Johnson's father, ex-Confederate States Army colonel Albert W. Johnson, moved north after the war and became a streetcar magnate, with operations in Indianapolis, Cleveland and New York City. The younger Johnson learned the business and, with the wealth gained, largely bankrolled the Players' League. He also owned the Cleveland Infants franchise in the new league. The 1890 Infants finished with a record of 55–75, seventh place in the eight-team Players' League.
