John Albert Johnson was an American newspaper editor, politician, governor, and lecturer. He was the 16th Governor of Minnesota from January 4, 1905 until his death on September 21, 1909.
Background
Johnson was born on July 28, 1861, in St. Peter, Minnesota. His parents were Swedish immigrants: Gustav Jenson, who became Johnson in America, and Caroline Christine (Haddén) Johnson. The struggles incident to John Johnson's early life of poverty probably influenced his mature character and temperament. Early in his boyhood the chief support of the family fell on the mother; and Johnson, the eldest son, worked outside of school hours calling for and delivering washing for his mother, and even helping her wash the clothes.
Education
At the age of thirteen Johnson left school to work as clerk in a grocery at St. Peter, at a wage of ten dollars a month. In this period he read omnivorously - at first everything he could lay his hands on, and later books suggested by a discriminating older friend. At this time, too, he practiced oratory and debating in that favorite school of politics, the country store. His early environment gave him the ability to judge his fellows and a lasting sympathy with the common man; and despite his hardships he preserved the sense of humor and buoyancy of spirit which enabled him to struggle on in the face of discouragement.
Career
Johnson was later a clerk in a drug-store, and then in a general store in St. Peter. While he held this last position, his wages were raised enough so that he was able to assume the sole support of the family. He joined a debating club, was a member of fraternal organizations and the national guard, sang in a church choir, and was for some years secretary of the Nicollet County fair, thus entering fully into the life of his community. In the early eighties he became a registered pharmacist, but his health suffered under the confinement of indoor work, and he became a supply clerk, working for a firm of railway contractors in Iowa and Minnesota.
In February 1887 Johnson became editor and half-owner of the St. Peter Herald, at the instance of the other part-owner, and with funds supplied by townspeople interested in Johnson and convinced of his ability. Changing from a low-tariff Republican to a Democrat, to fit the policy of the Herald, Johnson flung himself eagerly into the conduct of a small-town newspaper. His lively interest in his fellowtowns-men and in broader national affairs, his sense of humor and keenness of judgment, stood him in good stead now. His share in the profits of the paper was such that after a year as editor he had repaid the money lent him to purchase his interest in the journal. Through the paper he began to be known beyond the limits of the town; his contact with other newspaper men in the Minnesota Editors' and Publishers' Association created for him a body of influential friends throughout the state.
In 1891 he was elected secretary of the association, and in 1893 he became its president. Though his district was normally Republican, Johnson was elected to the state Senate in 1898, but he failed of re-election in 1902 by a scant margin. In 1904 a split in the state Republican party gave the Democrats hope of winning the governorship, and at their state convention on August 30, Johnson was nominated by acclamation. He threw himself into the campaign vigorously, made 103 speeches in 42 days, and was elected by a narrow margin, while the Republicans carried all the other offices. Two years later he was re-elected by a majority of 72, 318 votes; and in 1908 he was elected for a third term by 27, 139, while Taft carried the state over Bryan by 86, 442. In June 1907 he was Commencement orator at the University of Pennsylvania; in December 1907, at the annual Gridiron Club banquet in Washington, he was called upon unexpectedly to speak and proceeded to captivate probably the most critical audience in the country. It was after this speech that he first was mentioned as a presidential possibility, and in 1908 his name was presented by the Minnesota delegation to the Democratic convention which nominated Bryan for the third time. Meanwhile his lecturing increased; he spoke for a Chautauqua lyceum bureau in 1908 and 1909, with growing success.
His untimely death in September 1909 plunged his state into sorrow, and has occasioned much speculation as to whether, had he lived, he might not have won the Democratic nomination which went to Woodrow Wilson in 1912.
Achievements
Politics
As governor, Johnson worked harmoniously with Republican legislatures and gave the state an intelligent and progressive administration. His message contained many recommendations for constructive legislation, some of which were enacted into laws. One of his most notable acts in office was his veto, in 1909, of a tonnage tax on iron ore, on the ground that such a measure would establish a double system of taxing a certain class of property, and that it would work too great hardship on one section of the state.
Personality
Johnson was a popular governor. During his years as governor, his talent as a public speaker attracted wide audiences, not merely in Minnesota, but elsewhere. Johnson's romantic rise endeared him to the public mind; his simple friendliness and unassuming bearing completed the conquest. He was dignified without being pompous; tall, erect, well-proportioned, with kindly gray-blue eyes and the magnetic gaiety of "the Johnson smile. "
Connections
On June 1, 1894, Johnson was married at St. Peter to Elinore M. Preston, a teacher in a local parochial school.