Age, Biography, and Wiki
Bumpy Johnson passed away on July 7, 1968, at the age of 62. Born in Charleston, South Carolina, Johnson moved to Harlem in his early teens and quickly became involved in organized crime. His biography is marked by his rise as a crime boss and his strategic involvement in various illicit activities that contributed to his wealth.
Occupation | Criminals |
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Date of Birth | 31 October 1905 |
Age | 119 Years |
Birth Place | Charleston, South Carolina, U.S. |
Horoscope | Scorpio |
Country | U.S |
Date of death | 7 July, 1968 |
Died Place | New York City, U.S. |
Height, Weight, & Measurements
There is limited information available regarding Bumpy Johnson's physical measurements. His height and weight are not well-documented in historical records.
Johnson was under a federal indictment for drug conspiracy when he died of a heart attack on July 7, 1968, at the age of 62. He was at Wells Restaurant in Harlem shortly before 2 a.m., and the waitress had just served him coffee, a chicken leg, and hominy grits, when he fell over clutching his chest. He is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in The Bronx, New York City.
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Dating & Relationship Status
Johnson married Mayme Hatcher in October 1948, with whom he had a daughter named Ruthie. He also had another daughter, Elease, from a previous relationship.
When he was 10, his older brother Willie was accused of killing a white man. Afraid of a possible lynch mob, his parents mortgaged their tiny home to raise money to send Willie up north to live with relatives. Johnson's nickname "Bumpy" is derived from a bump on the back of his head.
As Johnson grew older, his parents worried about his short temper and insolence towards white people, and in 1919, he was sent to live with his older sister Mabel in Harlem. Johnson dropped out of high school and began working in casual jobs. Gangster William Hewett noticed Johnson, who began working for him and his life of crime.
Bumpy Johnson married Mayme Hatcher in October 1948, six months after their first meeting. Johnson had two daughters, Ruthie and Elease, the latter of whom was from another relationship. His wife died in May 2009, at the age of 94.
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Husband | Mayme Hatcher (m. 1948) |
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Net Worth and Salary
Estimates of Bumpy Johnson's net worth at the time of his death vary, with some sources suggesting it was around $50 million, while others estimate it to be about $8 million. His annual income from the numbers racket and other illicit activities was reportedly around $1 million.
Career, Business, and Investments
Johnson's career was marked by his involvement in organized crime, particularly the numbers racket, extortion, and drug trafficking. He was instrumental in organizing the mafia's financial networks and managed various businesses in Harlem, including real estate, nightclubs, and casinos. Johnson was also known for his philanthropic efforts, donating to local charities and the Harlem Boys Club.
Johnson became an associate and enforcer for numbers queen Madame Stephanie St. Clair. In the 1930s, he quickly climbed the ranks to become her most trusted soldier. St. Clair incited a war with her rival, Jewish mob boss Dutch Schultz, for control of Harlem's rackets. The war resulted in more than 40 murders and several kidnappings and ended with St. Clair's arrest and imprisonment. Johnson, however, struck a deal with the Mafia after Schultz's 1935 murder through which he quickly built up his own organization in Harlem in exchange for favorable business deals.
Social Network
Given his historical context, Bumpy Johnson did not have a social network in the modern sense. However, his influence and interactions within the Harlem community and the underworld of organized crime were significant.
* The character of Sammy Robinson in Mafia III was partially inspired by Ellsworth Johnson. The kingpin who protagonist Lincoln Clay becomes is also largely inspired by Bumpy Johnson, along with people like Frank Lucas and Nicky Barnes.
Education
There is limited information available about Bumpy Johnson's formal education. His rise in the world of organized crime was largely self-driven and based on his early involvement in criminal activities.
In summary, Bumpy Johnson's life and career were marked by his significant influence in organized crime and his philanthropic efforts in the Harlem community. His financial legacy remains a topic of intrigue, with estimates varying based on the nature of his illicit activities.