James A. Johnson (California politician)

James Augustus Johnson (May 16, 1829 – May 11, 1896) was a U.S. Representative from California who went on to serve as the state's 14th Lieutenant Governor.

James Augustus Johnson
14th Lieutenant Governor of California
In office
December 9, 1875  January 14, 1880
GovernorWilliam Irwin
Preceded byWilliam Irwin
Succeeded byJohn Mansfield
Member of the United States House of Representatives from California's 3rd district
In office
March 4, 1867  March 3, 1871
Preceded byJohn Bidwell
Succeeded byJohn M. Coghlan
Member of the California Assembly
In office
1859–1861
Serving with Joshiah Lefever, Thomas J. Haliday
Preceded byJ. A. Clarke, R. D. Hill
Succeeded byJohn Dougherty, Thomas Wright
Personal details
BornMay 16, 1829
Spartanburg, South Carolina
DiedMay 11, 1896 (aged 65)
San Francisco, California
Resting placeWoodlawn Cemetery, Colma, California.
Political partyDemocratic
ResidenceDownieville, California
Occupationlawyer

Early life

Johnson was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina. When he was quite young he moved with his parents to Arkansas where he attended the common schools. He moved to California in 1853. He studied medicine and was graduated from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He then studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1859, then commenced the practice of law in Downieville, California.

Political career

Johnson served as a member of the California State Assembly in 1859 and 1860, representing Sierra County. He was elected as a Democrat to the U.S. House of Representatives for the Fortieth and Forty-first U.S. Congresses, serving from March 4, 1867 until March 3, 1871. He served as Lieutenant Governor of California from 1875 until 1880. After leaving office he moved to San Francisco. He served as registrar of voters in 1883 and 1884.

Death

He continued practicing law until his death in San Francisco at age 66. He was interred in the Masonic Cemetery, and in 1931 was re-interred in Woodlawn Cemetery in Colma, California.

  • United States Congress. "James A. Johnson (id: J000145)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
Political offices
Preceded by
J. A. Clarke, R. D. Hill
Member of the California Assembly from the 20th District
1859–1861
(with Joshiah Lefever, then Thomas J. Haliday)
Succeeded by
John Dougherty, Thomas Wright
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by
John Bidwell
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 3rd congressional district

1867–1871
Succeeded by
John M. Coghlan
Political offices
Preceded by
William Irwin
Acting Lieutenant Governor
Lieutenant Governor of California
1875–1880
Succeeded by
John Mansfield


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.