Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1865-05-04
Sketch of the Life of President
Andrew Johnson,

Andrew Johnson, who has become President of
the United States in consequence of the death of
Mr.. Lincoln, was born in Raleigh, y C., Dec. %.
1908. When he WAS four years Of age he lost his
father, who died from the effects Of excrtions to
save n friend from drowning. At the age Of ten
he Was apprenticed to q tailor in his native city
with whom he served seven years. His mother
was unable to afOrd him any educational adyan-
tages, and he never attended school day in his
lie When learning his trade. however, he re-
solved 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.
gentleman of Raleigh was in the habit of going
into the tailOrs shop and reading while the ap-
prentice and Journeymen were at work. He was
an excellent reader, and his favOrite book was a
volume OF speeches, principally of British states
men. Johnson became Interested, and his first
ambition TO equal him as a reader and be-
come familiar with those speeches. tie took IN
the alphabet without instructor; but by apply
ing to the journeymen with whom he worked p he
obtained little assistance. Having acquired
knowledge OF the letters. he applied for the loan
of the book which he had go often heard read
The owner made him a present of it, and gave
him some instruction oil the use of letters in the
formation OF words. Thus his first exercises in
spelling were in that book. b. perseverance lie
soon learned to read, AMI the hours which he de-
voted 70 his education we're az night after he was
through with his daily labor upon Ilc shop board
hours every nigh, after working from ten TO
twelve hours at his trade. II,v;ng completed his
Apprenticeship in the autumn of 1921, he went to
Laurens Court House, ). c., where he worked as
journeyman for nearly two years. While there
he became engaged to be hurried, bat the match
Was broken of by the violent opposition of the
girls mother and friends, the ground Of objection
being Mr. John on's youth and want of pecuniary
means. In May, 1896, he returned to Raleigh
where R procured journey work, and remained uu-
Ill September. He then set on: to seek his for
tune in the West, carrying with him his mother,
who was dependent upon him for support. He
stopped at Creenville, Tenn, and commenced
work jOurneyman. He remained there about
twelve months, married, and soon aftcrward welt
stil further WESTWARD but failing TO inl 4 suita-
bic place TO settle, he Tsturne to Greenvi!le and
commenced business. u, to this time his educ,-
ton WAS limited TO reading, as he hId never had
an opportunity of learning 10 write or cipher, but
under the instructions of his wife he learned these
and other branches. The only time, however, he
could devote 70 them in the dead of night.
The FIRST Office which he ever held that of
Alderman of the village, 20 which he was elected
in 1928 He was re elected 10 the same position
in 1922 and again in 1899. In that year he was
chosen Mayor. which position he held for three
years. In 1895 he was elected 10 the Legislature
Ia the session OF that year he took decided ground
againsta scheme of internal improvements, which
he contcndcd would not only prove q failure, but
entail upon the State burienSOme debt. The
measure popular, however, and at the next
election (lS37) he defeated. lie became
candidate again in 1899. By this time mtny of
the evils he had predicted from, the internal i'm
provemcnt pJlicy which ne lad opposed four years
previous were fully demonstrated and he WAS
elected by large minority. In lS4) he served as
Presidential electOr for the State at large on the
Democratic ticket He canvassed large portion
OF the State, meeting upon the stump several Of
the leading Wing orators. In Sal he was elected
to the State Sesate. In lSi3 he was elected TO
Congress, where BY successive elections, he served
until 1853. During this period o. service he was
conspicuous and active in advocating, respectively
the bill for reiunding the fine imposed upon Gen.
Jackson At New Orleans in 1915, tie annex alton
ofTexas, the tariff of 1876, the war measures Of
Mr.. Folks administration, and homestead bill.
In 1883 ne was elected Governor of Tennessee af
ter IN exciting canvass, in which he was opposed
BY Gustavus A. Henry. He was reelected in
1855, after another active contest, his competitor
being Meredith P. Gentry. A the expiration of
his second period rs Governor, in 1851, he was
elected United States Senator for full term. end
ing March3 1863. In consequence Of the South
ern rebellion, in which the State of Tennessee par
Ecipated, there was no election OF successor to
Mr.. Johnson in the Senate, and he consequently
retired from that body. Immediately thereafter,
Nashville having been captured by the Federal
forces, and considerable portion Of the State be-
ing occupied, he was appointed by President Lin
coin Brieadier General and Military Governor of
Tennessee, which position he continued to hold up
to the 4lh Of March, when he resigned enter up
on the duties of Vice President, to which Office he
had been elected in November. On the 18th of
April ia consequences of the death of Mr.. Lincoln,
be became President Of the United States. and
Was sworn into Office by Chief Justice Chase.