William Wartenbee Johnson

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William Wartenbee Johnson
William Wartenbee Johnson seated.jpg
Associate Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court
In office
February 9, 1880 – November 9, 1886
Preceded byWilliam J. Gilmore
Succeeded byFranklin J. Dickman
Personal details
Born(1826-08-26)August 26, 1826
Washington County, Pennsylvania
DiedMarch 2, 1887(1887-03-02) (aged 60)
Ironton, Ohio
Resting placeWoodland Cemetery
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Martha Ella Blockson
Childrentwo
Alma materMuskingum College

William Wartenbee Johnson (August 26, 1826 – March 2, 1887) was a Republican politician in the U.S. State of Ohio who was an Ohio Supreme Court Judge 1880–1886.

Biography[]

Johnson was born in Muskingum County, Ohio near Chandlersville, August 26[1][2] or August 17,[3] 1826. He was the third son of Solomon Johnson, originally from Connecticut, and Elizabeth Wartenbee, a Virginia native.[3] He attended neighborhood schools, and graduated from and later taught at Muskingum College in New Concord. In 1849, he began study of law at the office of Charles Cleveland Convers, then Speaker of the Ohio Senate, and later on the Ohio Supreme Court. In 1852, he was admitted to the bar, and began practice at Ironton, Ohio.[1]

In 1858, Johnson was elected Judge of the Common Pleas, and served until 1866. In 1868, he was re-elected, but resigned in 1872 due to ill health.[1] In 1874, he was the Republican nominee for Supreme Court Judge, but lost to Democrat George Rex.[4] In 1876, Governor Hayes appointed him a member of the first Supreme Court Commission of Ohio, serving until 1879.[1] In 1876, he was also appointed a trustee of Ohio University.[3]

In 1879, Johnson was again nominated by the Republicans for Supreme Court Judge, and defeated incumbent Democrat William J. Gilmore.[5] Johnson was re-elected in 1884, but resigned November 9, 1886 due to ill health. He died March 2, 1887.[1] He died at Ironton, and is buried at Woodland Cemetery.[2]

On October 26, 1854, Johnson married Ella Blocksom, daughter of judge William Blocksom of Zanesville. They had two children, one of whom survived.[3] Johnson was a Royal Arch Mason.[3]

Notes[]

  1. ^ a b c d e Smith, p. 333.
  2. ^ a b "William Wartenbee Johnson". The Supreme Court of Ohio & The Ohio Judicial System. Retrieved 2011-08-29.
  3. ^ a b c d e Brennan, p. 609-610.
  4. ^ Smith, p. 331.
  5. ^ Smith, p. 406.

References[]

Legal offices
Preceded by Associate Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court
1880–1886 		Succeeded by
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