Johnson was born and raised in the village of
Bellaire, Ohio, on the upper
Ohio River. In 1895, he debuted at the age of 17 with the
Page Fence Giants, Johnson moved on to the
Chicago Union Giants, and played on and off with the
Algona Brownies, saying they make him "look like a big leaguer." Other catchers quickly followed. Johnson last played for a major team in 1919 (the eve of the organized Negro Leagues), and continued as a manager through 1939, even managing teams using his name, such as the "Dayton Chappies" and the "Chappie Johnson Stars." He died at 72 in
Clemson, South Carolina. ==References==