B. Ed Johnson
American politician
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Benjamin Edward Johnson (October 28, 1914 – June 8, 1983) was an American businessman, broadcaster and politician from the U.S. state of Georgia. He resided in Columbus in Muscogee County, where he was the first elected mayor of that city, from 1965 to 1968.
Harold E. Hughes
J. R. Allen
B. Ed Johnson | |
|---|---|
| |
| Mayor of Columbus, Georgia | |
| In office 1960–1961 1965–1968 | |
| Preceded by | Benjamin Franklin Register Harold E. Hughes |
| Succeeded by | Steve Knight J. R. Allen |
| Member of the Georgia Senate from the 24th district | |
| In office November 28, 1945 – ? | |
| Preceded by | H. Dixon Smith |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 28, 1914 |
| Died | June 8, 1983 (aged 68) |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Martha Louise Noble Harriette V. Murray |
| Occupation | Legislator, businessman |
Early years and education
Political career
In 1945, Johnson was elected to the Georgia State Senate's 24th district, to fill the unexpired term of the deceased H. Dixon Smith.[2] At that time, he was the youngest state senator to ever hold that office from that district.[1] He was named mayor pro tempore[3] of Columbus in 1960, serving for one year. Previously, he had served as secretary and city commissioner of Columbus. He was returned to the mayor's office in 1965, but this time by registered voters in the city of Columbus, becoming the first elected mayor of the city.[4] At some time during his tenure, the Miss Georgia USA beauty pageant, which he helped lay the foundation for,[5] came to Columbus.[6] He was succeeded as mayor by J. R. Allen in 1969.
Business background and civic involvement
Johnson worked at the exchange in Fort Benning, Georgia, along with oil and lumber companies, in 1951 as sales manager of the Columbus Broadcasting Company and around 1959 a manager of Westad, a distributor of electronics.[7] He was voted as Columbus' outstanding citizen of the year in 1946.[1]
Johnson was a member of community organizations, including the Better Business Bureau, Chamber of Commerce, Lion's Club, Roofers' Manufacturing Association, and Columbus Country Club. A 1951 biography lauded his "ready smile and infectious friendliness" and described him as having "one of the largest contingents of friends ... in the community".[1]
Johnson died in 1983 at the age of 68. At the time of his death, he was married to Harriette V. Murray.
