]> phc_johnson_robert_grady_132 Finding Aid of the Robert Grady Johnson Photograph Collection 1931 - 1945 Processed by: Kim Cumber; machine-readable finding aid created by: Kim Cumber &hdrNcDncsa; 2008 Machine-readable finding aid derived from XML authoring program. Date of source: August 2008 Description is in English Finding Aid of the Robert Grady Johnson Photograph Collection, 1931-1945 North Carolina State Archives &tpNcDncsa; Descriptive Summary North Carolina State Archives. Robert Grady Johnson Photograph Collection, 1931-1945 PhC.132 Materials in English 14 For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Public Services Branch, North Carolina State Archives. Robert Grady Johnson (5 May 1895-22 June 1951), lawyer, legislator, and politician, was born in Burgaw, North Carolina. In 1929, Johnson was elected state senator from the Ninth District. In 1931 he was elected to the state House of Representatives for Pender County. He was re-elected in 1933 and 1935 and was Speaker of the House in 1935. In 1941 he was made chairman of the State Board of Alcoholic Control, and from 1942 until 1950 he was a member of the Utilities Commission. Photographic prints dating 1931-1945 depicting Robert Grady Johnson, other members of the North Carolina General Assembly, and/or other members of state government during that time period. Four certificates documenting Robert Grady Johnson's membership on the State Highway and Public Works Commission, 1937; the State Board of Alcoholic Control, 1941; and the North Carolina Utilities Commission, 1942 and 1945. Administrative Information Access Restrictions

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 Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], PhC.132, Robert Grady Johnson Photograph Collection, North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, NC, USA.

 Acquisitions Information

Donated to the North Carolina State Archives April 2008 by Louise J. Johanson, Raleigh, North Carolina.

 Processing Information

Processed by Kim Cumber, August 2008

Encoded by Kim Cumber, August 2008

 Biographical Note

Robert Grady Johnson (5 May 1895-22 June 1951), lawyer, legislator, and politician, was born in Burgaw, North Carolina, son of Joab F. and Myrtie Grady Johnson. He studied law at both The University of North Carolina and Wake Forest University and was admitted to the bar in 1926. In 1929, Johnson was elected state senator from the Ninth District. In 1931 he was elected to the state House of Representatives for Pender County. He was re-elected in 1933 and 1935 and was Speaker of the House in 1935. He served as secretary of the North Carolina Petroleum Industries Committee from January 1936 thourgh September 1937, when he was appointed a member of the state Highway and Public Works Commission, which elected him director of the state prisons, a post at which he served until 1941. While in this role he placed emphasis on improving the physical living environments of the prisons, making them more pleasant, and focusing rehabilitation around productive recreation and prison work industries. In 1941 he was made chairman of the State Board of Alcoholic Control, and from 1942 until 1950 he was a member of the Utilities Commission. At various times Johnson also served on the board of trustees of The University of North Carolina, as register of deeds in Pender County, and as a member of the Pender County and the state Democratic executive committees. Johnson was a private in the United States Army during World War I and worked as a medical records clerk. He was a member of the American Legion and an active Mason. Johnson was married to Mrs. Louise White Freeman of Elizabeth City, NC, and had three children: Louise Grady, Robert White, and Marion Lee. He is buried in Burgaw, NC. (From: Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, Vol. III, pp.297-298)

 Collection Overview

Photographic prints dating 1931-1945 depicting Robert Grady Johnson, other members of the North Carolina General Assembly, and/or other members of state government during that time period. Individuals include Governor J. Melville Broughton, Governor R. Gregg Cherry, Governor John C. B. Ehringhaus, Thad Eure, Governor O. Max Gardner, Governor Clyde Hoey, Fred C. Hunter, Carl L. Williamson, and Judge Stanley Winbourne. Most if not all of these photographs were gifts to Robert Grady Johnson over the course of his long career of service to the state of North Carolina, and many are inscribed and signed. Also in this collection are four certificates documenting Robert Grady Johnson's membership on the State Highway and Public Works Commission, 1937; the State Board of Alcoholic Control, 1941; and the North Carolina Utilities Commission, 1942 and 1945.

Collection Arrangement

By item level call numbers

 Online Catalog Headings

These and related materials may be found under the following headings in online catalogs.

Subject Terms Broughton, J. Melville (Joseph Melville), 1888-1949 Cherry, Robert Gregg, 1891-1957 Democratic Party (U.S.) Ehringhaus, John Christoph Blucher, 1882-1949 Eure, Thad, 1899-1988 Gardner, Oliver Max, 1882-1947 Governors--North Carolina Hoey, Clyde Roark, 1877-1954 Hunter, Fred C. Johnson, Robert Grady, 1895-1951 North Carolina. General Assembly North Carolina. State Board of Alcoholic Control North Carolina State Highway and Public Works Commission North Carolina. Utilities Commission Politics Williamson, Carl L. Winbourne, Stanley Geographic Terms Burgaw (N.C.) Hickory (N.C.) Pender County (N.C.) Raleigh (N.C.) Related Material

Additional information on topics found in this collection may be found in the Manuscript and Archives Reference System (MARS) http://www.ncarchives.dcr.state.nc.us.

 Container List Robert Grady Johnson Photograph Collection, 1931-1945 PhC132_1 The Governor of North Carolina and the Speaker, Members, Officers, and employees of [the] General Assembly, 1931

Inscription is at the bottom of a panoramic photograph that shows a large group of mostly men (only one woman distinctly visible) and a few small boys posing with Governor O. Max Gardner in front of the State Capitol building, 1931. Robert Grady Johnson is identified in the third row near Thad Eure who is kneeling somwhere near the middle.

 PhC132_2 Presented to my good friend Robert Grady Johnson with sentiments of high esteem, O. Max Gardner.

Inscription is at the bottom of this portrait photograph of Governor O. Max Gardner sitting at his desk, c.1930. He has a pen in his hand, there are two telephones on the desk, and a small photograph of Fay Gardner is also distictly visible on the desk.

 PhC132_3 To my friend, Robt. Grady Johnson, with best wishes, J. M. Broughton.

Inscription is at the bottom of this formal portrait photograph of Governor J. Melville Broughton. Broughton is shown seated with an open book on a surface in front of him, c.1937. This print has tears across the upper left side and upper right corner, but only the background of the image is compromised.

 PhC132_4 Three members of the North Carolina Utilities Commission appointed by Governor J. Melville Broughton, 1942.

No inscription. Left to right: Fred C. Hunter, Stanley Winbourne, and Robert Grady Johnson. Photograph by Owen Ballance, Raleigh, North Carolina.

 PhC132_5 To Robert Grady Johnson with kind regards R. Gregg Cherry Governor of North Carolina.

Also: With best wishes R. Gregg Cherry Governor of North Carolina 1945. Inscriptions are on the side and bottom of this portrait photograph of Governor R. Gregg Cherry. Cherry is shown seated leaning on a closed book and holding a pair of eyeglasses.

 PhC132_6 Group shot of the members of the State Board of Alcoholic Control being sworn into office, 1937

No inscription. Left to right: Governor J. Melville Broughton, unidentified, Robert Grady Johnson, unidentified, unidentified.

 PhC132_7 To my friend Hon. Robt. Grady Johnson, in pleasant recollection and with kindest regards, J. C. B. Ehringhaus.

Inscription is at the bottom right corner of this head shot portrait photograph of Governor John C. B. Ehringhaus. Photograph is an edited copy printed on thin matte cardboard, c.1935

 PhC132_8 To Hon. Robert Grady Johnson my esteemed friend Thad Eure Secretary of State May 1944.

Inscription, written in Thad Eure's signature green ink, is at the bottom of this portrait photograph of Thad Eure.

 PhC132_9 To my good friend, Robert Grady Johnson, Cordially Yours, Clyde R. Hoey.

Inscription is at the bottom of this portrait photograph of Governor Clyde R. Hoey, c.1937. This photograph has some water damage and a few tears, which somewhat obscure small portions of the image.

 PhC132_10 Group shot of the members of the Council of State for the administration of Governor Clyde R. Hoey standing along one side of the State Capitol, c.1937-1941.

No inscription. Robert Grady Johnson is third from the left; Governor Hoey is in the middle, sixth from the left.

 Certificates of appointment PhC132_11 Robert Grady Johnson to the State Highway and Public Works Commission, 1 May 1937, signed by Governor Clyde R. Hoey and Secretary of State Thad Eure. PhC132_12 Robert Grady Johnson to the State Board of Alchoholic Control, 1 August 1941, signed by Governor J. Melville Broughton and Secretary of State Thad Eure. PhC132_13 Robert Grady Johnson to the North Carolina Utilities Commission, 31 March 1942, signed by Governor J. Melville Broughton and Secretary of State Thad Eure. PhC132_14 Robert Grady Johnson to the North Carolina Utilities Commission, 27 March 1945, signed by Governor R. Gregg Cherry and Secretary of State Thad Eure.