Brooks J. Johnson, whose long and capable service as clerk of the common pleas and district appellate courts of Miami county has been such as to merit the greatest confidence of the members; of the county bar and the public at large, was born at Troy, Ohio, August 14, 1878, a son of Alonzo and Mattie (Bowers) Johnson, and a grandson of Dr. J. Bowers, one of the pioneer physicians of Miami county. The only child of his parents, Brooks J. Johnson secured his education in the public schools of Troy, after leaving which he applied himself to learning the trade of telegrapher. For some time thereafter he worked as a telegrapher at various points throughout the country, engaged in railroad and commercial telegraphy, and in 1904, while serving as an operator for the Postal Telegraph Company, was made chief deputy to the clerk of the courts. In 1909 he was appointed chief deputy under Sheriff R. N. Gibson and served as chief deputy sheriff during his administration and that of Sheriff Louis Paul. In 1912 Mr. Johnson was elected to his present position, now serving his forth term therein. So firmly has he established himself in the confidence and good-will of the members of the bar, that on several occasions prior to his re-elections he has been petitioned by them to continue in office if elected. A man who assumed the duties of office as a public responsibility, he gives of the best of himself in their discharge and his public record is one of splendid efficiency and unwavering fidelity. Mr. Johnson is also a well-known fraternalist, being past exalted ruler of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, past president of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. During the war period he was Miami county explosives agent for the United States Government, and was also active in the war movements of the Young Men's Christian Association, the American Red Cross and the Miami County War Chest. He married Daisy, daughter of Charles Marshall, of Troy, and they have two children: Persis M. and James.