Alexander S. Johnson

Alexander Smith Johnson (July 30, 1817 – January 26, 1878) was a judge who served on the New York Court of Appeals and held a federal judicial position as a United States circuit judge of the United States Circuit Courts for the Second Circuit.

Johnson was born in Utica, New York. He graduated from Yale University in 1835 and read law in 1838. He began his legal career with private practice in Utica from 1838 to 1839, working in partnership with Samuel Beardsley. Subsequently, he practiced law in New York City from 1839 to 1851 with partner Elish P. Hurlbut.

In 1851, Johnson was elected to the New York Court of Appeals as a Democrat and served until 1859. He held the position of Chief Judge from 1858 to 1859. After his defeat for re-election by Republican Henry E. Davies in November 1859, he resumed practicing law in Utica from 1859 to 1865.

Between 1865 and 1869, Johnson served as a Treaty Commissioner under the Oregon Treaty negotiations, tasked with resolving claims involving the Hudson's Bay Company and the Puget Sound Agricultural Company. British representative Sir John Rose, 1st Baronet, was involved in the negotiations. Johnson received acclaim from authorities in England and Canada for his role in peacefully settling issues that had the potential to escalate.

Johnson returned to private practice in Utica from 1869 to 1873 and was a member of the New York State Commission on Appeals from 1873 to 1874. In December 1873, he was appointed to the New York Court of Appeals by Governor John Adams Dix, filling the vacancy left by Rufus Wheeler Peckham's death. He ran for a full term on the Republican ticket in November 1874 but was not elected, and his judicial service concluded on December 31, 1874.

On October 25, 1875, Johnson received a recess appointment from President Ulysses S. Grant to serve as a United States circuit judge for the Second Circuit, filling the vacancy caused by Judge Lewis Bartholomew Woodruff. He was formally nominated and confirmed by the Senate on December 15, 1875, and received his commission the same day. Johnson served in this federal judicial capacity until his death in Nassau, The Bahamas, on January 26, 1878.

He was interred at Forest Hill Cemetery in Utica.

Johnson’s family included his parents, Alexander Bryan Johnson and Abigail Louisa Smith (Adams) Johnson (1798–1836). His maternal grandfather was Charles Adams, and he was a great-grandson of President John Adams and Abigail Adams. In 1852, he married Catherine M. Crysler (1833–1898), with whom he had four children.

In 1859, Hamilton College awarded Johnson the honorary degree of LL.D.

Sources include records from the New York Times and historical publications, which provide details about Johnson’s judicial appointments, diplomatic service, family, and education.