell as tourist souvenirs, images from the Salt Lake Theatre, both scene views and portraits of various actors and actresses, portraits of LDS Church officials and their families, and photographs of newsworthy events that happened in Salt Lake City. He made many views of the Great Salt Lake and the various bathing facilities (Saltair, Garfield Beach) and even ventured onto several of the islands in the lake.

Arrangement note: Collection was left in original order.

Scope and Contents note: This albumen photograph collection of Charles Ellis Johnson contains photographs in and around the Salt Lake City area, including the Salt Lake City Temple, Mormon Tabernacle, downtown areas, and Brigham Young Monument.

Donated by Jesse Clark

Johnson, Charles Ellis, 1857-1926

George Sutherland Archives at Utah Valley University; Rikki Carter, archives intern

19 June 2019

Access to the collection is open with assistance from the archivist or staff.

Open for research. Copyright for official University records is held by Utah Valley University; all other copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

AR 950Cla

Young, Brigham, 1801-1877

Salt Lake City (Utah); Utah

Photographers

Photography; Images

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Livestock; Memorials; Mormon Church History; Parade floats; Photographs; Photography, Stereoscopic; Fine Arts; Mormonism (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints); Performing Arts; Pioneers