Born on January 22, 1784, in Johnson Station (now Great Crossing) in what was Fayette County, District of Kentucky, Virginia (now Scott County, Kentucky), Johnson read law.
He was a Judge of the Superior Court of the Arkansas Territory from 1821 to 1836.
[1] Following the admission of the State of Arkansas to the Union on June 15, 1836, Johnson was nominated by President Andrew Jackson on June 27, 1836, to the United States District Court for the District of Arkansas, to a new seat authorized by 5 Stat.
He was confirmed by the United States Senate on June 29, 1836, and received his commission the same day.
His service terminated on October 2, 1849, due to his death in Lexington, Kentucky.