Johnson, Warren

Submitted by Mike Miller

Johnson, Warren, consulting engineer, and one of the prominent figures in professional circles of his native city, was born in New Orleans, Dec. 5, 1875, the son of Lewis and Rosena (Smith) Johnson. The father was born in New Orleans in 1836; was for many years conspicuous in the industrial life of the city, was president of the Johnson Iron Works, president pro tem. of the sewerage and water board, and chairman of its executive committee from its inauguration until his death in 1910. He was also president of the Audubon Park board. Rosena Smith was born in Derbyshire, England, in 1839, and was married to Lewis Johnson in 1859. The following children were born to them: Shirley, wife of Henry D. Stearns, president of the Johnson Iron Works; Wilmer Holmes, secretary and treasurer of the Johnson Iron Works; Lew, now Mrs. Lew Johnson Richardson; Warren, the subject of this sketch; Eads, of New York City, and Rosena, who died in 1888, at 7 years of age. Mr. Warren Johnson was reared in New Orleans, and his first education was obtained at T. W. Dwyer's school, where he prepared for Tulane university. In 1896 he graduated from the architectural department of Tulane university, and going thence to Cornell university, at Ithaca, N. Y., he graduated from that institution in architectural engineering in 1897, and then spent 1 year in New York in engineering work, after which he returned to his New Orleans home, where he has since remained. Upon his return, he was made superintendent of the ship-building department of the Johnson Iron Works, ltd. In 1905, he opened an office as consulting engineer, and since then has acted in that capacity for the Johnson Iron Works and other companies. Mr. Johnson is a member of the following organizations: The Delta Tau Delta fraternity, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Louisiana Engineering society, Louisiana club, of which he is president; New Orleans, Chess, Checkers & Whist club, Audubon Golf club, Rigolets Fishing club, and is chairman of the Grounds Committee of the Audubon Park commission. In religion, he adheres to the principles of the Episcopal church, and is a member of the Annunciation congregation. He is a democrat in politics. Mr. Johnson was married in 1901 to Miss Elizabeth Merrick, daughter of Capt. David T. and Lulu (Dowdell) Merrick. In 1903 Mr. Johnson's wife died and left 1 daughter, Elizabeth, who is now (1913) 10 years old.

Louisiana: Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), pp. 223-334. Edited by Alcée Fortier, Lit.D. Published in 1914, by Century Historical Association.