Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1909-09-23
THE CAREER OF
HNA.jGGihiNSON
BEGAN AS POOR BOY SUPPORT
ING THE FAMILY AT THE
AGE OF THIRTEEN.
WAS DEMOCRAT EDITOR
Then Entered Polit cs, First as Sena-
tor, Next as Governor, and A.
ways Known as The Man
Who Was Square.

John Albert Johnson was born in
1861 ON farm near st. Peter, Mime.
sofa. His parents, G. Johnson and
Caroline Hadens, both natives of Swe-
den, were early corners on that wave
OF scandinavian immigration that has
peopled SO much of Minnesota. The
story of Mr.. Johnson's boyhood was
one that was simple and ideal and Of
fers one reason for his hold on the
people. 1t is not strange or an un-
precedented story, that of a fathers
desertion, of mothers struggle for
her little ones, and boys sacrifice
OF school and recreation to help the
family to live Many have had the
same, but not many had the buoyant
spirit to overcome the handicap ana
turn it to account.
1t goes without saying that the
mother of John Johnson was an excep-
uonal woman; in her face appears, in
the few portraits we have of her, the
strong and noble character that helps
TO account for the preponderance of
these qualities in Gov. Johnson. In
those days she worked hard for her
young children. John, at the age of
10, quit the school and became a wage
Garner, first in grocery, then in a
drug store. From the age Of IS he
never had another days instructions,
but has never ceased to be a student,
and was considered at the last as
well educated man, so much so that
he fully deserved the LID. which
he was entitled to write after his
name.
In two years the mother was no
longer washwoman and the other
children were at school, John worked
hard, read hard in all spare moments
and made friends with everybody. He
was interested in everything An older
friend gave him start in the right
sort of reading and he followed it up
eagerly, but he had time then for all
the activities of the village, as he had
In later life for the larger activities in
which he was thrown.
He never missed social functions.
He joined societies, sang in his
church choir and in a quartette and
was always the leader among the
young people of st. Peter.
Becomes Democrat.
By inheritance young johnson was
supposed to be republican, but while
still a young man he became q con-
vert to the democratic party on the
issue of tariff reform and when in
1886 the owners of the st. Peter Her.
aid wanted democratic editor and
also little financial help, they induced
johnson to take an interest in the
paper and become it's head. Although
not writer, and with no knowledge
OF the printing business, johnson was
wideawake and knew people and was
q successful editor from the start.
Following the bent OF his boyhood,
he continued as leader in local az
fairs and whenever anything was at
issue in st. Peter, J. johnson was the
natural leader. He finally joined the
national guard and rose to be captain
of the local company. Having had
taste for oratory, while still boy,
which he INDUCED by practicing in Sc
cret places, he began to take a mod
est part as speaker in politics. In
1894, more as an honor than with any
expectation of success. the democrats
of Nicollet county nominated him for
state senator, but he was unable to
overcome large republican majority.
He made friends, however, in the CAM
paign, and in 1898 was given second
nomination and was elected.
He belonged to the minority and did
not aspire to leadership, his tendency
being to take things easy and see what
the future would bring forth.
Attains General Notice.
Governor Johnson attained some
thing more than local reputation
In 1898. Governor Lind, who was at
the time, free silver republican and
since became democrat was bitter
opponent Of McKinley's policy OF i'm.
perialism. During the legislative ses-
sion, the governor secured the intro
duction Of a resolution condeming the
Governments course in the Philip
pines. The measure was opposed by
some republicans and few democrats
supported 1t in a desnltory way and II
was about to be put to vote when
Johnson secured the fioor His speech
was the sensation Of the session.
Throwing aside party lines, he de-
nounced the spirit that sought to put
the Minnesota legislature ON record as
critic Of the national government.
The form Of the resolution was for
the recall of Minnesota volunteer
regiment from service against the
PHILIPPINE insurgents. Senator John
son summed up his speech in these
words:
"Deplorable as I believe this war to
be. | have one belief, that we should
join together to uphold the hands OF
the government regardless OF the pol
itical course that may be endangered
by the situation / believe the regi-
ment should remain In the Philippines
as long as the stars and stripes are
liable to insult. II this be political
treason. make the most Of IT,
Other Legislative Proceedings.
d During this same session there Was