JOHNSON, Clarence C. "Murph" - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

An Attica automobile dealer in the infancy of the business, Clarence C. "Murph” Johnson, 800 South Perry Street, Attica, died Tuesday morning, August 18, 1981, in his home. Mr. Johnson, 87, had been ill for a year. A lifelong resident of Attica, Mr. Johnson was an automobile dealer here more than 50 years. In a 1975 interview, he recalled selling Hupmobiles as early as 1917 with the firm of Johnson and Jacobson. He continued selling Hupmobiles out of his own agency from 1919 to 1923, then operated an Oldsmobile Agency until 1956. He was later associated with Courtesy Chevrolet-Olds for 12 years. When Mr. Johnson began selling automobiles, he faced stiff competition from buggy dealers as well as rival automobile salesmen. He recalled that the early Hupmobile sold for $1,100, but a buggy could be purchased from the Leaf Buggy Co., for from $200 to $300. In addition to his work in automobile sales, Mr. Johnson worked as a clerk in the Attica Post Office from 1913 to 1919. He also was a member of the Attica Fire Department for 26 years, and served as fire chief until his resignation. Mr. Johnson was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Attica, Wabash Lodge 708 F&AM, Modern Woodmen and Royal Neighbors. He was born in Attica June 26, 1894, the son of Charles L. and Hulda Peterson Johnson. He was educated in the Attica Schools. On July 21, 1925, he married Miriam Coan. She survives. Additional survivors include one son, Robert E. Johnson of St. Paul, Minn.; one brother, L. L. Johnson, Fort Wayne, Ind.; two sisters, Amy Johnson of West Lafayette and Mrs. Edith Dalbey of Portland, Ore.; and two grandchildren. One brother preceded him in death. The funeral service will be at 2:30 p.m. Friday at the Maus Chapel with the Rev. Marvin Jones and the Rev. Otis Collier officiating. Burial will follow in Riverside cemetery, Attica.  --waw