Wilfred X. Johnson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wilfred X. Johnson
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| Member of the Connecticut House of Representatives | |
| In office 1959–1967 |
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| Succeeded by | Leonard Frazier |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Wilfred Xavier Johnson
1920 Dawson, Georgia, US |
| Died | January 31, 1972 Hartford, Connecticut, US |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Gertrude Johnson |
| Residence | Wilfred X. Johnson House |
| Alma mater | Hillyer College |
| Occupation | Politician, bank teller |
Wilfred Xavier Johnson (1920 – January 31, 1972) was an important American politician. In 1958, he made history. He became the first African American to be elected to the Connecticut General Assembly. This is a big step for the state.
Johnson was a member of the Democratic Party. He represented the North End of Hartford in the state's House of Representatives. He served there from 1959 to 1967. He was also the first African American bank teller in Connecticut.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Wilfred Johnson was born in Dawson, Georgia, in 1920. When he was five years old, in 1925, his family moved to Hartford, Connecticut. They were part of the Great Migration. This was a time when many African Americans moved from the southern United States to the North.
He went to public schools in Hartford. He graduated from Weaver High School in 1939. While playing baseball, he earned the nickname "Spike." He served in the US Army from 1943 to 1946. He worked as a dental technician during his service. After the army, he studied at Hillyer College. He also trained at the American Institute of Banking.
Career as a Bank Teller
Wilfred Johnson started working at the Hartford National Bank while still in high school. He worked as a messenger. After his time in the military, he returned to the bank. He worked as a clerk in the analysis department.
In 1955, he received a promotion. He became a bank teller. This was a very important moment. Johnson was the first African American bank teller in Connecticut. He continued to work as a teller until he passed away in 1972.
Johnson also had other businesses. From 1949 to 1954, he owned a clothing store. It was called Johnson's Men's Furnishings. He ran it with his brother Howard. In 1964, he opened another business. It was a liquor store named Spike's Spirit Shoppe.
Political Journey
Wilfred Johnson was a Democrat. He first became involved in politics in 1946. He went door-to-door to encourage people to vote for Democrats. He tried to get elected to the Hartford City Council. He ran in 1953 and again in 1957, but he did not win.
In 1958, things changed. With support from Boce W. Barlow Jr., Johnson became the first Black candidate. He was the first to get the Democratic Party's support for a state representative seat in Connecticut. He ran for an open position. He won against two Black Republicans. Their names were J. Blanton Shields and Margaret Ardrey.
Johnson was reelected four times in a row. He served in the House of Representatives from 1959 until 1967. In 1966, he lost the Democratic primary election. Leonard G. Frazier won that race. As a new representative, Johnson served as acting speaker of the House in 1959. The governor also made him a colonel in the Governor's Foot Guard. He also helped lead Hartford's third ward during this time.
Family Life
Wilfred Johnson married Gertrude Hayes in 1949. She was born in 1927 and passed away in 2013. They had five children together. Their three daughters were Dawn, Winifred, and Sara. Their two sons were Wilfred X. Jr. and Jeffrey Paul.
Gertrude Johnson was also active in politics. She was the treasurer of the Connecticut Young Democrats in 1957. She also helped start Project Concern. This program helped with school integration. It bused African American students from cities to mostly white suburban schools. This happened during the 1960s and 1970s.
Wilfred Johnson passed away from cancer on January 31, 1972. He was 51 years old. He died at Saint Francis Hospital. The State Senate honored him with a special resolution in February 1972. His funeral was held at Union Baptist Church. He was buried with military honors in Rose Hill Memorial Park in Rocky Hill, Connecticut.
Wilfred X. Johnson House
Wilfred Johnson's home is at 206 Tower Avenue in Hartford's North End. It is a special place. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is also on the Connecticut Freedom Trail. This honors his leadership and his many "firsts." His family moved into this house in 1966.
