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
Governor	William Irwin
Preceded by	William Irwin
Succeeded by	John Mansfield
Member of the United States House of Representatives from California's 3rd district
In office March 4, 1867 – March 3, 1871
Preceded by	John Bidwell
Succeeded by	John M. Coghlan
Member of the California Assembly
In office 1859–1861 Serving with Joshiah Lefever, Thomas J. Haliday
Preceded by	J. A. Clarke, R. D. Hill
Succeeded by	John Dougherty, Thomas Wright
Personal details
Born	May 16, 1829 Spartanburg, South Carolina
Died	May 11, 1896 (aged 65) San Francisco, California
Resting place	Woodlawn Cemetery, Colma, California.
Political party	Democratic
Residence	Downieville, California
Occupation	lawyer

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.

External links

• 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