Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1909-09-23
END Came at Rochester, MINI.
Tuesday Morning
OPERATION CAUSED DEATH
WAS One of Nations Popular
Public Men

John A. johnson, three times elect
ted governor Of Minnesota and can
didate for the democratic nomination
for president of the United States, died
At Rochester, in his home state, Tues
day morning. Death resulted from
an operation performed almost week
ago.
Gov. johnson was one of the most
popular figures in latter day politics
and was looked upon by many as the
possible democratic candidate for the
presidency in the next national cam
paign. Herewith is given biograph-
ical sketch of his career:
John Albert Johnson was born of
Swedish parents Al years ago. But
as that first event took place in the
little city of St. Peter, Mimi, he was
. native American. More than that,
he was the first native son Of Minneso-
ia to be elected her governor. Gustaf
johnson and Caroline Hanson Haden
were his parents and both came from
Sweden to Minnesota in the early
sos They first met in America
however and neither kept in touch
with relatives on the other side.
Gustaf johnson, the father, was a
blacksmith by trade, and a man who
had been in the grip of an overmaster-
ing appetite for drink when he came
to America. Finally, victim Of
alcoholic dementia, he ended his life
in the county poorhouse. John John
at that time was 13 years of age and
it was at that time that he met the
first great crisis of his eventful life.
lie left school and began the selfap-
pointed task Of supporting the wild
dowed mother. After few years he
became editor Of country weekly
Eand soon entered political life.
His first nomination to office came
in 1894. He was 33 and had Just
vooed and welded Miss Elinor M.
Preston, young drawing teacher of
~, lately arrived, and they had set up
modest home together. The demo-
|crats Of the county named him for
state senator, but despite his general
Popularity and the valuable asset of
his Scandinavian birth, he was not
able to overcome the normal republi-
can majority. Named again in 1898
he made a campaign largely on state
Issues. He was elected and served at
two regular sessions and one special
session at the legislature.
The year Of 1904 found the repub-
lican party Of Minnesota rent by fac
tons and the democratic leaders saw
.aat the opportunity was ripe for them
Il they could but select the right man.
Al a conference they decided that
John johnson was that man. They
reasoned that, to start with, he was Of
swedish parentage, and that for very
PRIDE the Swedish votes of the state
would 60 to him, as they had to John
LIND. Next, he was native born
Minnesotan Of tbs best type. 1t was
cn1aracteristic of the candidate that in
sll the l03 speeches he made, reach
hs u out of 81 counties in the state,
ne never once attact the somewhat vul-
T reraole record Of Dunn, his opponent.
lne result was surprise, particularly
70 Dunn. Although Mr.. Roosevelt
sarrled the state by the tremendous
plurality Of $1,000 over Parker,
Se1nson 's s1a won over Dunn by a pluraliy
,ooo. The meaning of this was
'nat some $4,000 Roosevelt men had
also been johnson men.
After wise and useful administra-
.,on Governor johnson came before
.", ,ue people in 1906 for reelection.
"nen the votes were counted it was
.1und that he had swelled his former
plurality Of 1900 to $4,000.
uovernor johnson was again select
~ ~, as the nominee of his party last
%r. al The republicans nominated
norwegian, John F. jacobson, but
0Ihson m was reelected by large vote.
aap.g Daflng the early period of the pres
psa .n',al campaign last year he was
the seu 10 announce his candidacy for
h;s s domination. 1t was asserted by
No friends that had he done SO he
Som; ;a nave made a great fight for the
|b;s ;,,a'lon nn and spite of his opposition
t;oa aii'e was presented to the conven-
John A. johnson was not a pro-