[1] He read law at a local office, and was the first court stenographer of Clark County.

Johnson ran as a Democrat for Ohio House of Representatives in 1881, Clark County prosecuting attorney and District Court judge in 1886, losing each time in Republican leaning Clark County.

In 1916, he received a doctor of laws from Wittenberg University, and won re-election in November.

[1] Johnson died after a long illness October 24, 1936, in Springfield, Ohio.

[2] A Lutheran pastor conducted the funeral services before burial in Ferncliff Cemetery.