A Narrative History of The People of Iowa with SPECIAL TREATMENT OF THEIR CHIEF ENTERPRISES IN EDUCATION, RELIGION, VALOR, INDUSTRY, BUSINESS, ETC. by EDGAR RUBEY HARLAN, LL. B., A. M. Curator of the Historical, Memorial and Art Department of Iowa Volume IV THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Inc. Chicago and New York 1931 ROBERT N. JOHNSON. In the profession of law at Fort Madison, Iowa, the firm of Johnson & Martin is recognized as one of major importance, its senior member, Robert N. Johnson, being one of the experienced and sound attorneys of Lee County, with not only personal clients but for years representing banks trusts, estates and corporations as legal advisor. Mr. Johnson has also been active in local politics in Lee County, and to a large extent has been a moving force in much of the substantial development at Fort Madison during the past quarter of a century. This is his native city and here his interests are settled, family, profession, property and social connections. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, is a past president of the Rotary Club, and for twenty years has served as attorney for the school ward. Robert N. Johnson was born at Fort Madison April 6, 1875, a son of Nelson Johnson, a native of Ohio, born near Norfolk, that state. Although his educational opportunities were meager, being limited to the common schools, he carried on his own studies into the higher branches and became so well educated through his own efforts that he was able to become a school-teacher of some note. After he came to Iowa he taught school at Newton, and later served as superintendent of schools at both West Point and Fort Madison, and some of the sons of Iowa who later rose to distinguished positions in this state, as well as in other ones, were among tis pupils. In 1877 he organized the Johnson English Training School, and operated it until 1912, five years prior to his death in 1917. He married Miss Nancy Jane Porter, of Kentucky, who survived her husband until 1925, when she, too, passed away. They had two children: Robert N., who is the younger; and Mrs. Sarah Johnson Casey, of Fort Madison. During the many years Nelson Johnson resided at Fort Madison he was held in high respect by his fellow citizens, and many of the early cultural efforts that were put forth by the people were either inaugurated by him or received his effective support. After attending the common schools of Fort Madison Robert N. Johnson entered his father's training school, and completed its course in 1893. For one term thereafter he taught school, but his father's profession did not appeal to him, and he therefore entered the law office of J. D. Hamilton as a stenographer, and remained with him until 1895, during which time he acquired the rudiments of the legal profession, and continued his law studies in the law college of th University of Michigan, which he entered in 1895. In 1898 he was graduated from that great institution of learning at Ann Arbor, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws, and returning to Fort Madison, established himself in practice. It was not long before he began to attract attention because of his ability, and in 1905 he was appointed deputy county attorney, and served in that capacity for four years, during that time handling some important litigation, but in 1910 he returned to private practice. However, when there arose a need for his services in 1920, he once more accepted appointment as deputy county attorney, and served for six years. With th formation of his present partnership, in 1923, with C. C. Martin, the onerous requirements of his practice necessitated his relinquishment of public duties, and he is now devoting himself to the work of the firm. During the World war, as might have been expected from the character of the man, Mr. Johnson was very active in all local war work, and was particularly useful as a four-minute speaker, his earnest sincerity and logical deductions bringing forth hearty responses wherever he addressed meetings held to raise money for patriotic purposes. From the time he cast his first vote he has been a warm supporter of the Republican party and its principles and candidates. On January 3, 1900, Mr. Johnson was married to Miss Mabel Josephine Morrison, of Fort Madison, Iowa, and they have five children, namely: Margaret Mary, who is a Sister in the Convent of Saint Joseph, Ottumwa, Iowa; Sara Marie, who resides at Fort Madison; Robert N., Junior, who after completing the law course at the University of Iowa is now employed as a lawyer in the United States Department of Justice; Virginia and Mary, both of whom are residents of Fort Madison. During the twenty years that Mr. Johnson was connected with the school board as its attorney he spared no effort to advance the cause of education, and he has always favored increasing the school facilities and improving them that there may be no one denied the advantages of a good education. To those who are ambitious to succeed in life he advises them to make up their mind definitely and conclusively as to what line they desire to work along, then to fight it out, good or bad, until the obstacles are overcome. He is known as a man of high character and one who lives up to his promises, whether they are made personally or professionally, is full of enterprise and energy, and never relinquishes his effort until success has been attained. 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