The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-06-17
Andrew johnson.

Andrew Johnson. U. 8. Senator from Ten
nessec, was born In Raleigh, N. c., Dec. %.
1908. When ho was four years Of ago he lost
his father, who died from exertions to save
friend from drowning. At the age Of ten he
was apprenticcd to q tailor In his native city,
With whom he served seven years. His mother
was unable to afford him any educational sd-
yantages In life. whilelearnlng his trade, how
ever, he resolved to make On effort to educate
himself His anxiety to be able to read was
particularly excited by an incident which 10
worthy Of mention. rr W
A gentleman in Raleigh was In the habit OF
going into the tailor's shop and reading while
the apprentice and journeymen were at work.
He was an excellent reader and his favorite
book was volume Of speeches, principally Of
British statesmen. johnson became interested,
and his arst ambition was to equal him a. o
reader and become familiar with those speeches.
He took up the alphabet without an instructor;
but by applying to the journeymen with whom
he worked /, he obtained little assistance. Hav-
ing acquired knowledge Of the letters, he ap-
piled for the loan Of the book which he had so
often heard read. The owner made him pres
ent of Il, and gave him some instruction on the
use of letters in the formation of words. Thus
his frst exercises in spelling were in that book.
By perseverance he soon learned to read, and
the hours he devoted to education were at night
after he was through his daily labor upon tho
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 au-
tumn Of 1924. he went to Laurcns Court House.
8. c., where he worked as journeyman for
nearly two years. While there he became en-.
gagged to bc married, but the match was broken
off by the violent opposition Of the girls moth
or and friends, the ground Of objection being
Mr.. Johnson's youth and want Of pccuniary
means. In May, 1926. he returned to Raleigh.
where he procured journey work, and remained
until September. He then set out to seek his
fortune in the West, carrying with him his
mother. who was dependent upon him for sup.
port. He stopped at Grcenvillc, Tenn, and
commenced work as journcyman. He re-
mained there about fifteen months, married,
and soon aftcrward went still further westward; |;
but failing to find suitable place to settle, he
returned to Grcenville and commenced business.
Up to this time his education was limited to
reading, rs he had never had an opportunity Of
learning to write or cipher (; but under the In
structions Of his wife he learned these and 9th.
er branches. Tho only time, however, he could
devote to them was In the dead hour Of night
The first Office which he ever held was that
Of alderman Of the village, to which he was
elected in 1923. He was reelected to the same
position in 1890, and again in 1880. In that
year he was chosen mayor, which position he
held for three years. In 1895 he was elected to
the legislature. In the session Of that year ho
took decided ground against scheme Of inter-
nal improvements, which he contended would
not only prove failure, but entail upon the
State burdcnsomc debt. The measure was
popular, however, and at tho next election
(is37) hc was defeated. He became candi-
datc again in 1880. By this time many Of the
evils which ho had predicted from the internal
improvement policy which he bpd opposed four
years previous, wcrc fully demonstrated, and
he was elected by largo majority. In 1910 he
served as Presidential elector for tho State at
largo on tho Democratic ticket. He canvasscd
q large portion OF tho State, meeting upon tho
stump several OF the leading whig orators. In
isii he ives elected to the State Senate. In iS43
he was elected to Congress, where by success
I've elections no served until 1853. During this
period Of service he was conspicuous and active
in advocating respectively, the bill for refund.
ing the fine imposed upon General Jackson at
New Orleans In 1916, the annexation Of Texas,
the tariff of 1916, the war measures Of Mr..
Folks administration, and homestead bill.
In 1883 he was elected Governor Of Tcnnes-
see, after an exciting canvass, in which he was
opposed by Gustavus A. Henry. He was re-
elected In 1885, after another active contest, his
competitor being Meredith p. Gentry. At the
expiration Of his second period as Governor. In
1857, he was elected United States Senator for
full term. ending March 3, 1863.