The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1865-04-28
AndreW johnson, the NesU Presi-
dent.
SKETCH OF HIS LIFE, PUBLIC AND PRl-
NATF.
From the American Encyclopedia

/ NA1f-
From the American Encyclopedia
Andrew johnson was born in Raleigh.
n. c., December 30, 1905 When be
was four years of age he lost his father,
who died from the effects of eNerfiOnS 10
save friend from drowning, AT the
age of ten he was apprenticed TO a tailor
in his native city, with whom he served
seven years. His mother was unable to
afford him any educational advantages.
and he never attended school a day i'm his
life While learning his trade. however.
he resolved 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 the tailor's shop and reading while
the apprentices and journeymen were at
work He was an excellent reader, and
his favorite book was volume of speech
es. principally of British statesmen. john
son became interested, and his first ambi-
ton was TO equal him as reader and be-
come familiar with those speeches He
took up the alphabet without an instruct
or: but by applying TO the journeymen
with whom he worked. he obtained Ill
tie assistance Having acquired :. knowl-
edge of the letters, he applied for the loan
of the book which he had 50 often heard
read. The owner made him present OF
ii, and gave him some instruction ON the
use of letters I'm the formation OF words.
Thus his first exercises In spelling were IN
that book. By perseverance he soon
learned TO read. and tie hours which he
devoted TO his education Were al night al
ter he was through his daily labor upon
the shop board. He now applied himself
TO books from two 10 three hourS cre-y
night, after working from Ten 10 twelve
hours AT his trade Having completed
his apprenticeship in the autumn Of >2i,
he went TO Laurens Court House. : c.
where he worked as a journeyman for
nearly two years. While there he engaged
TO be married, but the match MAS lroken
off by the violent opposition OF the girls
mother and friends. the ground of ohjee-
ton being Mr. Jollnson's youth and want
of pecuniarv means. In Nav. 1926, he
returned 10 Raleigh. where he procured
Journey work, and remained until Seltem-
Der. He then SET ont 70 seek his fortune
IN the West. carrying with him his moth
er. who WAS dependent upon him tor sup
OFT. He stopped at Greenyille, Tenn,
and commenced rs a journeyman. He re-
mained there about twelve months. mar
ried. and soon afterw;lrl went sill fur
ther westward. but failing to find a suit
/ able place TO settle. he returned TO Green
: Vile and commenced business Up 10 this
time his education WAS limited TO read
ing, as he never had an opportunity #
learning TO write or cipher: but under the
instructions of his wife he learned these
and other branches The only time. how
ever, he could devote TO them was in the
dead of night The first Office which he
ever held was that of alderman of the
village. TO which he was elected in 1928.
He was reelected 10 the same position in
1929. and again in 1850. In that Year
he WAS chosen mayor. which position lac
held for three wears In 1885 he MAS
elected 10 the legislature In The session
of that wear he took derided rround against
a scheme of internal improvements which
he contended would not ONLY prove a fall
ure. but entail upon the state a bun'lensome
debt The measure WAS popular. how
ever. and Al the next election QS31D he
was defeated He became a candidate
AGAIN in 1889 by this time MANY OF the
evils he had predicted from the internal
: improvement policy, which he had OPP
posed four years previous. were fully
: demonstrated, and he was elected by 4
large majority. In 1910 he served aS
: presidential elector for The stale II large
on the democratic ticket lie canvaSSed
e large portion of the stale. meeting upon
: the stump several of the leading wing or
I ators. In 1871 he was elected 10 the stale
G senate. In 1913 he was elccied 10 Con-
gress, where, 10y successive elections. he
served until 1853. During this period OF
: service he was conspicuous and active IN
: advocating respectively, The hiil for re-
funding the fine imposed upon Gen Jack
= son at New Orleans in 1915, the annexa-
d iion of Texas, the tariff OF 1916. the war
d measures OF Mr.. Polk's administration.
4 and homestead hill In 1853 he was
o elected governor of Tennessee, after an
"a exciting canvass I'm which he WAS opposed
by GuStavus 4. Henry He Was re-elect-
ed i'm 1855. after another active contest,
!. his competitor being Meredith T. Gentry
At the expiration oshis second period a
governor. in 1857, he was elected United
ID States senator for full term. ending Mar