Johnson was nominated by President Woodrow Wilson on October 1, 1917, to a seat vacated by William LeBaron Putnam.

He was confirmed by the United States Senate on October 1, 1917, and received commission the same day.

Born on February 14, 1859, in Winslow, Kennebec County, Maine,[1] Johnson attended the common schools and Waterville Classical Institute.

[2] He received an Artium Baccalaureus degree in 1879 from Bowdoin College and read law in 1886.

[2] Johnson was nominated by President Woodrow Wilson on October 1, 1917, to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit vacated by Judge William LeBaron Putnam.