William John Johnson's Shoe Shop

My great-great-grandfather,Jacob (Janson) Johnson came to Virginia from Bohemia before the American Civil War. In his earlier years he was a farmer and lock keeper on the Kanawha Canal in Goochland County, VA. He later became a boot and shoemaker in Richmond, VA. Census reports indicate that the entire family worked as shoemakers but only one son continued with that career.Jacob's elder son, William John Johnson is pictured on the left in front of his shop with an employee and an unknown gentleman.The 1900 Richmond City Directory lists William J. Johnson, shoemaker doing business at #4 18th Street and living at #382 Thirtyfourth Street, Port Mayo, Richmond.
The interior of the shoe display case has "W. J. Johnson's" painted in the back.