F. W. Johnson City Coach & Motor Works

Very soon after arriving in Ipswich Frederick William Johnson started his own coach- building firm in 1884. About six months later he entered a partnership with J.J. Broughton. They built coaches together until 1897 when they dissolved the partnership by mutual agreement. Broughton continued his coach-working on the corner of Nicholas and Limestone Streets. 

Johnson then started his own business known as City Coach Works on Brisbane Street, situated next to W. Siemon's grocery. A new building was constructed to house the coach works with the undertaking business being conducted by brother A. E. Johnson in adjoining premises. In these early years medals were won for wheelwrighting by Johnson at local shows like Ipswich, Rosewood and Laidley. By 1899 their present location became insufficient for the successful business and some land was purchased on the opposite side of Brisbane Street. In 1901 the annual output of City Coach Works was 75 vehicles.

In 1907 Frederick was elected to Ipswich City Council as an alderman, in which capacity he served until 1912. 

Sons Ernest B., William J. and Arthur M. Johnson all entered the family business although Arthur would leave to run a confectionery business in Bell Street. When their father died in December 1919 it was E.B. and W.J. who took over the company in 1920 and re-named it F.W. Johnson & Sons, Coachbuilders & Undertakers. From this time on the brothers began to deal in motor vehicles responding to the popularity of the new conveyance. Like many businesses they made the transition from horse drawn vehicles to automobiles. Immediately they became the agents for Howard Motor Cycles, and in 1924 Johnsons became the agents for Buick, Chevrolet and Vulcan. In 1925 they bought the next door property (the Old Flour Mill) used by Cribb & Foote's stove department. This became a showroom. That same year adjoining Siemon & Sons land was also purchased.

A few years later the business would also become Morris and Vauxhall dealers. In 1934 they became the agents for Westinghouse fridges, and later moved into radio and appliance sales. 

In 1948 William J. Johnson acquired the business and it eventually became a family company including the Johnsons and their daughters, and son in law A.J. Roach who became managing director of the company in 1958. Following Roach's death F.W. Johnson & Sons met its demise. 

William J. Johnson formed Radio station 4IP in 1936 and located its offices in the Old Flour Mill which adjoined Johnsons. The 2 businesses were co-located for the next 28 years. 

In 1902 Frederick  purchased a house on Denmark Hill fronting Waghorn Street, which was previously owned by Joseph Rose. For a time he also lived at City Coach Works in Brisbane Street. For the last few years prior to his death Frederick William Johnson was living at Cremona, Chermside Road, East Ipswich.