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from Past and Present of Mahaska County, Iowa by Manoah Hedge The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1906
Irving C. Johnson, member of the Oskaloosa bar and referee in bankruptcy since 1900, his jurisdiction extending over Mahaska, Wapello, Monroe, Keokuk and Washington counties, was born in Oskaloosa in 1872; his father being the distinguished Judge J. Kelly Johnson, who is mentioned on another page of this work. The son pursued his preliminary education in the public schools, passing through consecutive grades until he completed the high-school course by graduation in 1888. In the fall of the same year he entered Penn College, where he completed a classical course and won the degree of Bachelor of Arts upon his graduation in 1892. In the succeeding autumn he entered upon a post-graduate course in Haverford College near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he was graduated in 1893. He next entered the law office of his father under whose direction, he pursued his reading, while later his preceptors were the members of the firm of Seevers & Seevers, of Oskaloosa. In May, 1895, he was admitted to the bar at Des Moines and entered upon the active practice of his profession in June of the same year. He has continued a member of the Oskaloosa bar with marked success. He has never aimed at signal momentary results but by a thoughtful and careful avoidance of mistakes, at permanent achievements. He has succeeded in all respects which constitute success as an attorney-at-law and these results have been attained by devotion to his profession and close attention to his business. The outcome is not the result of chance but results from his native abilities properly cultivated and at all times he has made good use of his opportunities. In 1899 Mr. Johnson was married to Miss Mary Burnside who was born in Oskaloosa in 1873 and is a daughter of William and Hannah Burnside, of this city. They now have two children: J. Kelly, born January 27, 1902; and Hannah, born June 22, 1905. The parents are members of the Presbyterian church and their social position is an enviable one. Mr. Johnson is also a trustee of Penn College and of the Oskaloosa Young Men's Christian Association and is deeply interested in the moral and intellectual as well as material progress of his native state. In politics he is a republican and has been referee in bankruptcy since 1900. He is a member of the Mahaska County Bar Association. In the walks of life where intelligence, honor and manliness are regarded for what they are worth he has by the practice of these qualities attained an honorable position at the bar and in the community, and won the respect of all who know him. He began life with a definite purpose in view, worked faithfully, honestly and with a will for its accomlishnient and now enjoys a reputation that is by no means limited by the boundaries of his native city.
Past and Present of Mahaska County, Iowa
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy