Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson was born on December 29, 1808, in Raleigh, North
Carolina, the youngest of two sons. His father, Jacob Johnson, was a porter
who died in 1811 after saving a man from drowning. His mother, Mary
McDonough Johnson supported the family by spinning and weaving cloth in
their Raleigh cottage. At the age of 14, Johnson was apprenticed to a tailor.
In 1843 Johnson was elected to the U.S. House of Representitives and
one for following elections to retain his seat until 1853. While in the U.S.
House, Johnson supported President Polk and his handling of the Texas and
Oregon settlements and the Mexican War. Although hailing from a
Southern state, Johnson was a staunch supporter of the Constitution over
State's Rights, a position which conflicted with many Southern legislators.
Turning his sights back to state politics, Johnson won the 1853 Tennessee
election and re election in 1855. Johnson's star continued to rise, and his
term as......
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