William was elected as a member of the WV State Senate in 1904. He also held many other important positions....
The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, Volume III, pg. 52-53
WILLIAM S. JOHNSON was re-elected state treasurer of West Virginia in 1920, and his second term in office is a compliment to his sound business ability and the efficiency with which he has administered the great responsibilities of handling the financial affairs of the state.
To his present honorable position Mr. Johnson has come through a career that presents few extraordinary instances but has been a steady struggle on the part of a normally ambitious, self reliant and thoroughly honest character. He was born in Fayette County, where he still resides, in 1871, son of Miles and Caroline (Woodrum) Johnson. His early life was spent on a farm. As a boy he went to live with his grandparents. His grandfather, Rev. William Johnson,was a farmer and local Methodist minister, a wise, good man of splendid natural attainments, who afforded the very best of influences tor the developing character of his grandson. The latter lived in the country and worked on the farm, attended school only two months each year, and the sum total of his school advantages was extremely limited.
He had an ambition to teach, and by attending local teachers institutes passed the required examination and was granted a first grade certificate. Mr. Johnson taught in Fayette County for about ten years. In 1902 he was elected county superintendent of schools of Fayette County, holding that office four years.
While still county superintendent he was elected in 1904 a member of the State Senate from Fayette County. He was re-elected in 1908, and sat in the upper branch of the Legislature from Fayette County for eight years.
Mr. Johnson was nominated, by the republican party for state treasurer in 1916, and in 1920 had no opposition for the nomination and began his second term March5,1921. It is doubtful if any preceding state treasurer has made as fine a record for efficiency and faithful and expeditious handling of the affairs of this office as Mr. Johnson. He has insisted from the first that the business of the office should be conducted on the principles demanded by any private corporation. His office force is organized and its work carried out with this idea steadfastly in view. He has infused his personal ideas into the office personnel, and has also introduced equipment and machinery for systematizing and expediting his work and saving labor. In the treasurer's office are such labor saving machines as a signagraph for signing checks, bookkeeping and posting machines, adding machines, mimeograph machines, all of the electrically operated type, and a machine for canceling state bonds and coupons.
The disbursements of the state treasurer's office run from $15,000,000 to $20,000,000 annually. The best evidence of business-like administration can be found in the record that not a cent has been lost to the state through his office and every cent handled can be accounted for. Mr. Johnson while state treasurer has been especially well known because of his aggressive fight against the antiquated depository law of West Virginia, a law copied from old Virginia more than half a century ago. The system has remained unchanged, an incubus on the efficient and business-like handling of state finances, and only the exceeding carefulness of a state treasurer like Mr. Johnson has avoided heavy losses that are inseparable from the risks involved in the law itself, in spite of all vigilance exercised by officials.
Mr. Johnson while state treasurer has studied and collected data from practically every state in the Union and also from private corporations illustrating the best means of handling finances, and out of this wide study and experience he has prepared bills for proposed laws, thus placing the responsibility for the present system squarely up to the Legislature.
At the annual convention of the State Auditors and Treasurers Association of the United States held in Atlantic City in October, 1921, Mr. Johnson was elected second vice president. He was also honored by being invited to deliver an address on the subject "How and by Whom Should Public Funds Be Deposited."
Mr. Johnson is a member of the Methodist Church, and is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, Elks and Moose. He married Miss Ernie Young, who was born and reared in Charleston. Mr. Johnson has his official residence at Charleston, but his home is at Mount Hope in Fayette County.
The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, Volume III, pg. 52-53
WILLIAM S. JOHNSON was re-elected state treasurer of West Virginia in 1920, and his second term in office is a compliment to his sound business ability and the efficiency with which he has administered the great responsibilities of handling the financial affairs of the state.
To his present honorable position Mr. Johnson has come through a career that presents few extraordinary instances but has been a steady struggle on the part of a normally ambitious, self reliant and thoroughly honest character. He was born in Fayette County, where he still resides, in 1871, son of Miles and Caroline (Woodrum) Johnson. His early life was spent on a farm. As a boy he went to live with his grandparents. His grandfather, Rev. William Johnson,was a farmer and local Methodist minister, a wise, good man of splendid natural attainments, who afforded the very best of influences tor the developing character of his grandson. The latter lived in the country and worked on the farm, attended school only two months each year, and the sum total of his school advantages was extremely limited.
He had an ambition to teach, and by attending local teachers institutes passed the required examination and was granted a first grade certificate. Mr. Johnson taught in Fayette County for about ten years. In 1902 he was elected county superintendent of schools of Fayette County, holding that office four years.
While still county superintendent he was elected in 1904 a member of the State Senate from Fayette County. He was re-elected in 1908, and sat in the upper branch of the Legislature from Fayette County for eight years.
Mr. Johnson was nominated, by the republican party for state treasurer in 1916, and in 1920 had no opposition for the nomination and began his second term March5,1921. It is doubtful if any preceding state treasurer has made as fine a record for efficiency and faithful and expeditious handling of the affairs of this office as Mr. Johnson. He has insisted from the first that the business of the office should be conducted on the principles demanded by any private corporation. His office force is organized and its work carried out with this idea steadfastly in view. He has infused his personal ideas into the office personnel, and has also introduced equipment and machinery for systematizing and expediting his work and saving labor. In the treasurer's office are such labor saving machines as a signagraph for signing checks, bookkeeping and posting machines, adding machines, mimeograph machines, all of the electrically operated type, and a machine for canceling state bonds and coupons.
The disbursements of the state treasurer's office run from $15,000,000 to $20,000,000 annually. The best evidence of business-like administration can be found in the record that not a cent has been lost to the state through his office and every cent handled can be accounted for. Mr. Johnson while state treasurer has been especially well known because of his aggressive fight against the antiquated depository law of West Virginia, a law copied from old Virginia more than half a century ago. The system has remained unchanged, an incubus on the efficient and business-like handling of state finances, and only the exceeding carefulness of a state treasurer like Mr. Johnson has avoided heavy losses that are inseparable from the risks involved in the law itself, in spite of all vigilance exercised by officials.
Mr. Johnson while state treasurer has studied and collected data from practically every state in the Union and also from private corporations illustrating the best means of handling finances, and out of this wide study and experience he has prepared bills for proposed laws, thus placing the responsibility for the present system squarely up to the Legislature.
At the annual convention of the State Auditors and Treasurers Association of the United States held in Atlantic City in October, 1921, Mr. Johnson was elected second vice president. He was also honored by being invited to deliver an address on the subject "How and by Whom Should Public Funds Be Deposited."
Mr. Johnson is a member of the Methodist Church, and is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, Elks and Moose. He married Miss Ernie Young, who was born and reared in Charleston. Mr. Johnson has his official residence at Charleston, but his home is at Mount Hope in Fayette County.
William was elected as a member of the WV State Senate in 1904. He also held many other important positions....
The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, Volume III, pg. 52-53
WILLIAM S. JOHNSON was re-elected state treasurer of West Virginia in 1920, and his second term in office is a compliment to his sound business ability and the efficiency with which he has administered the great responsibilities of handling the financial affairs of the state.
To his present honorable position Mr. Johnson has come through a career that presents few extraordinary instances but has been a steady struggle on the part of a normally ambitious, self reliant and thoroughly honest character. He was born in Fayette County, where he still resides, in 1871, son of Miles and Caroline (Woodrum) Johnson. His early life was spent on a farm. As a boy he went to live with his grandparents. His grandfather, Rev. William Johnson,was a farmer and local Methodist minister, a wise, good man of splendid natural attainments, who afforded the very best of influences tor the developing character of his grandson. The latter lived in the country and worked on the farm, attended school only two months each year, and the sum total of his school advantages was extremely limited.
He had an ambition to teach, and by attending local teachers institutes passed the required examination and was granted a first grade certificate. Mr. Johnson taught in Fayette County for about ten years. In 1902 he was elected county superintendent of schools of Fayette County, holding that office four years.
While still county superintendent he was elected in 1904 a member of the State Senate from Fayette County. He was re-elected in 1908, and sat in the upper branch of the Legislature from Fayette County for eight years.
Mr. Johnson was nominated, by the republican party for state treasurer in 1916, and in 1920 had no opposition for the nomination and began his second term March5,1921. It is doubtful if any preceding state treasurer has made as fine a record for efficiency and faithful and expeditious handling of the affairs of this office as Mr. Johnson. He has insisted from the first that the business of the office should be conducted on the principles demanded by any private corporation. His office force is organized and its work carried out with this idea steadfastly in view. He has infused his personal ideas into the office personnel, and has also introduced equipment and machinery for systematizing and expediting his work and saving labor. In the treasurer's office are such labor saving machines as a signagraph for signing checks, bookkeeping and posting machines, adding machines, mimeograph machines, all of the electrically operated type, and a machine for canceling state bonds and coupons.
The disbursements of the state treasurer's office run from $15,000,000 to $20,000,000 annually. The best evidence of business-like administration can be found in the record that not a cent has been lost to the state through his office and every cent handled can be accounted for. Mr. Johnson while state treasurer has been especially well known because of his aggressive fight against the antiquated depository law of West Virginia, a law copied from old Virginia more than half a century ago. The system has remained unchanged, an incubus on the efficient and business-like handling of state finances, and only the exceeding carefulness of a state treasurer like Mr. Johnson has avoided heavy losses that are inseparable from the risks involved in the law itself, in spite of all vigilance exercised by officials.
Mr. Johnson while state treasurer has studied and collected data from practically every state in the Union and also from private corporations illustrating the best means of handling finances, and out of this wide study and experience he has prepared bills for proposed laws, thus placing the responsibility for the present system squarely up to the Legislature.
At the annual convention of the State Auditors and Treasurers Association of the United States held in Atlantic City in October, 1921, Mr. Johnson was elected second vice president. He was also honored by being invited to deliver an address on the subject "How and by Whom Should Public Funds Be Deposited."
Mr. Johnson is a member of the Methodist Church, and is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, Elks and Moose. He married Miss Ernie Young, who was born and reared in Charleston. Mr. Johnson has his official residence at Charleston, but his home is at Mount Hope in Fayette County.
The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, Volume III, pg. 52-53
WILLIAM S. JOHNSON was re-elected state treasurer of West Virginia in 1920, and his second term in office is a compliment to his sound business ability and the efficiency with which he has administered the great responsibilities of handling the financial affairs of the state.
To his present honorable position Mr. Johnson has come through a career that presents few extraordinary instances but has been a steady struggle on the part of a normally ambitious, self reliant and thoroughly honest character. He was born in Fayette County, where he still resides, in 1871, son of Miles and Caroline (Woodrum) Johnson. His early life was spent on a farm. As a boy he went to live with his grandparents. His grandfather, Rev. William Johnson,was a farmer and local Methodist minister, a wise, good man of splendid natural attainments, who afforded the very best of influences tor the developing character of his grandson. The latter lived in the country and worked on the farm, attended school only two months each year, and the sum total of his school advantages was extremely limited.
He had an ambition to teach, and by attending local teachers institutes passed the required examination and was granted a first grade certificate. Mr. Johnson taught in Fayette County for about ten years. In 1902 he was elected county superintendent of schools of Fayette County, holding that office four years.
While still county superintendent he was elected in 1904 a member of the State Senate from Fayette County. He was re-elected in 1908, and sat in the upper branch of the Legislature from Fayette County for eight years.
Mr. Johnson was nominated, by the republican party for state treasurer in 1916, and in 1920 had no opposition for the nomination and began his second term March5,1921. It is doubtful if any preceding state treasurer has made as fine a record for efficiency and faithful and expeditious handling of the affairs of this office as Mr. Johnson. He has insisted from the first that the business of the office should be conducted on the principles demanded by any private corporation. His office force is organized and its work carried out with this idea steadfastly in view. He has infused his personal ideas into the office personnel, and has also introduced equipment and machinery for systematizing and expediting his work and saving labor. In the treasurer's office are such labor saving machines as a signagraph for signing checks, bookkeeping and posting machines, adding machines, mimeograph machines, all of the electrically operated type, and a machine for canceling state bonds and coupons.
The disbursements of the state treasurer's office run from $15,000,000 to $20,000,000 annually. The best evidence of business-like administration can be found in the record that not a cent has been lost to the state through his office and every cent handled can be accounted for. Mr. Johnson while state treasurer has been especially well known because of his aggressive fight against the antiquated depository law of West Virginia, a law copied from old Virginia more than half a century ago. The system has remained unchanged, an incubus on the efficient and business-like handling of state finances, and only the exceeding carefulness of a state treasurer like Mr. Johnson has avoided heavy losses that are inseparable from the risks involved in the law itself, in spite of all vigilance exercised by officials.
Mr. Johnson while state treasurer has studied and collected data from practically every state in the Union and also from private corporations illustrating the best means of handling finances, and out of this wide study and experience he has prepared bills for proposed laws, thus placing the responsibility for the present system squarely up to the Legislature.
At the annual convention of the State Auditors and Treasurers Association of the United States held in Atlantic City in October, 1921, Mr. Johnson was elected second vice president. He was also honored by being invited to deliver an address on the subject "How and by Whom Should Public Funds Be Deposited."
Mr. Johnson is a member of the Methodist Church, and is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, Elks and Moose. He married Miss Ernie Young, who was born and reared in Charleston. Mr. Johnson has his official residence at Charleston, but his home is at Mount Hope in Fayette County.
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