The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1865-03-30
BIOGRAPHY OF ANDREW JOHNSON.

The following biographical sketch
If Andrew Johnson, the Vice Presi-
lent, is furnished by the American
Encyclopedia
Andrew Johnson, U. S. Senator
rom Tennessee, born in Raleigh, NC
Dec. 90, 1903. When lie was four
years Of age, he lost his father. who
lied from eXcrtions to save friend
from drowning. At the age OF ten he
was apprenticcd 10 a tailor, in his ma
tive city, with whom he served seven
years. His mother was unable to az !
ford him any educational privi-
legcs, and he ncvCr attended school
day in his life. While learning his
trade, however, he resolved TO make
an effort to educate himself. His anx.
iety to learn to read was particularly
excited by an incident which is wor
thy of mention. A gentleman in
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 fayorite book was volume OF
speeches, principally of British states
men. Johnson became inter csted,
and his first ambition was to equal
him as Il reader, and become famil-
lar with those speeches Hc took up
the alphabet without an instructor
but by applying 10 the journcymcn
with whom he worked, he obtained a
little assistance. Having acquired a
knowledge of the letters. he applied
for the loan of the book which he had
so often heard read. The owner made
him a present of it, and gave him
some instruction on the use Of letters
in the formation Of words. Thus his
first exercises in spelling were in that
book. BY perseverance, hcsoon learn
ed TO read, and the hours which he de-
voted to education were ut night, af-
ter he was through his daily labor up
on 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 Court. House, S. c., where he
worked as a journey for nearly
two years. While there, he became
engaged TO be married, but the match
was broken of by the violent oppos,
ton of the girls mother and friends,
the ground of the objection beng Mr.
Johnson's youth and want of pecuni,
ary means. In May, 1926. he return
ed to Raleigh, where he procured
journey work, and remained until
September, He then set out to seek
his fortune in the v est, carrying with
him his mother, who was dependant
upon him for support He stopped
at Grcenville, Tenn, and commenced
work as ajourncyman. He remained
there about twelve months, married,
and soon afterward went still further
westward; but falling to find suila-
bic place TO settle, he returned 10
Greenville and commenced business.
Up to this time, his education was
limited to reading, ~ he had never
had an opportunity of learning TO
write or cipher; but under the in
structions of his wife he learned these
and other branches. The only time,
however. 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, lie
was reelected to the same position in
1929, and again in 1890. In that year
he was chosen mayor, which position
he held for three years. In 1885, he
was elected to the legislature. In
the session of that year, he took de-
cdcd ground against .schcme of in
ternal improvements, which he con
tended would not only prove II failure
but entail upon the State burden.
some debt. The measure was popu'
lar, however and at the next election
1S37) he was defeated, He became
candidate again in 1889. By this
time, many of the evils which he had
predicted from the internal improve
ment policy, which he had opposed
four years previous, were fully demon
stratod, and he was elected by large
majority. In 1910, he served as pres
idcntial clector for the State at large
on the democratic ticket. He can
vassed a large portion of the State
meeting upon the stump, scvera! o.
the leading whig orators, In 1871 he
was elected to the State senate. In
lS43 he was elected to Congress
where, by successive elections, hi
sci we'd until 1853. During this pcrioC
of service, he was conspicuous anc
active in advocating, respectively
the bill for refunding the fine i'm
posed upon General Jackson at New
Orleans, in 1915, the annexation o
Texas, the tariff OF lS46, the wal
measures Of Mr.. Polk's administration
aud a homestead bill. In 1853, ht
was elected governor Of Tcnnesse, at
ter an exciting canvass, in which hC
was opposed by Gustavus A. Henry
He was reelected in 1856, after an
other active contest, his competitor
being Meredith P. Gentry. At thu
expiration of his second period as gov
crnor, in 1857, he was elected Unitec
States Senator for full term, ending
March 3, 1863. IA 9,5eals4 oe
H@- A sweet girl is sort of divinity
TO whom even the scriptures do no
- :. ~ i Ia IL ""