Andrew Johnson, 1853-1857 (civil): 1862-1865
(military). Democrat. Born into poverty in North
Carolina in 1808. Johnson had no formal education. He
taught himself to read and learned the tailor's trade.
He came to Tennessee in 1826 and set up a tailor's
shop. He served as alderman, mayor, member of the
state House, member of the state Senate, member
of Congress, vice president under Abraham Lincoln,
president upon Lincoln's death, and member of the
U.S. Senate. As military governor he paved the way
for Tennessee to rejoin the Union after the Civil War
and pushed for the first tax for public education. As
president of the United States he was impeached for his
lenient Reconstruction policies and escaped conviction
by one vote. He died in 1875.
Tennessee Blue Book - Available at www.tennessee.gov - Transcribed by, Amanda Jowers
Another Bio
Andrew Johnson was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Dec. 29, 1808. His family was poor and
unable to provide for him to attend school. Half - orphaned at the age of 4 by the death of his father, the boy
6 years later became a "bound apprentice" to a local tailor. In 1826 Andrew and his mother crossed the
mountains and arrived at Greeneville, Tennessee. There he opened a tailor shop, applied himself to his work by
day, and studied at night the "three R's" under the guidance of a devoted wife. His earnest attitude
about work and learning impressed those around him. In 1828 he was elected alderman and two years later became
mayor of Greensville. From there his rise to political fame began. He served several terms in the State Legislature,
10 years as Congressman, and 4 years as Governor, became a U. S. Senator and Vice President of the United States,
and up on the death of Abe Lincoln became the President of the United States.
Perhaps no man ever assumed the duties of the presidency under more difficult
conditions. A 4 year war had ended, but peace had not arrived. Civil strife was rampant and "Reconstruction"
was being implemented in the southern states. President Johnson who believed in a lenient reconstruction policy,
was impeached by the radical leaders of Congress and escaped conviction by just 1 vote. In the face of bitter political
opposition in Congress, Johnson's administration was marked by a display of courage, wisdom, & honesty. He
retired from the office in 1869, and later was returned to the U. S. Senate, the only President ever to be thus
rewarded. He died on July 31, 1875, and was buried in Greeneville where a 27-foot monument bears the inscription,
"His faith in the People never wavered".
Contributed by, Brenda Neely
