The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1919-05-14
JUDGE JOS. II. JOHNSON
CALLED TO HIS REWARD
Prominent Jurist, Native Of This
County, Died at his Home in Spar.
thnburg Last Thursday Night.

tnnburg Last Thursday Night.
Joseph Travis Johnson, United
States Judge for the Western district
OF South Carolina, died at his home in
Spartanburg Thursday night at $50
o'clock. He had been critically i'll for
several days, SO his death was not un-
expected. His son, Joseph r. Johnson,
Jr., resident now of Wisconsin,
reached his bedside just short while
before the end. The news OF Judge
Johnsons death was received here
with profound sorrow, as he was born
and reared in this county. first began
the practice Of law in this city and
married Miss Sarah Anderson, daugh-
ter Of the late Harvey w. Anderson, of
this city. large delegation OF Lau-
rens citizens went up to Spartanburg
Saturday to attend the funeral. Among
them were Gov. r. A. Cooper, who
spent the night before in the city, Sen.
n. b. Dial, A. c. Todd, Esq, r. E. Babb,
Dsq, and w. r. Richey, Bsq.
IN iohSi"i WIS lclu SATURDAY
morning at the late residence of the
deceased jurist in Spartanburg and in
terment took place Immediately there
after in Oakwood cemetery, the grave
being banked with mound of flowers.
The services were Of the simplest ma
turc, in accordance. with the wish OF
the family, fratcrnal organization of
which he was a member not being Of
hcially represented though many prom
ment Masons were present at the last
rites
The funeral was attended by public
officials. men prominent in court and
legal circles and number Of relatives
and old friends Of Judge Johnson. The
federal court was represented by at
torncys and other citizens. The en-
tire personnel Of the court was present
in body. The members Of the Spar
tanburg bar also attended in a body.
The services were conducted by Rev
j. W. Fascr, pastor Of the Central
Methodist church, of which the de-
ceased was member.
Judge Johnson was taken sick Sun
day evening, April 81, and | days later
hrcathcd his last, surrounded by his
stricken family and every aid and com
fort that medical skill could employ
and that kind hands could administer.
Ills death was due to a complication OF
diseases, resulting from a protractcd
attack OF Spanish influenza which
seized him early in last December and
which held on for a little more than
two months. This disease left him
Sorcly weakened, and when ne was
taken sick little over a week ago
his coalition Was grave from the
first.
Judge Johnson is survived by his
wife and the following children:
Joseph ~. Johnson, Jr., Miss Mary
Johnson, Harvey w. Johnson, Laurcns
Johnson, BENJAMIN o. Johnson,
Charles Il. Johnson and Elizabeth
Johnson; a sister, Mrs. e. J. Allen Of
Greenville, and brother, w. n. John
son Of Halifax, Nova Scotia, also sur
vive him.
Joseph Travis Johnson was born at
Brewerton, this county, on a farm CT
years ago, the date Of his birth be-
ing February 26 He was graduated
from Erskinc College with the class
Of 1879. Subsequently he finished his
education with post graduate course
at Vanderbilt University. He was ad-
miltcd the practice Of law in all
the courts Of South Carolina on May 30.
1883. After successfully practicing law
for a number Of years at Laurens he
moved with his family to Spartanburg
some 20 years ago. Shortly after
locating in that city he was elected to
congress, succeeding Stanyard Wilson.
Judge Johnson was sworn in as a
member Of the Fifty seventh congress
and for l6 successive years he ably.
faithfully and conscicntously repre-
scented the fourth South Carolina dis
trict in the house Of representatives.
He had been elected for another term
when the federal court for the Western
district Of South Carolina was created
and he was chosen the judge OF that
district having the Endorsement of the
entire South Carolina delegation in
Washington. On April !, 1915, he was
sworn in as United States Judge and