The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1907-08-01
A PAUPER'S SON.
Gov. Johnson. of Minnesota, Came
From Low Rank.
father A DRUNKARD.

He Is Now a Prominent Democrat
and May Be His Party's Nominee
for the Presidency Next Year-Re
Is Very Popular With All Glasses.
And Was Elected Governor Of Els
State Twice.
Gov. John A. Johnson, Of Mime
sofa, is the son Of a pauper father.
He is now serving his second term as
chief executive of the state and is
one of the most popular officers that
Minnesota has known. He is a DEM
ocrat in a state that is overwhelming
ly Republican. in his election Roose-
welt carried the state as a candidate
for the presidency by majority of
161,4 ,464. Johnson ran 92,453 ahead
Of his ticket and was elected by a
majority Of 1926. In the election
last fall his opponent was not 'in the
running" though all other Republi-
cans on the state ticket were elected.
Gov. Johnson is "A years Of age.
He started life handicapped by odds
that would have proved insurmount-
able obstacles for man or boy with
less stamina and direct ambition. His
father was blacksmith, a descend
ant of the peasantry of Sweden. In
1853 he emigrated to this country in
an effort to get away from his old
habits. For several years he lived
without touching whiskey and mar
ried, but it was not long before he
began to drink worse than ever and
his family became burden on the
community. Finally Johnson was de-
clared a pauper and taken to the
poorhouse, where he died from al
coholism. Then the mother began to
struggle for the life of the family
It is matter of record that in Gov
Johnson's first, campaign for the gov
ernorship his opponents carried signs
which read. "His Father was a Pau
per-" and Ellis Mother took in
Washing"
While boy Johnson aided his
mother before and after school hours,
until he reached the High school, at
13 years Of age. Then he declare{ !
he would learn trade and prepared
to become druggist. From tna@
time he was the chief support. OF thG
family. In all those years the un-
dertaker was the only creditor Of the
family. Three deaths served to take
all the spare money from the family
and ruined Johnson's opportunity or
taking course in pharmacy. Later
he sought employment in a depart
ment store, position which yielded
better pay, but less opportunity Tor
study. At one time he sought en-
ployment outside of his home town,
the village Of St. Peter, but he de-
clared he would live down the repu-
tation Of his father and remained at
home with his mother. The day
came when he was enabled to pay on
the mortgage on his fathers old cot
tage and pay for the education or MS
brother and sister.
After several years a friend inter-
ested Johnson in the st. Peter Her
aid. a Democratic newspaper IN a
Republican community. Johnson TOOK
I'D with the proposition and became
editor of a country newspaper. He
became an officer in the State Press
association. Here began his pol1tlcais
aspirations. Twice he was defeated
as candidate for state senatorsnlp.
On his third trial he was elected. HIS
record as a minority member brougnt
him into prominence, and later into
| the chair of the ceief executive. re
is the idol of the people of the state
he is serving, simply, because as ne
puts TT Just tried to make good.