The Democrat-sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1906-1935, 1909-09-23
GOVERNOR JOHNSON, DEAD.
From a Poor Printer Boy He
Rose to Be a Great National
Character

Rochester, Mimi, Sept. 2l.-
Governor John A. johnson died at
1926 O'Clock this morning. The
end came with Mrs. johnson at
his bedside. 1t followed week
of intense suffering after the op.
Grafton the patient underwent at
st. Mary's hospital. This was the
fourth time Mr.. johnson had been
under the knife. The first opera
tion took place ~ years ago. At
the second, some time later, the
governors appendix was removed.
Two succeeding operations, in
cluding the one just performed,
were for abdominal adhesions.
The governor was conscious almost
to the last and realized that he
was dying.
The governor began sinking
rapidly at 8 o'clock last night, and
after that it was felt there was
little hope of his surviving the
night.
At that time the doctors stated
that the governor was in weak
ened condition, and while they
still expressed hope of his recov-
cry, they announced his death at
any time would not occasion sur
prise.
Governor johnson was born in
st. Peter, Mimi, July %, 1851.
His father and mother were both
immigrants from Sweden. Gustav
johnson was the village black
smith. He was big, brawny man,
who had come across in 1858 to
escape from boon companions with
whom he had acquired convivial
tastes. He married in Minnesota,
Caroline Haden, an orphan, who
had come alone from the same
kingdom. She was woman of
deep religious convictions, full of
ambition and far above the aver
age in intelligence.
The boy was bright in school
and was leader in all amuse-
ments. He was a great swimmer
and won many prize. During
the early married life of the John
son couple the father faithfully
wrought at the forge and anvil,
but about the time the youth had
reached his twelfth year the black
smith had gone down to the dregs.
His shop became the carousing
retreat for his associates.
There were SIX children by that
time, and the mother sought work.
She found it at the washtub. The
boy got job in printing office
and at once the future career was
marked out. He worked the bel
lows in the blacksmith shop, now
passed into other ownership. He
sold newspapers and carried the
pennies home.
When he was l3 the father had
disappeared, and the boy became
the mothers aid and big man. Be-
fore he found employment in a
grocery he helped his mother de-
liver the washing committed to
her care. Soon he persuaded his
mother to quit her slavish work
and depend entirely upon his
wages in the grocery. His rec
reation was playing baseball, and
even until his death the season
found him eager to witness a COM
bat on the diamond.
When he was Is he entered
drug store and studied, as best he
might, pharmacy. Soon Minneso.
ia exacted an examination of phar-
macists and young johnson Sc
cured license for his proficiency.
He had no political traditions of
his family to follow and was al
ways open to conviction.
The owner of the drug store was
Democrat. But there was no
newspaper of that party faith
printed in st. Peter. Nicolet
county was fast growing in impor-
tance. Some of the young Demo-
Gratis gave Johnson support and he
encountered printer, Henry j.
Essler, who became his partner.
They founded the "Herald."
Next began his political career
His editorial work was Loyalty
Democratic. He made campaign
speeches and was wanted in all
the counties nearby. When Bryan
was nominated at Chicago in 1896
Mr.. johnson gave him cordial per-
sonal endorsement.
The "Herald" supported Bryan,
but Its chief argument was that
Bryan represented the common
people and knew their needs, that
he was against McKinley's high
tariff ideas, which he declared
were In the interests of the trusts.
Next he was named by the Dem
Ocrats for the State Senate in his
strongly Republican district. He
was elected.
In 1902 Johnson was renominat.
ed for the Senate, but was beaten
by AZ votes. Two years later he
was nominated by the Democrats
for governor. The Republicans
apraa6 tha afnru that his fotLo.