The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-08-05
OBITUARY.
ANDREW JOHNSON.


who died yesterday at the residence of his
daughter, in Carter county, was born De-
cember 90, 1908, at Raleigh, North Carolina.
He was, therefore, at the time OF his death,
sixty six years, seven months and two DAYS
old. His father, Jacob Johnson, a man in
humble lie, was drowned in nobly rescu-
ing Col. Thomas Henderson, editor of the
RALEIGH Gazette, when Andrew was not vet
five years old. Mother and son were left in
poverty, and the child had no opportu-
nifty to attend school at all, not
even to learn the alphabet of the English
language. AT ten years old he began, as an
apprentice, to learn the tsilor's trade, and at
the same time to struggle for knowledge. A
gentleman, who was accustomed 20 entertain
the shop hands by reading to them the
speeches of the British statesmen, did meal
cnlabie service to tho young apprentice.
He borrowed the book, which was after
wards given to him, and out OF IL first
learned the names OF ths letters, and then
advanced to spelling and reading. In 1924
when the young man was 16 years old, hav-
ing finished his apprenticeship, he went to
Laurens court house, s. c., and worked at
his trade for about two years as a
journeymsD, returning TO Raleigh in May.
1926. In September following, with his
mother, he removed to Greenville, Tenn,
which was his permanent home, with the
exception of one year spent elsewhere soon
after his marriage. until his death. He mar
ried before be was twenty years old young
woman to whose
INTELLIGENCE AND RARE WRITES
much of his ultimate success was at
tribntable. She it was, who, sitting at the
bench while he wrought with the needle,
educated the future statesman and pres
ident of the United States. She taught him,
read to him, discussed with
him the subjects read, encouraged
and urged him on, doubtless discerning the
superiority of his natural endowments. At
night, after the work of the day was over,
writing and arithmetic were diligently
not long before his mental requirements
commanded respect, and exerted leading
influence among the workingmen of Green,
Vile, who recognized, but did
not follow, his enterprisiDg exam
pie. From this beginning arose the
Johnson ever maintained as leading trait
of his political character and history. Born
and reared amid associations where the
habit was to bow down submissively
to an aristocrscy where labor was held to
be Disgrace. he advocated new and radi-
milton of labor. On this subject he was an
enthusiast. He carried the people Of his
town with him, so that in 1928, when he was
yet only twenty, or barely twenty-one years
old, he was elected alderman for two years,
and at the end of that term, was chosen
mayor of Greenville, which position he held
three years. The county court appointed
him trustee of Rhea Academy, and in 1884
be bore an active part, securing for the
state of Tennessee new and liberal c0nsti-
tuition. He was now recognized leader in
politics, his career did not stop nor delay.
In 1885 he was elected q representative
from the counties of Greene and Washing
ton on the democratic ticket, carrying the
election by the force of bis personal exer-
tons and the ability which he displayed in
discussing
POLITICAL ISSUES ON THE STUMP.
AS a member of the legislature he was indus
trious and efficient. The leading incident of
his first legislative record was a vigorous OPP
position to popular bill for internal i'm
provements which bet anne a law. Bat the
evils which in his resistance to the bill he
had predicted were realized. The schemes
for a grand system of turnpikes and
mscadamiZed roads proved a failure and
source of corruption; and although he was
defeated in 1887 because he opposed the law,
be was returned in 1889, and bis
former course was fully vindicated. In
1910 he canvassed East Tennessee in
favor OF Martin Van Buren, tor
president. in the capacity of can
didate for presidential elector at large
In the following year he was elected state
senator from Hawkins and Greene counties,
and In the discharge of bis duty made rec
ord W hich the people endorsed. He did not
stop, but in 1913 he was elected representa-
tive to congress from the first district OF
Tennessee, which included seven counties.
10 this campaign he overcame Col John A.
Askew, a popular and formidable OPP
ponent. He took his seat in
congress December, 1913. and was
continued a member for the five succeeding
terms, period of ten years. During his
service in congress he was conspicuous in
advocating bill to refund the tax imposed
on General Jackson at New Orleans, the an
nexstion of Texas, the Mexican war, the
tariff Of 1916, the forty-niRth parallel
boundary, and, most of all, homestead
up until finally he saw
in favor of the veto power was delivered
August 2 lS4S In 1858, by gerrymander
of the State in behalf OF the Wings, and
through the exertions of Gustsvus A. Henry
he was defeated for Congress to the ultimate
discontinue OF Henry. The latter was the
WING CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR,
and johnson defeated for Congress turned
round and was elected governor OF
the State over Henry. In 1856 he was
reelected governor, defeating the Hon.
Meredith p. Gentry, Wing and
ownothing, and one of the ablest men
of the state. Following Immediately on
this service, he was in 1857 elected by the
Legislature to the Senate ofthe United States,
where he took his seat on the 7th OF Deem
Der. Here he again urged the passage of the
homestead bill, which was carried through
congress, but vetoed by President Buchanan.
In 1858 he opposed the bill OF Jefferson
Davis to increase the standing army, in 1859
he urged retrenchment and fought the
proposition for Pacific railroad. He sup
i ported slavery on the ground of state rights,
and was president of the Tennessee delega
ton of the Baltimore Charleston democratic
convention IN 1860. He gave his support to
Breckenridge and Lane in that canvass, but
| wnen the design of secession became appa-
| rent be wheeled instantly into the suppoIt