Born in Yass, New South Wales, he received a primary education before becoming a coachbuilder.

In 1910, he was elected to the Australian House of Representatives as the Labor member for Robertson, defeating Henry Willis.

He held the seat until 1913, when he was defeated by William Fleming, representing the Commonwealth Liberal Party.

While there, his Division was addressed by then Prime Minister of Australia Billy Hughes and former Prime Minister Andrew Fisher, then serving as Australian High Commissioner to Britain, and Hughes recognised Johnson in the crowd.

This article about an Australian Labor Party member of the House of Representatives is a stub.