The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1909-09-24
a)V. JOHNSON PASSES
osArH coNouERs CHIEF ExEcU'
TIVE OF MINNESOTA.
CAREER OF A SELF-MADE MAN
aorn Of Humble Swedish Percentage,
Ne Rose Almost TO Presidential
Nomination.

Rochester, Mimi, Special Gov. John
Johnson died al 1875 Tuesday morn
;no The end came as he lay peace
n,lly sleeping after four days of fight
no FOR his life, following an operation
last week for an intestinal abscess.
The Governor was conscious almost
10 the end. lie seemed 10 realize that
M was dying, but he did not speak OF
n one OF the doctors felt the dying
mans pulse. After moment he ex-
claimed "He is gone" With a cry OF
despair Mrs Johnson fell upon the
dead body and burst into tears. The
death scene was most pitiful.
Ionn Albert Johnson. Governor OF
Minnesota. was born at st. Peter,
Mimi July rs. 1861. His father and
mother were Gustaye and Caroline
Johnson. who were born in Sweden and
smierated TO this country. They were
desperately poor.
he rose step by step. winning every
inch of his way by sheer force OF char
,efer educating himsef. saving every
Gent that could be saved until he en-
Tered politics and the road to fame and
honor If not great fortune, was opened
90 IlIl Al Olt illllt tt was AeAhAA
late for President of the United States
and there were many who believed him
die candidate best fitted for the high
es Office in the gift Of the nation.
AL me age of the lad vas sent 10
school just how, no one but the heroic
mother ever knew. He studied for
seven years and at the age of IL he
le.t hool to go to work and help sup
bort the family He first drove a gro
.eu delivery wagon and then obtained
Job in a drug store. A little later he
vent t0 work in a general store
al the age Of ) the boy Informed his
mother that she must quit working and
BE- would support the family. From
that time on he did.
40 the age Of - Johnson. without
prey0u, editorial experience, was made
editor of a little Democratic paper in
Bis home town. the St. Peter Herald.
HIS partner was II. J. Essler. and they
iii general printing work under r
trim name OF Essler Johnson. June
J. 1894 De married Miss Gilmore Pres.
ton .
His work as editor of party organ
took Johnson into the political field.
In 1895 he was elected 10 the State
Senate his strong qualities of personal
magnetism and popularity winning him
the post in a strong Republican dis
trict In 1902 he was defeated for re-
election as State Senator. and this in
cdent strange as IL may seem. turned
out to be fortunate for him.
IN 1894 he was nominated for Gov
ernOr BIZ the Democratic party as a
forlorn hope OF cutting down the plur-
raiiy Of the Republican party, which
had nominated man of cor
porafiOn Affiliations. but whom no one
hoped 20 defeat with the impetus OF
Theodore Roosevelt at the head of the
ticket Johnson. however. was elected
BY majority of 1000 although Roose-
welt had carried the State by 161. 900
votes Two years later he was re-elect-
ell by majority OF 72.0OO-and this in
a Republican State. In 1905 he was
elected again
During this year he was a candidate
ior The Democratic nomination for
President and. although favored by the
more conservative element of the par
W William Jennings Bryan was nomi- |
mated al Denver-and badly beaten
Governor Johnson was known as a |
friend Of the people. He forced the |
passage OF a two-cent railroad rate bill |
and compelled the binder Irvine trust |
70 cease its exactions in Minnesota.
Governor Johnson is succeeded by |
Lieutenant Governor Eberhardt. who /
vas sworn in as Governor Tuesday.