Jesse P. Johnson was born around 1873 in Des Moines, Iowa, and moved to Camden, New Jersey, around 1890. The 1890-1891 Camden City Directory lists him living at the corner of 9th and Pearl Streets and working as a salesman in Philadelphia. He married his wife, Jennie, in the early 1890s.
By 1920, Johnson had transitioned to a career as a full-time actor, performing alongside his two older sons, Mortimer and Willard, in a vaudeville act known as “The Johnson Brothers and Johnson.” The family toured across the United States and performed on Broadway. At the time of the 1920 Census, they lived at 635 Royden Street in Camden, with younger sons Clark and Edgar also part of the household. Later, Johnson moved to a home at 19 North 28th Street in East Camden. He retired from performing in the early 1940s.
Jesse P. Johnson passed away at home on May 11, 1950, and was discovered by his son Willard G. Johnson, who had recently taken on the role of manager at the Towers Theater on Broadway and Pine Street in Camden. Jesse P. Johnson was buried at Harleigh Cemetery in Camden, New Jersey.
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Jesse P. Johnson
Jesse P. Johnson was born around 1873 in Des Moines, Iowa, and moved to Camden, New Jersey, around 1890. The 1890-1891 Camden City Directory lists him living at the corner of 9th and Pearl Streets and working as a salesman in Philadelphia. He married his wife, Jennie, in the early 1890s. By 1920, Johnson had…
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Towers Theatre
The Towers Theatre on Broadway and Pine Street predated movies, and featured both film and live entertainment into the 1950s. During the theater’s glory days, in the vaudeville era, it featured its own orchestra, led by Gus Borchard and featuring Ollie Bundick on drums and Sammy Adams on the piano. Camden’s own Don Traveline also…
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Jesse Johnson Dies at Age 77
Camden Courier-Post – May 12, 1950 Jesse P. Johnson, 77, former vaudeville star, was stricken fatally Thursday while in bed at his home, 19 North Twenty-eighth street. Mr. Johnson was found by a son, Willard G. Johnson, manager of the Towers theare, who called police. Dr. R. Dean Cavalli, county physician, and Coroner Robert J.…
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