Thomas Johnson (Arkansas judge)
American judge (1808–1878)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
H. Thomas Johnson (December 29, 1808 – March 25, 1878)[1][2] was chief justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court from 1845 to 1852.
The Honorable Thomas Johnson | |
|---|---|
| Arkansas Attorney General | |
| In office 1856–1858 | |
| Preceded by | John J. Clendenin |
| Succeeded by | J. L. Hollowell |
| Chief Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court | |
| In office 1845–1852 | |
| Appointed by | Arkansas General Assembly |
| Preceded by | Daniel Ringo |
| Succeeded by | George C. Watkins |
| Personal details | |
| Born | H. Thomas Johnson December 29, 1808 |
| Died | March 25, 1878 (aged 69) |
| Resting place | Mount Holly Cemetery, Little Rock, Arkansas |
| Party | Democratic Party |
| Spouse | Louisa Crease |
| Children | 4 |
| Relatives | George C. Watkins (brother in law) |
| Occupation | Lawyer and judge |
Born in Maryland,[1][3] Johnson moved to St. Louis, Missouri in the autumn of 1834 and to Batesville, Arkansas in January, 1836.[1]
Johnson made connections to the Conway-Johnson family through his marriage to Louisa Crease in 1839. In 1840, Johnson was elected as 3rd Circuit Judge in Northeast Arkansas. In 1844, the Democratic Party-dominated Arkansas General Assembly elected Johnson to be chief justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court following the expiration of Judge Daniel Ringo's term. Ringo was a Whig.[3] Soon after his seating on the supreme court, he moved to Little Rock.[1] Johnson served as chief justice until 1852. In 1877, he died at his home in Little Rock, at the age of 69.[2][3]
He was a tall, darkhaired, thin, "dry man, of great honesty and uprightness of character".[3]
