James A. Johnson (politician)

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James Augustus Johnson (May 16, 1829 - May 11, 1896) was a U.S. Representative from California who went on to serve as Lieutenant Governor of that state.

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[edit] Early life

Johnson was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina. When we 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] External links

Political offices
Preceded by
J. A. Clarke, R. D. Hill
California State Assemblyman, 20th District
1859-1861
(with Joshiah Lefever, then Thomas J. Haliday)
Succeeded by
John Dougherty, Thomas Wright
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
Preceded by
William Irwin
Lieutenant Governor of California
18751880
Succeeded by
John Mansfield