John Binns Johnson was a real estate broker who lived at 1890 Comox Street from 1909 to 1913.
He was born in London, Ontario, on July 28, 1862 (although some sources say 1860 or 1861).
When he was 19, he moved to Chicago, Illinois, where he worked as a clerk for Bruce Roberts, a firm of vessel agents and brokers.
In 1883, he returned to London, Ontario, where he worked as a clerk until 1885.
In 1885, he moved to British Columbia. He was in Victoria for a short time, and then he lived in Nanaimo, where he stayed until 1888, when he went to Seattle, Washington for a short time.
On April 17, 1889, in Belmont, Ontario, he married Bertha Victoria Mohr. She was born on December 31, 1867 (some sources say 1868 or 1869). He parents were William and Henrietta Mohr. (Sometimes Bertha’s original family name appeared as “Moore,” especially during the First World War, when people did not want to associate themselves with German-sounding names.)
From 1890 to 1895, he was a merchant in New Westminster, British Columbia.
In 1895, he moved to Rossland, British Columbia, where he was a realtor, financial agent, and mining broker. He was an alderman on Rossland’s city council in 1897. He was the president of the Rossland Board of Trade in 1901 and 1902.
After he arrived in Vancouver about 1906, he boarded at the Vancouver Hotel in 1906 and 1907. In 1908, he was at 764 Cardero Street.
From 1909 to 1913, he was at 1890 Comox Street.
For a time he was in business with George William Richardson (1859-1921), who lived at 1891 Barclay Street from 1907 to 1909.
He became a member of the Vancouver Club and the Jericho Country Club.
In 1914, he moved to a new house at 1526 Angus Drive in Shaughnessy Heights. The house’s architect was Paul Phipps (1880-1953).
By 1920, he had moved to 1300 Pendrell Street.
Bertha died in Vancouver on December 5, 1924. She was buried in Ocean View Burial Park in Burnaby, British Columbia.
On February 24, 1926, John married Myrtle Eva Turner. She was born on April 6, 1889, in Campbellford, Ontario. Her father was John Turner. Her mother was Mary Melinda Wegg.
John died in Vancouver on June 3, 1933. He was buried in Ocean View Burial Park in Burnaby.
Myrtle died in Vancouver on June, 5, 1982. She was buried in Ocean View Burial Park in Burnaby.
Sources
John Binns Johnson
John Binns Johnson (1861-1933), Newspaper Reference Book of Canada, Toronto, Press Publishing Company Limited, 1903, page 115; https://books.google.ca/books?id=jFYMAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA115&lpg=PA115&dq=%22john+binns+johnson%22&source=bl&ots=Br4U3POrRY&sig=fct5COyw1toyMkxKkmcaLDiF6xw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CCIQ6AEwAWoVChMI0eicyJGKyQIVTPhjCh1Q6QhA#v=onepage&q=%22john%20binns%20johnson%22&f=false
“Ontario Marriages, 1869-1927,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FMV6-9ZT : accessed 12 November 2015), John B Johnston and Bertha V Mohr, 17 Apr 1889; citing registration , Belmont, Middlesex, Ontario, Canada, Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 1,870,224.
“British Columbia Marriage Registrations, 1859-1932; 1937,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JD82-R5S : accessed 12 November 2015), John Binns Johnson and Myrtle Eva Turner, 24 Feb 1926; citing Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, British Columbia Archives film number B13751, Vital Statistics Agency, Victoria; FHL microfilm 2,074,504.
“Death Claims J.B. Johnson; Well-known Financial Man Ill But Short Time; In B.C. 40 Years,” Vancouver Province, June 3, 1933, page 16 (includes photograph of J.B. Johnson).
John Binns Johnson, death notice, Vancouver Sun, June 3, 1933, page 18: “Johnson—Passed away June 3rd, 1933, John Binns, 4727 Drummond Drive, in his 73rd year. Survived by his loving wife and one sister, Mrs. D.V. McDonald, Seattle, Wash. Funeral service Tuesday, June 6th, at 2:30 p.m., in Nunn & Thomson’s funeral chapel, 10th Ave. and Cambie St., Rev. R.N. Matheson officiating. Interment in family plot, Ocean View Burial Park.”
Bertha Victoria Mohr (wife of John Binns Johnson)
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLG3-H2H : accessed 12 November 2015), Bertha Victoria Johnson, 1924.
Bertha Victoria Johnson, death notice, Vancouver Province, December 6, 1924, page 29; Vancouver Sun, December 6, 1924, page 12: “Johnson—Passed away Dec. 5, 1924, at 1300 Pendrell St., Bertha Victoria Johnson, wife of John Bins Johnson. Funeral service will be held at Nunn & Thomson’s chapel, 531 Homer St., on Monday, December 8, at 3 o’clock, Rev. A.D. MacKenzie officiating. Interment in Ocean View Burial Park.”
Myrtle Eva Turner (wife of John Binns Johnson)
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FL18-PJF : accessed 12 November 2015), Myrtle Eva Johnson, 1982.
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