Johnson married Elinor M. Preston on June 1, 1894, at the Union Presbyterian Church in St.

Johnson's ability to reason and work with legislators of both parties resulted in such reform legislation as a reorganization of the state's insurance department to the benefit of policyholders, reduction of railroad passenger and freight rates, and removal of constitutional restraints on the legislature's power to tax.

At that point, he had had over four surgeries for his intestinal problems, and wanted to pursue a promising sideline as a public orator.

When he died suddenly at age 48 from post-operative complications, which included an infection, the state's citizens were grief-stricken.

Statues of Johnson are on the steps of the Minnesota State Capitol and the grounds of the Nicollet County Courthouse.

Johnson Senior High School in St. Paul is named for him, as is the portion of U.S. Route 169 from Saint Peter to the Twin Cities.