Royal C. Johnson Biography


	This biography appears on pages 87-88 in "History of Dakota Territory" 
	by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				ROYAL C. JOHNSON.  

	Prominently connected with the profession which has important 
bearing upon the progress and stable prosperity of every community, 
Royal G. Johnson has gained for himself a creditable position as a 
member of the bar of Aberdeen, where he has practiced continuously for 
about nine years. He was born October 3, 1882, in Cherokee, Iowa, a son 
of Eli and Philena (Everett) Johnson. The father settled in Calliope, 
South Dakota, in 1869, and removed to Highmore, South Dakota, in 1883, 
after which he began the publication of the Highmore Herald. His 
ability led to his selection for public office and he filled the 
position of county judge of Hyde county in 1895 and 1896. Again he was 
called to that office in 1901 and remained upon the bench continuously 
through 1904. The following year he became states attorney of Hyde 
county and occupied that position for four years. He was one of the 
strong and able lawyers practicing at the South Dakota bar. His force 
and learning made him a power before a jury and he was seldom if ever 
at fault in the application of a legal principle. He married Philena 
Everett, who was a successful teacher and one of the first women of the 
west to receive a thorough education. She served on the woman,s board 
of charities and corrections for the state of South Dakota from 1890 
until 1893, inclusive, and her four years, work resulted beneficially 
to the organizations with which she was thus connected. The death of 
Mr. Johnson occurred October 20, 1909.  

	Royal C. Johnson has practically spent his entire life in South 
Dakota and the western spirit of enterprise and progress finds 
exemplification in his life. He attended the public schools of Highmore 
and afterward became a student in Yankton Academy and College, where he 
remained from 1901 until 1903. In preparation for a professional career 
he matriculated in the South Dakota University Law School at 
Vermillion, in 1903, and there completed a three years, course by 
graduation with the class of 1906. He was then admitted to the bar and 
has since practiced in Highmore and Aberdeen, where he has made a 
creditable record, advancing steadily and surely until he now occupies 
a prominent position among the eminent lawyers of the state. His 
advancement is indicated by his official preferment along the line of 
professional duty. He served as deputy states attorney of Hyde county 
from 1906 until 1908, and in the latter year was elected states 
attorney for a two year term. At the end of that time he was elected 
attorney general of South Dakota and filled that important position for 
four consecutive years, his record being one most creditable to the 
state and one which reflected honor upon its legal history. On the 24th 
of March, 1914, he was nominated to represent the second congressional 
district of South Dakota in the sixty-fourth congress and won the 
election on the 3d of November, so that he is now sitting in the 
national halls of legislature as one of South Dakota's representatives. 
He has always given unfaltering allegiance to the republican party, is 
thoroughly versed on the questions and issues of the day and is able to 
support his position by intelligent argument, which shows that he has 
delved deep into vital problems.  

	It was on the 5th of October, 1907, in Dexter, New Mexico, that 
Mr. Johnson's marriage to Florence Thode, a daughter of H. J. Thode, 
was celebrated. They have two sons, Everett R. and Harlan T.  

	Such in brief is the history of Royal C. Johnson and it seems to 
stand in contradistinction to the old adage that a prophet is never 
without honor save in his own country, for in the state where he has 
practically always lived, public opinion accords him prominence and 
distinction, and added to the friendship which his life time associates 
entertain for him, their regard for his ability, which has brought him 
to the front as a lawyer and law maker.