The Joshua Johns papers consist primarily of career scrapbooks containing clippings, congressional newsletters, speeches, and memorabilia. The scrapbooks cover his legal career from his first cases in Chattanooga, Tennessee, through his return to Wisconsin in 1910, his leadership in Kiwanis International, and his political career as aide to Governor Fred Zimmerman and congressman from the 8th Congressional District. Unfortunately, the Kiwanis coverage in the scrapbooks does not include the period of his national leadership. Incidental loose papers include samples of campaign literature, form letters sent to constituents, and election returns. Letters of appreciation of a somewhat routine nature (1934) are the sole documentation of Johns' year as national president of Kiwanis. Also included are several individual and group portraits and two disc recordings. One disc is a 1940 recording of “I Am an American,” featuring Johns, Mrs. Towner, and Ben Neal. The second recording is an address by Johns, June 11, 1941 opposing U.S. entry into the war in Europe. One group photograph of special interest is Johns with the Richland Center football team. Also part of the collection is a volume, 1884-1895, of Johns' father-in-law and business partner, Samuel H. Newman, of Ahnapee, Wisconsin. This collection ledger relates to Newman's involvement with horse raising and breeding.
