Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1864-07-07
Andrew Johnson.
A SKETCH OF HIS LIFE.

; Andrew johnson was born in RALEIGH.
North Carolina, December 29th, 1906
When he was four years of age he last his
father, who died from the effects of exer.
tions to save friend from drowning. At
the age Of 10 he was apprentced to a tailor
in his native city, with whsm he served
seven years. His mother was unable to
afford him any educational advantages: and
he never attended school day in his life.
While learning his trade, however, he re-
solved to make an effort to educate himself
His anxiety to be able to read was particu-
larly excited by an incident which is worthy
of mention. A gentleman Of Raleigh was
in the habit Of going into the tailor's shop
and reading while the apprentice and jour
neymon werc at work. He was an excellent
reader, and his favorite book was volume
of speeches, principally of British states
men. johnson became interested; and his
first ambition was to equal him as reader
and become familiar with those speeches
He took the alphabet without an instructor !;
but by applying to tho journeymen with
whom he worked, he obtained a little as
sistance. Having acquired knowledge of
the letters, he applied for the loan of the
book which he had SO often read. The
owner Of the book made him q present of
use of letters in the formation Of words. -
Thus his first exercises were in that book.
By perseverance, he soon learned to read,
and the hours which he devoted to his edu.
cation were at night, after he was through
his daily labor upon the shop board. He
now applied himself to books from two to
three hours every night, after working from
ten to twelve hours at his'trade. Having
completed his apprenticeship in The autumn
Of 1924, he went to Laurens G. H., South
Carolina, where he worked as iourneymar
for nearly two years. While there he bo.
came engaged to be married, but the match
was broken off by the violent opposition Of
tho girls mother and friends. the ground o.
objection being MIR. Johnson's youth anC
want of pecuniary means In May, 1925
he returned to Raleigh, where he procured
journey work, and remained until Septem
ber lie then set out to seek his fortune il
the West, carrying with him his mother
who was dependent on him for support. -
He stopped at Greenyille, Tennessee. anc
commenced work as journeyman. He re
maned there about twelve months, married
and soon afterward went still further West
ward but falling to find suitable place t,
settle, he returned to Greenvile and com
menced business. Up to this time his edu
cation was limited to reading, as he ha,
never had an opportunity of learning Il
write and cipher, but under the instruction
; of his wife he learned these and othe
branches. The only time, however, he coul,
devote to them was in the dead OF night. =
The first Office which he ever held was tba
of alderman Of the village, to which he wa
J elected in 1928 He was reelected to tn
same position in 1929; and again in 1890
In that year he was chosen Mayor, whic
, position he held three years. In 1885 h
, was elected TO the Legislature. In the ses
, sion Of that year he took decided groun,
against scheme of internal improvements
, which he contended would not only prov
failure, but entail upon the State a bu,
) densome debt. The measure was popular
} however, and at the next election (lS37) h
| was defeated. He became a candidate agai
, in 1899. BY this time many of the evils h
had predicted from the internal improve
, ment policy which he had opposed fou
J years previous were fully demonstrated, an,
he was elected by large majority. In lS4
he served as presidential elector for tn
, State at largo on the Democratic ticket. -
! lie canvassed large portion of the State
meeting upon the stump several of the lead
ing Wing orators In lS4l he was clecte
} to the State Senate. In lS43 he was elec
ed to Congress, where by successive eict
tions he served until 1858. During this 3,
riod of service he was conspicuous and at
tive in advocating respectively, the bill ia
t reiunding the fine imposed upon Genera
Jack son at New Orleans in 1916, the an
3 nexaton Of Texas. the tariff of 1916, tn
, war measures of Mr. Folks Administration
and homestead bill. In 1858 he was electe
I Governor Of Tennessee, after an exctin
canvass, in which he was opposed by Gus
tavus A. Henry He was re elected in 1851
} after another active contest, his competito
, being Merdeth p. Gentry. AT the expirs
tion of his second period as Governor, i
| 1857, he was elected United States Senate
for u full term, ending March 8, 1863 Lat
) in the year 1851 he was appointed Mlitar
; Governor OF Tennessee, which position
has held up to the present time,