Sacramento County
Biographies
JOHN W. JOHNSTON
JOHN W. JOHNSTON.--A seeming misfortune
in the life of John W. Johnston, when ill health forced him to relinquish a
splendid professional practice in a most desirable location and seek a change
of climate, proved to proffer in return a recompense of no small value. The practice of law in Sacramento has brought him into
prominence through the northern part of the state and, while enjoying the
benefits accruing from restored health, he also receives gratifying returns
from his practice, so that he has no reason to regret the apparent handicap
attending his removal to this city.
Since coming to Sacramento in 1899, he has built
up an important clientele. During a
period of ten years he was associated in professional work with the Hon. Grove
L. Johnson, the father of United States Senator Hiram W. Johnson, former
governor of this state. Among the
thousands of Union soldiers whom Ohio furnished to protect
the Stars and Stripes during the Civil War, not the least conspicuous was Henry
Johnston, a volunteer for three months at the opening
of the rebellion, and thereafter a reenlisted veteran for the remainder of the
struggle. Eventually he received an
honorable discharge, after peace had been declared. When he entered the army he left at home a
wife and children, among the latter being John W., the subject of this sketch,
who was born in Pike County, Ohio, in 1857. The wife, who bore the maiden name of Louisa
Slaughter, was a native of Ohio, born of a Southern family, and numbered among
her relatives a distinguished general, General Slaughter, of the Confederate
Army. During the fall of 1865 the family
removed to Missouri and settled at Kirksville, Adair County. The son, at that time a lad of eight years,
received his education almost wholly in Kirksville, and in 1881 he was
admitted to the bar. Two years later he
was elected city attorney of Kirksville, and for a period of
three consecutive terms he served satisfactorily in that capacity. Before the third term had expired he was
elected prosecuting attorney of Adair County, and for two terms he
filled that office with conspicuous zeal and tireless energy. When his long period of official service had
been completed, Mr. Johnston removed to Nebraska and opened an office in
Omaha, where immediately he
rose to professional prominence. During
1894 he was elected to represent Douglas County in the Nebraska state legislature, and
during his term he promoted the interests of his home city to the extent of his
ability. The legislature of which he was
a member elected Hon. John M. Thurston to the United States senate. The exciting and long-continued campaign,
however, seriously impaired the health of Mr. Johnston and developed throat
troubles that did not yield to ordinary treatment. A change of climate was advised, and he
therefore came to California during 1896, settling
in Ukiah, where he engaged in the practice of law for three years, removing
then to the capital city, and establishing his present headquarters in the Bryte building. Mr.
Johnston was elected a member of the assembly of the California state legislature from
the fourteenth assembly district at the general election in 1916, and was
elected to succeed himself in the following elections of 1918, 1920, and
1922. He is now serving his fourth
consecutive term. He has been chairman
of the Committee on Prisons and Reformatories, and is now serving as chairman
of the Committee on Corporations. In the
legislature he has taken a very active part, and during the four sessions has
been conspicuous as a debater on all important questions that have arisen. He is recognized as one of the legislature’s
ablest debaters, being forceful in argument and quick, in a quiet, witty way,
in making telling replies calculated to win his point. His influence has increased with each
succeeding biennial session, and he has succeeded in putting through some good
measures and needed legislation. He is
very punctual and attentive, hardly ever missing a roll-call, and has fulfilled
his duties with great care and ability.
While
still making his home in Missouri, Mr. Johnston married
Miss Juliet M. Hollaway, a native of that state and a
descendant, through her mother, of the illustrious Lee family of Virginia. One of her cousins
served his second term as a judge of the supreme court of Montana. Mr. and Mrs. Johnston are the parents of five
children. The eldest, Thomas D.,
district attorney of Contra Costa County, represented that
county in the California state legislature
during the sessions of 1908-1909 and 1912-1913.
Volney C., the second son, resides in Sacramento. The three youngest children are Pauline,
Lucille, and J. Willard. The broad and
congenial fraternal relations of Mr. Johnston have included membership with the
Ancient Order of Druids, the Woodmen of the World, the Odd Fellows and the
Masons, all of which at various times have benefited from his professional
knowledge, tactful spirit and unwavering adherence to the highest principles of
honor.
Transcribed by Donna L. Becker.
Source:
Reed, G. Walter, History of Sacramento County, California With Biographical
Sketches, Pages 476-479.
Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA. 1923.
©
2007 Donna L. Becker.