New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1911-06-28

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came a millionaire, his life
work being characterized by
pluck and pathos. As boy be learn.
ed what hardship and poverty were.
Then by rapid rise he became a mil
lionaire, only to sacrifice bis fortune
in trying to straighten out the fnan.
cial affairs of his dead brother, who
had left a widow and four children.
Tom Loftin Johnson was born in
Scott county, KY, on July Is, 1854.
The names "Tom" and "Loftin" be
selected for himself. In his early
childhood his parents agreed that he
was boy out Of common lines and
that he could decide for himself better
than they could decide for him.
Tom johnson went into the world
without the advantage Of a high
school or college education. First he
was a newsboy and as such learned
the value of a nickel and what 1t
meant to earn one. His first employ.
ment was in rolling mill, and from
the furnace mouth he went into q
railroad Office.
Starts Fortune In Indianapolis.
At eighteen he went to indianapolis,
where he lay the foundation Of for.
tune. Street railway manipulation at.
tracted him, and, with the aid of some
wealth brought to him through mar
rage to the daughter Of a prominent
man, be acquired control Of the street
railways Of Indianapolis.
In 1879, seeking new fields to con-
quer, he removed to Cleveland and
bought a smell street railway line and
In q comparatively short time by his
extraordinary energy and ability be
had effected a consolidation Of all the
street railroads in that city. Equita-
BILE treatment of bis employees and
the public spirit he displayed attract
ed attention to johnson, and he be-
came one of Cleveland's most popular
citizens.
johnson was a free trader and SIN
gle Taxer, and Henry Georges 'Prog-
ress and Poverty was his Bible. In
1888 he made his debut In politics and
narrowly missed election to congress
in q strong Republican district. In
1890 and again In 1892 he was elected.
but was defeated in 1894. His cleo
ton as mayor Of Cleveland for four
terms was only q natural sequence.
A large man, although not tall and
weighing considerably over 200 pounds.
his face full of genial humor, he was
affable and courteous to all His man.
ner was democratic to the furthest
extreme. With a fortune estimated
at upward Of $5,O00.O00, he delighted
to mingle with laboring men and dis.
cuss the theories of single tax. popu-
lism and socialism and the conditions
affecting the workingman.
It was in 1908 that Johnson an
nounced that his fortune had been
wiped out by his efforts to save the
estate of bis dead brother, AL he
gave up his magnificent residence and
his automobiles and cheerfully declar-
ed his intention to begin life anew.
He was. however, stricken with NOR
tai disease before he could recoup bis
wealth.
His Friendship For Henry George.
When Tom johnson first read Henry
Georges progress and Poverty" he
was astounded at its arguments, yet
fearful of accepting them. Turning
the book over to his lawyer. he de-
manded an unbiased opinion on It.
The lawyer reported favorably. John
son was converted and from that day
became the stoutest ally Of Henry
George and his single tax theories
He always was free trader Of the
most Incorporating type.
He sought a personal acquaintance