robertjohnson

Robert Addison Johnson, standing at 5'2" tall and
answering to the name of 'Shorty', led a varied career. He
was a service man in the Army during World War One, a
Wagoner for the 34th Division. His issued uniform had to
be rolled at the cuffs and he himself said he looked more
like a farmer than a soldier in his fatigues. Robert may not
have been a farmer (although he did tend his own garden to
support his family during the depression), but besides being
a soldier, he had many other talents and jobs. He was a
construction worker and carpenter. He was part of the crew
that built the Burlington City Hall constructed in 1923,
still standing on Washington Street.
It was not long after
this picture was taken,
that a mishap during
the construction cost
Robert three of his
fingers on his right
hand. The crane lifting
heavy stone set the load
on his hand as he was
guiding the blocks over.
Consequently, Robert
may not be the

person in America to have given City Hall the
finger, but he LITERALLY did! Robert's self
humor is apparent not only by his nick-name, but
as shown above dressed as a clown for area
parades (far left).
Robert Addison Johnson was born near Wayland
on October 4, 1893 to William and Ada
Johnson. He married Anna Prince of Burlington
on July 10, 1919. They had three children;
Richard, Robert William, and Mary (my
maternal Grandmother).

Robert had two sisters; Mayde Johnson
of Tucson AZ (whose career consisted
of being a diamond dealer in Chicago,
a missionary doing volunteer work in
Russia, and also a painter and artist),
and Mrs. Wilma Wells of Lebanon MO.
He also had three brothers; Fred Johnson
(who spent time in prison for
bootlegging), Leslie Johnson of
Davenport, IA (who he was in the
service with), and George Johnson of
Mt Pleasant, IA. George was also a
construction worker and worked for the
city of Mt Pleasant. He built the walk
bridge in Saunders Park and the
miniature water wheel at the water
company in Mt. Pleasant.
After the stock market crash of 1929,
using only hand tools, Robert would build furniture
for family and friends. Pictured are some surviving
pieces: a collapsible table and a set of knitting
needles and bag handles. He was also a
maintenance man for the Burlington Swimming
Pool and a member of the Moose Lodge.
On August 29th, 1950, Robert was working as a
lineman for the Burlington Railway & Light
Company at the Lower Augusta road just off West
Avenue. As he was holding a pike pole to support a
power pole, the live overhead wire (2400 volts)
snapped and wrapped around his body killing him
instantly. He was 56. He is buried in Memorial
Park Cemetery.