John Telemachus Johnson

John Telemachus Johnson
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Kentucky's 5th district
In office March 4, 1823 – March 3, 1825
Preceded by	Anthony New
Succeeded by	James Johnson
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Kentucky's 3rd district
In office March 4, 1821 – March 3, 1823
Preceded by	William Brown
Succeeded by	Henry Clay
Personal details
Born	(1788-10-05)October 5, 1788 Scott County, Kentucky
Died	December 17, 1856(1856-12-17) (aged 68) Lexington, Missouri
Resting place	Lexington Cemetery
Political party	Democratic-Republican Democrat
Relations	Brother of Richard Mentor Johnson and James Johnson Uncle of Robert Ward Johnson
Alma mater	Transylvania University
Profession	Lawyer, Minister
Religion	Disciples of Christ
Signature
Military service
Battles/wars	War of 1812

John Telemachus Johnson (October 5, 1788 – December 17, 1856) was a minister in the Christian Church, an attorney, and a politician, elected as U.S. Representative from Kentucky. His older brothers, also politicians, included James Johnson and Richard M. Johnson, who served as Vice President under Martin Van Buren; he was the uncle of Robert Ward Johnson, also a politician.

Early life and education

Born at Great Crossings, in present-day Scott County, Kentucky, Johnson pursued preparatory studies after being home schooled. He attended Transylvania University, in Lexington, Kentucky.

Like his older brother Richard, he studied law. He was admitted to the bar in 1809 and commenced practice in Georgetown, Kentucky. Johnson served in the War of 1812 as an aide to Gen. William H. Harrison.

Political career

Johnson was elected as a member of the Kentucky House of Representatives, serving for five terms.

He was elected in 1818 as a Democratic-Republican to the Seventeenth Congress and reelected as a Jackson Democrat to the Eighteenth Congress (March 4, 1821-March 3, 1825). While in Congress, Johnson served as chairman of the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads (Eighteenth Congress). He declined to run in 1824.

He was appointed judge of the Kentucky Court of Appeals April 20, 1826, and served until December 30, 1826.

Johnson was ordained as a minister of the Christian Church, where he served for a number of years. He became active in publishing Christian journalism. He became editor of the Christian Messenger in 1832, the Gospel Advocate in 1835, and the Christian in 1837.

In 1836, Johnson was instrumental in establishing Bacon College at Georgetown, Kentucky.

He died in Lexington, Missouri, December 17, 1856. He was interred at Lexington Cemetery.

See also

• The Family (Arkansas politics)
• Shropshire House

References

• John Telemachus Johnson at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Allen, William B. (1872). A History of Kentucky: Embracing Gleanings, Reminiscences, Antiquities, Natural Curiosities, Statistics, and Biographical Sketches of Pioneers, Soldiers, Jurists, Lawyers, Statesmen, Divines, Mechanics, Farmers, Merchants, and Other Leading Men, of All Occupations and Pursuits. Bradley & Gilbert. p. 269. Retrieved 2008-11-10. 

External links

• John Telemachus Johnson at Find a Grave

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.