He was born in Kristiania as a son of consul-general Johan Johannson and Helga Johanne Arentz Nissen (born 1855). He was a maternal grandson of school founder Hartvig Nissen, and thereby a nephew of Per Schjelderup Nissen and Henrik Nissen. And second cousin of prison director Hartvig Nissen and Kristian Nissen.
He finished his education at Kristiania Commerce School in 1893, and took further education in France, Germany and England between 1896 and 1898. In 1907 he became a partner in the family company John Johannson, a wholesaling company.
He chaired Colonialgrossistenes Landsforening from 1915 to 1920, Norges Grossistforbund from 1924 to 1927 and Oslo Handelsstands Forening from 1927 to 1930.
He chaired the supervisory council of Oslo Havnelager. He died in 1957.
He also chaired, and was an honorary member of, Creditreformforeningen for Norge. He was furthermore a board member of Christiania Bank og Kreditkasse from 1930 to 1946 (chairing it during the Second World War), the Norwegian America Lincolnshire from 1925 to 1948, Tofte Cellulosefabrik, Oslo Portuguese Authority and the Norwegian Trekking Association.
