Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1875-08-05
his LIFE.

Andrew Johnson was born IN
Raleigh, N. c., in the year 1908; lost
his father when only four years of
age, and at ten was apprentiood to a
tailor in his native place, with whom
he served seven years. While learn
ing his trade, be resolved to make an
effort to educate him self, and having
gained knowledge Of the letters, be
borrowed book which he had often
heard read aloud. By perseverance
he learned TO read, and on cOmplet-
ing his apprenticeship, in 1924, went
to Lanrens Courthouse, whore he
was employed as journeyman tor
nearly two years. After working
again for short time at Raleigh, in
1926 he set out to seek his fortune in
the west, taking with him his mother,
who was dependent upon him for
support He obtained work at
Greenville, Tenn; remained there
about twelve months, married, after
went further westward, eventually
settling at Groenville, where he com
monced business. Up to this time
40 had merely acquired q knowledge
Of reading, but under the instructions
of Bis wife he learned writing and
oiphering, etc., after the labors Of
the day were over.
The first office he held was that of
alderman of the village, to which he
was elected in 1928; reelected in 30;
and in 1880 was chosen mayor, which
position he held for three years. In
1885 he was elected to the Legisa-
ture, when be took decided ground
against scheme ofinternal improve.
ments, which he contended would not
only fail, but entail upon the State
burdensome debt ; and on account Of
the course ho adopted, was defeated
at the next election, 10 1887. He
again became candidate in 1889,
when many Of the evils be had pro-
dicted, having been fully Demon
strated, he was elected by a large
majority.
In 1910 he served as Presidential
elector for the State at large on the
Democratic ticket, canvassing large
portion of tho State, and confronting
upon the stump several of tie leading
wing orators. la 1871 he was elect
cd to the State Senate, and in 1913
to Congress, in which, by successive
elections, he served until 1853 Dur
ing this period he was conspicuous
and active in advocating the annexa-
ton of Texas, the tariff of 1916. and
the war measures of Mr. Folks ad~
ministration. In 1853 he was elected
Governor of Tennessee, and re-elect-
cd in 1855 after q severe contest. At
the expiration Of his second term of
Office as Governor, in 1857, he was
elected as United States Senator for
full term ending March B, 1868.
On tho reelection of Mr.. Lincoln
as President, in tho autumn of 1864,
Mr.. Johnson was elected Vice-Presi>
dent, and after tho assassination of
Mr. Lincoln, April IA, was sworn in
as President April 10 The policy of
Mr.. Johnson, marked by decided
tendency to trust the Southern States
with clemency, involved him in
struggle with Congress, which caused
his impeachment in 1868 This oc
cured Feb, "a, 1868; On the motion
Of James NJ. Ashley, of Ohio, the
House Of Representatives. resolved to
impeach the President of hieh crimes,
of treason and misdvmeanor. On the
3D. of March, articles of impeachment
were agreed upon by the House of
Representatives, and on the 9th pre-
sented to the Senate OF the eleven
articles of accusation, we give the
substance of the only three on which
a vote was subsequently, taken. By
articles two and three, Mr.. Johnson
was impeaehed of high misdemeanor
in Office, for having delivered letter
of authority as Secretary for the De-
pagtment of War, when there was
not vacancy in said office, without
the advice and consent of the Senate,
then in session, in violation of the