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The original Johnson was a 4-cylinder steamer with an enormous hood and ornate enclosed body. The steam engine was a single-acting type of 30 hp. After 1907, Johnson adopted internal combustion engines of three sizes, up to 50 hp. This company also produced a large variety of commercial vehicles.[1]

The Company survived for seven years, from 1905 to 1912, ceasing automobile manufacturing when its president died. As did most steam car manufacturers, Johnson made the transition to gasoline cars around 1908 - 1909.

By 1909, Johnson had begun marketing HVAC systems for pubolic buildings. Among other things, the firm produced a series of postcards to promote this business.

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Johnson Service Company, 1904 Magazine Advertisement, Cycle and Automobile Trade Journal, p. 9

This Johnson Service Company advertisement appeared in a 1904 edition of Cycle and Automobile Trade Journal on page 91.

Johnson Auto Service Company, Milwaukee, WI, May 1, 1906, Cycle and Automobile Trade Journal, p. 118, Conde Collection.

This well illustrated, three-page article appeared on May 1, 1906 in the Cycle and Automobile Trade Journal, pages 118 - 120. The company is listed as the Johnson Auto Service Company. Subsequently, the word "Auto" was dropped from the name. John A. Conde Collection.

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The Johnson Service Company placed this advertusement for its 1907 automobile in Motor Magzine for December 1906, page 109.

Johnson Service Company, Milwaukee, WI, 1905 - 1906 Trade Catalogue Johnson Auto-Carriage

This undated Johnson Service Company trade catalogue illustrates the company's high end car and its advanced steam technology. It was likely published in 1905 or 1906.

Johnson Service Company, Milwaukee, WI, November 1906, Motor Magazine, p. 62, Conde Collection.

The November 1906 issue of Motor magazine carried this half page article on page 62. John A. Conde Collection.

Johnson Service Company, Milwaukee, WI, Cycle and Automobile Trade Journal, March 1907, p. 226a, Conde Collection

This short article appeared in the "Steam Pleasure Cars" section of Cycle and Automobile Trade Journal for March 1907, p. 226a. John A. Conde Collection.

jJohnson Service Company, December 5, 1907, Motor Magazine, page 236.

Johnson Service Company, December 5, 1907, Motor Magazine, page 236.

Johnson Service Company Postcard, U. S. Post Office Vehicle

CLick on the image above to see the three post cards illustrating the Johnson Service Company's chassis fitted for the U. S. Post Office.

Johnson Service Company, Steam Car Catalogue, 1907, Milwaukee, WI

This is the Johnson Service Company's 1907 trade catalogue.

Johnson Service Company Steam Car Brochure, 1908, SACA Reprint

The Steam Automobile Club of America reprinted this 1908 Johnson Service Company brochure. To purchase a copy, visit the SACA website.

Johnson Service Company Steam Car, 1908 Catalogue, SACA Reprint

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The Johnson Service Company placed this advertisemetn in Motor Age magazine in 1908.

Johnson Service Company, Milwaukee, WI, December 16, 1909, Motor Age Magazine, P. 119, Conde Collection.

This short article appeared in the december 15, 1909 issue of Motor Age , p. 119. John A. Conde Collection.

Johnson Service Company, Milwaukee, WI, January 1910 Magazine Advertisement, Wisconsin Motorist, p. 13, Conde Collection.

This advertisement appeaered in Wisconsin Motorist for January 1910, p. 13. It promoted gasoline powered automobiles. John A. Conde Collection.

Johnson Service Company, Milwaukee, WI, March 21, 1912, Motor Age Article, p. 6, Conde Collection.

This short article appeared in Motor Age for March 21, 1912, p. 6. It clearly marks the end of Johnson automobiles, which were produced at the insistance of the late company president, Professor Warren S. Johnson. John A. Conde Collection.

Johnson Service Company, May 1912, Agents Desired

THe Johnson Service Company was seeking dealers when it placed this advertisement in Motor Magazine of May 1912.

Johnson Service Company, Milwaukee Journal Article November 12, 1967. Conde Collection.

This Milwaukee Journal article appeared on November 12, 1967. John A. Conde Collection.

See Motor Magazine, November, 1907 for a Johnson advertisement.

Johnson Service Company, Advertising Postcard for public building HVAC, October 8,1909 Johnson Service Company, Advertising Postcard for public building HVAC, October 8,1909 asdfasdf asdfasdf

These four postecards, dated January and December 1909, were part of the Johnson Service Company's marketing effort to sell its HVAC systems to government buildings.

Cabanne Branch, St. Louis Public Library, December 10, 1909, advertising postcard for the Johnson Service Company. Cabanne Branch, St. Louis Public Library, December 10, 1909, advertising postcard for the Johnson Service Company.

The postcard below illustrates teh Milwaukee Museum/Library. Between 1977 and 1985, the author was the Curator of History, Americana at the Milwaukee Public Museum. At that time, it was in its new building just to the right of this image.

Johnson Service Company, Milwaukee Museum - Library Building, October 23, 1909 advertising postcard front Johnson Service Company, Milwaukee Museum - Library Building, October 23, 1909 advertising postcard reverse.
[1]Georgano, G. N., Encyclopedia of American Automobile, (New York, E. P. Dutton & Co., 1968), p. 106-107.

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This web page took three to four hours of scanning, research, and design. Thank you for supporting the Virtual Steam Car Museum!