Carroll F. Johnson

JOHNSON, CONNELL, NELSON, SHINN, HAGBERG

Posted By: Michael J. Kearney (email)
Date: 11/13/2008 at 15:48:32

The Clinton Herald Thursday June 3, 1993 p. 3 Carroll F. Johnson, a long-time practicing attorney in Clinton before retiring in 1991, died Wednesday in Peoria at the age of 82. Johnson's illustrious legal career spanned many decades and he was well-known in Clinton for both his legal and philanthropic work. Johnson was born April 2, 1911, in Clinton to Charles J. and Mabel Johnson. He was a graduate of Clinton High School and graduated from the University of Iowa with a bachelor of arts degree in 1934 and a juris doctor degree in 1936. He married Elizabeth M. Connell of Iowa City, Dec. 28, 1938. He was admitted to the practice of law on June 10, 1936, and began practice in Clinton. Johnson was elected Clinton County Attorney in November 1938 and served until 1948, with the exception of the time he was on leave of absence as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy. Johnson was serving his third term as county attorney when he was commissioned as a lieutenant in 1944. Johnson participated in two operations at Okinawa and also aided in the landing of American troops for the occupation of Japan. His ship was the first ot drop anchor in Tokyo Bay. He resumed his postion as county attorney after his return from the war as his former assistant stepped aside to allow for his return. Johnson was active through the years in such organizations as the United Fund, Red Cross, American Legion, Jaycees, Gateway Chamber of Commerce, the Clinton Elk Lodge and the Kiwanis Club, where he was honored for his perfect attendance record of 45 years in 1983. Johnson was a 50-year member of the Mason's, where he took an active part in many pageants and he had been a member of the Shrine Oriental Band. He was named national vice chairman of the American Red Cross on the local level and while in the service. He had served as president of the Clinton County Bar Association. He was president of the board of directors of the Sarah Harding Home for many years. Johnson's daughter, Carol Shinn, said her father's legal practice had extended into his philanthropic work, as he did legal work for many churches. One part of Johnson's legal work involved arranging adoptions and he placed many children in adoption by working with the Right to Life group. Shinn said her father counselled many women and created many families. Johnson also was very proud of being able to assist many students with their college education, distributing funds as part of his practice. Shinn said Johnson was most proud of his work with the Sarah Harding Home, where he served on the board for more than 50 years. He also helped establish and worked with the Wyndcrest Home. In his postion as a trustee of a Jackson County estate, Johnson was very instrumental in the building of the Pearson Building at the fairgrounds in Maquoketa and a community center in Miles. Shinn said her father did many philanthropic things quietly of which people weren't aware. Johnson was also an avid Hawkeye fan, with a 40 years perfect attendance record at Hawkee football games, Shinn said. His long-running perfect attendance record at the Clinton Kiwanis Club extended in Peoria where he was also a member. Shinn said her father continued to be very active since his retirement, working as a volunteer. Delbert Dudley, a long-time friend of Johnson, said Johnson was active in many activities and supportive of many projects, including the Van Allen building. "Every time you turned around you were face to face with Carroll Johnson when you were involved in local community affairs," Dudley said. "He was always generous with his legal advice and almost never charged for it," Dudley said. A memorail service is being planned for June 11. Clinton Chapel, Snell-Zornig Funerla Home is in charge of local arrangements. A pending obituary appears on page 16 with a full obituary expected next week.

The Clinton Herald Thursday June 3, 1993 p. 16 Carroll F. Johnson, 82, of 2919 W. Gilbert, Peoria, formerly of Clinton, died Wednesday in Methodist Hospital, Peoria. He was a practicing attorney in Clinton for 53 years, was a former Clinton County Attorney, helped found the Sarah Harding Home and was active in a wide range of civic activities. Wilton Mortuary in Peoria is in charge of arrangements. The body will be cremated. Memorial services are being planned in both Peoria and Clinton. Clinton Chapel, Snell-Zornig Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements.

The Clinton Herald Tuesday June 8, 1993 p. 13 Carroll F. Johnson, 82, of Peoria, Ill., formerly of 648 13th Ave. N., Clinton, died June 2 in Methodist Hospital, Peoria. A memorial service will be 5:30 p.m. Friday in Prince of Peace Parish, Sacred Heart Church, with the Rev. Ronald Young officiating. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. also on Friday at Clinton Chapel, Snell-Zornig Funeral Home, where a 7 p.m. Masonic Rose Croix service will be conducted by Paul Eastland. Inurnment will be in Clinton Memorial Park Cemetery. Mr. Johnson was born April 2, 1911, in Clinton to Charles J. and Mabel Nelson Johnson. He married Marie Connell, Dec. 27, 1938, in Iowa City. His legal career spanned many decades and he was well-known for both legal and philanthropic work. He was a graduate of Clinton High School and the University of Iowa with a bachelor of arts degree in 1934 and a juris doctor degree in 1936. He was admitted to the practice of law on June 10, 1936, and began practice in Clinton. Mr. Johnson was elected Clinton County Attorney in November 1938 and served until 1948, with the exception of the time he was on leave of absence as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy. He was serving his third term as county attorney when he was commissioned as a lieutenant in 1944. He participated in two operations at Okinawa and also aided in the landing of American troops for the occupation of Japan. His ship was the first ot drop anchor in Tokyo Bay. He resumed his postion as county attorney after his return from the war when his former assistant stepped aside to allow for his return. Mr. Johnson was active through the years in such organizations as the United Fund, Red Cross, American Legion, Jaycees, Gateway Chamber of Commerce, the Clinton Elk Lodge and the Kiwanis Club, where he was honored for his perfect attendance record of 45 years in 1983. Johnson was a 50-year member of the Mason's, where he took an active part in many pageants and he had been a member of the Shrine Oriental Band. He was named national vice chairman of the American Red Cross in 1954 after many years of involvement on the local level and while in the service. He had served as president of the Clinton County Bar Association and was a 50-year member of the American Bar Association. One part of his legal work involved arranging adoptions and he placed many children in adoption by working with the Right to Life group. In his postion as a trustee of a Jackson County estate, Johnson was very instrumental in the building of the Pearson Building at the fairgrounds in Maquoketa and a community center in Miles. He was also an avid Hawkeye fan, with a 40-year perfect attendance record at Hawkee football games, Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Carol Jeanne Shinn of East Peoria, Ill,; a son, Thomas Charles of San Francisco, Calif.; and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers and a sister. Death date: June 2, 1993.