Congressman Lester R. Johnson, whose election to Congress in 1953 attracted nationwide attention, was born in Brandon, Wisconsin in Fond du Lac County on June 16, 1901. Johnson's father, John E. Johnson, who also served in the Wisconsin legislature, was a devoted follower of Robert La Follette, Sr. Shortly after his son's birth, the family moved to California, although they returned to Brandon in 1905. The elder Johnson believed in hard work and as a high school student Lester worked in the family lumberyard and did farm work. After graduating from high school in 1918, he enrolled at Lawrence University from 1919 to 1921. Later he enrolled at the University of Wisconsin, graduating in 1924 with a major in economics. From 1924 to 1934 he managed the family's dairy farm.
In 1934 Johnson was active in the organization of the Wisconsin Progressive Party, and when the Progressives achieved control of the Assembly he went to Madison (1935-1939) as chief clerk. Then, although 38 years old, he enrolled in law school and graduated in 1941, after only 2 1/2 years of study. In 1941 Johnson moved to Black River Falls to supervise the liquidation of several banks in Jackson and Monroe counties.
Johnson entered electoral politics in 1942, winning election as Jackson County district attorney on the Progressive ticket. Although successfully reelected in 1944, Johnson followed Senator Robert M. La Follette Jr., into the Republican Party in 1946 and was turned out of office. Not long after, Johnson Joined the Democratic Party. In 1952 Johnson was head of the unsuccessful Kefauver slate in Wisconsin, and he went to the national convention as a Kefauver delegate. He was also the Democratic candidate for district attorney in the fall election.
In April, 1953, longtime Progressive congressman Merlin Hull died, and Johnson announced his candidacy for the seat in the special election. As the first election following the presidential election, Johnson's electoral fortunes attracted national attention. When he won easily it was generally interpreted as public disapproval of the Republican Administration's agricultural and farm policies.
Because of his knowledge of dairy farming, Johnson asked to served on the Agricultural Committee, but the Democratic leadership was unable to find a spot for him during his first term. After his appointment to the committee, Johnson was also named chairman of the Dairy and Poultry Subcommittee. He eventually became one of the most active and vocal members of the committee, working hard for legislation concerning dairy price supports and marketing that would aid his largely agricultural district. Johnson was also widely known for his support for conservation measures, a position which also derived from his agricultural background, and he worked for numerous bills to fight water pollution and promote wildlife refuges. In 1962 and 1963 Johnson's congressional district was divided, and he chose not to seek reelection.
He retired to Augusta, Wisconsin and died of a heart attack on July 24, 1975. Johnson was survived by his wife Marjorie Elliot Johnson (his first wife Violet died in 1953) and by three daughters.
