Biographical Sketches
FRANK G. JOHNSON
The bar of Kansas City embraces many well known and able members, but few have attained a greater success in a decade of practice than the gentleman whose name introduces this review and who is accounted one of the most capable general legal practitioners in western Missouri.
A native of Massachusetts, he was born in West Boylston, Worcester county, on the 18th of December, 1851. His parents, William H. and Alsemena M. (Ballard) Johnson, were also natives of the Bay state. The paternal grandfather, Francis Johnson, was born in Massachusetts, and descended from English ancestry, the founder of the family having emigrated from England and taken up his residence near Boylston in 1640. The grandfather followed farming as a means of livelihood, reared a family of 5 children who reached mature years, and passed away at the age of 93. In personal appearance he was tall, straight and vigorous. In his religious views he was a strict Baptist, but accorded to all others the same right of opinion which he reserved for himself.
The father of our subject was also a Massachusetts farmer, and his entire life was spent in the state of his nativity, his death occurring in Boylston, at the age of 74. His wife, a lady of many excellencies of character, passed away many years previously. They were both consistent members of the Baptist church, and Mr. Johnson held various town offices and was prominent in public affairs. In their family were 8 children, 5 sons and 3 daughters, of whom 5 are now living, namely: Frank G., Mary E., Walter F., Maverette E. and William W.
Mr. Johnson of this review lived in Boylston until 22 years of age. He acquired a good common-school education there and later attended the Worcester Academy. He was reared as a farm boy, but later learned the boot and shoe trade; yet nature had not destined him for that calling, his abilities well fitting him for professional life. He engaged in teaching school for a time in his native and adjoining towns, and began studying laws in Towanda, Pennsylvania, in the office of Hon. D. C. DeWitt, and after thorough preparation was admitted to the bar in 1883. He engaged in practice there for little more than a year, and then sought a home in the west.
In the fall of 1884 Mr. Johnson came to Kansas City, Missouri, and has been since continuously connected with the bar of Jackson county. He served for 2 years as prosecuting attorney for the county, and for a similar period as police judge of Kansas City. He has been retained as counsel on various important cases. He was connected with the prosecution of the bank cases against J. C. Darragh, president of the Kansas City Safe Deposit and Savings Bank, who was brought to trial on account of receiving deposits after knowing that the bank must suspend. E. C. Sattley, the cashier, was convicted after a 5 week trial and sentenced to 4 years in the penitentiary, after which he appealed to the supreme court of the state. The trial of the president lasted for about the same length of time, but the jury failed to agree upon a verdict.
Mr. Johnson was married in September, 1876, to Miss Cora M. Moore, daughter of Lorin and Minerva M. (Aldrich) Moore. Two children have been born to them - Herbert F. and Walter L. Mr. Johnson is a member of Union lodge, No. 108, F. & A. M., and is also connected with Sicilian lodge, No. 39, K. of P., of Kansas City. In politics he is a democrat. He was appointed by Governor Stone a member of the Board of Police Commissioners for Kansas City, December 9, 1895.
This page was last updated August 2, 2006.