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BIOGRAPHY OF WALTER O. R. JOHNSON This biography was possible through the generous consideration of Mrs. Gina M. Reasoner. Email: greasoner@prodigy.net Source: History of Ohio, The American Historical Society, Inc., 1925 Volume IV, page 375-376: WALTER O.R. JOHNSON. Both as an able attorney and veteran of the World war, Walter O.R. Johnson is well known at Youngstown and throughout Mahoning County, and his present prestige has been honorably earned in various ways. He was born at Renova, Pennsylvania, February 14, 1893, a son of Nels P. and Emma C. (Nelson) Johnson, natives of Sweden, who were married in the United States. For some years the father was in a general merchandise business at Renova, but in 1906 migrated to Youngstown, and since that date has been connected with the firm of Rose & Johnson, wholesale grocers of Youngstown. Following his graduation from the high school course of Youngstown, Walter O.R. Johnson entered the University of Michigan, from which he was graduated in 1917, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and in 1919 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws, and in January, 1920, he was admitted to the bar of Ohio. Locating at Youngstown, he has since been engaged in the general practice of his profession. In May, 1917, Mr. Johnson enlisted in the service, and spent three months at the First Officers' Training Camp, Fort Benjamin Harrison, from whence he was sent to Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he was trained under the supervision of French army officers in a school of French warfare. In September, 1917, he was assigned to the machine gun company of the Three Hundred Thirty-second Infantry, Eighty-third Division, stationed at Camp Sherman, Chillicothe, Ohio. He sailed overseas June 6, 1918, and after his arrival in France, sent to Chatillon-sur-Seine, Third Corps Army School, and from there to the Italian front, where he participated in the battle of Vittorio Benito, as well as others of less importance. In April, 1919, he sailed from Italy for the United States, and was discharged from the service May 21, 1919. He held the rank of first lieutenant. On June 1, 1918, Mr. Johnson married Miss Maude Osberg, and they have two children: Theo Virginia and Nels Paul. Mr. Johnson is a member of the Presbyterian Church, while Mrs. Johnson is a member of the Methodist Church. He also belongs to the Swedish Mission Church and to the Swedish Fraternity of America, to the Phi Alpha Delta and Youngstown Lodge No. 403, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, as well as to the Youngstown Chamber of Commerce. An enthusiast with reference to the American Legion, he not only is a member of the local post, but has also served the organization as post advocate. Since returning to Youngstown he has built up an excellent practice, and is making a name for himself as a resourceful and honorable attorney.
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