Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1864-07-07
A Sketch Of the Life and Services of
Andrew johnson, of Tennessee.

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Andrew johnson, of Tennessee.
~ Andrew johnson, the Union nominee
for Vice President, is a man of mark.
His life has been one of hard struggle and
ambitious hopes. Now that he has been
nominated for the second important office
in the Nation, his history becomes both
important and interesting. We therefore
compile. FROM various sources, few oi
the most important facts anl incidents oi
his life.
Andrew Johnson of Tennessee was born
in Raleigh, North Carolina. on December
90, 1908. When he was four years oi
age he lost his father. who died from the
effects of exertions to save friend from
drowning. At the age of ten he was
apprenticed to tailor in his native citv.
with whom he served seven years. His
mother was unable to afford him any
educational advantages, and he never at.
tended school day in his lie.
While learning his trade, however, he
resolvel to make an effort to educate
himself. His anxiety to be able to read
was particularly excited by an incident
which is worthy of mention. A gentle
man of Raleigh was in the habit of going
into thetailor's shop and reading while
the apprentice and iourneymen were at
work. He was an excellent reader. and
his favorite book was a volume of speech
es. principally of British statesmen.
johnson became interested, aud his first
ambition was to equal him as reader and
become familiar with those speeches. He
took up the alphabet without an instruc.
tor; but by applying 20 the journeymeu
with whom be worked, he obtained little
assistance.
Having acquired knowledge of the let
ters. he applied for the loan of the book
which he had SO often heard read The
owner made him present of it, and gave
him some instruction on the use of letters
in the formation Of words. Thus his first
exercise in spelling were in that book
By perseverance he soon learned TO read
and the hours which he devoted to his
education 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 Lauren:
Conrt House. South Carolina, where he
worked as a journcyman for nearly two
years. While there he became engaged tc
be married. but the match was broken of
by the violent opposition of the girls
mother AMI friends, the ground of objec-
tion being Mr.. Johnson's youth and want
of recuniary means. In May. 1924, he
returned to Raleigh, where he procured
journey work. and remained until Septem.
Der. He then set out to seek his fortu ne
in the West, carrying with him his mother,
who was dependent on him for support.
He stopped at Grecnville, Tennessee, aud
commenced work as journeyalSn. He
remained there about twelve months,
married, and soon after went still further
West; but failing to find a suitable place
to settle, he returned to Greenville and
commenced business.
Up to this time his educ alton was limit
ed to reading, as he had never had an
opportunity of learning to write or cipher
but under the instructions Of his wife be
learned these and other branches. The
only time, however. be could devote to
them was in the dead Of night. The FIST
office which he ever held was that oil
alderman of the village. to which he was
elected in 1928 In 1880 he was chosen
may or, which position he held for three
years.
In 1885 he was elected to the legisla-
ture. In the session of that year he took
decided ground against scheme of inter-
nal improvements, which he contended
would not only prove failure. but entail
upon the State burdensomc debt. The
measure was popular however. and at the
next election 1887 he was defeated. He
became can lidate again in 1889. BY this
time many of the evils he had predicted
from the internal improvement policy
which he had opposed four years previous
were fully demonstrated, and he was elect
ed by large majority.
In 1S4l he was elected to the State
Senate. In 1S43 he was elected to Con-
gress. where bv successive elections be
served until 1853 In 1858 he was elect
ell Governor of Tennessee. He was re-
elected in 1855. At the expiration of his
second period as Governor. he was elected
U. 5. Senator for a full term, ending
March 3, 1868.
Ever since the outbreak of the rebellion
Governor johnson has been a stern and
uncompromising enemy of the slave
As Senator of the United
States. as public speaker in behalf of the
Union. he has vigilantly and efficiently
wrought in her holy cause, and scored his
name high among the earnest workers on
behalf of the Republic.