Johnson N. Camden began his career by studying law and was admitted to the Virginia bar in 1851. He held various positions, including prosecuting attorney for Nicholas County, and later transitioned to banking and industry, becoming president of the First National Bank of Parkersburg. Camden engaged in oil refining, coal mining, and railroad consolidation, showcasing his diverse business acumen. He pursued a political career, serving two terms in the U.S. Senate, and was involved in significant legislative committees. Camden also contributed to the financial infrastructure of his region by building the Union Trust & Deposit Co./Union Trust National Bank at Parkersburg.

Johnson N. Camden's political identity is marked by a blend of industrial investment and public service, revealing a complex approach to regional economic interests. His involvement in oil refining, coal mining, and banking juxtaposes with his unsuccessful bids for Governor of West Virginia, suggesting a nuanced stance on state-level governance. Camden's military sympathies and familial ties to the Confederacy add another layer to his ideological positioning, hinting at a strategic balancing act between regional loyalty and broader national interests.