William J. Johnson
Encyclopedia
William J. Johnson was a New York State businessman and politician
.
, to David Johnson and Olive Stodard Johnson. The family relocated to Frankfort, New York
, where David died in 1825. At 14, William began studies in mechanics
, and without completing a degree he began work as a contractor on public works projects.
It was his work on the New York State Canal System
from 1849 through 1856 that brought him to Seneca Falls, New York
, where he would take up residence. There he met his wife, Angelina Chamberlin, whom he wed in the summer of 1855. The couple had five sons, the last surviving of whom was Charles Chamberlain Johnson. The Johnson residence still stands on Cayuga Street in Seneca Falls, and is being developed into condominiums after years as a home for women http://www.1865condos.com/.
In 1859, Johnson entered into the manufacture of knit goods. In 1860, he was elected to the New York State Assembly
as a Democrat
, where he was a member of the Canals Committee and the Commerce and Navigation Committee.
began, he was appointed by Governor Edwin D. Morgan
as Seneca County
representative to the War Committee, responsible for procuring troops and supplies. in 1862, he assembled 1200 men at Camp Swift in Geneva, New York
. He was appointed Colonel
and led the 148th Regiment into the war. He would resign his commission and return to New York in late 1863, citing health difficulties, where he continued to support the Union
cause.
In the years following his Army
service, Johnson entered into the railroad industry as a contractor.
in the fall of 1871, as a Democrat representing the 26th District, then comprising Ontario
, Seneca, and Yates
counties. He was elected with a vote majority cited between 950 and 1500 in a primarily Republican
district. He became a member of the standing committees on Canals, Manufactures, and Grievances.
and embezzlement
scandal. As Chairman of the Special Committee investigating Tweed in the State Senate, Johnson went to meet with Tweed, who declared himself too sick to speak with the Senator. Being charged with only 30 days in which to act on the matter, Johnson used what he viewed as Republican attempts at interference as leverage to aid in the passage of his bill for the creation of an investigatory panel. "Boss Tweed" was convicted in 1873.
. He fell ill that afternoon and died hours later of unreported causes.
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
.
Early life and entry into politics
William Johnson was born on December 8, 1821 in Williamstown, MassachusettsWilliamstown, Massachusetts
Williamstown is a town in Berkshire County, in the northwest corner of Massachusetts. It shares a border with Vermont to the north and New York to the west. It is part of the Pittsfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 7,754 at the 2010 census...
, to David Johnson and Olive Stodard Johnson. The family relocated to Frankfort, New York
Frankfort (town), New York
Frankfort is a town in Herkimer County, New York, United States. The population was 7,478 at the 2000 census. The town is named after one of its earliest settlers, Lawrence Frank. The town of Frankfort includes a village also called Frankfort. The town is east of Utica...
, where David died in 1825. At 14, William began studies in mechanics
Mechanics
Mechanics is the branch of physics concerned with the behavior of physical bodies when subjected to forces or displacements, and the subsequent effects of the bodies on their environment....
, and without completing a degree he began work as a contractor on public works projects.
It was his work on the New York State Canal System
New York State Canal System
The New York State Canal System is a successor to the Erie Canal and other canals within New York...
from 1849 through 1856 that brought him to Seneca Falls, New York
Seneca Falls (village), New York
Seneca Falls is a village in Seneca County, New York, United States. The population was 6,861 at the 2000 census. The village is in the Town of Seneca Falls, east of Geneva, New York. On March 16, 2010, village residents voted to dissolve the village, a move that would take effect at the end of 2011...
, where he would take up residence. There he met his wife, Angelina Chamberlin, whom he wed in the summer of 1855. The couple had five sons, the last surviving of whom was Charles Chamberlain Johnson. The Johnson residence still stands on Cayuga Street in Seneca Falls, and is being developed into condominiums after years as a home for women http://www.1865condos.com/.
In 1859, Johnson entered into the manufacture of knit goods. In 1860, he was elected to the New York State Assembly
New York State Assembly
The New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature. The Assembly is composed of 150 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 128,652...
as a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, where he was a member of the Canals Committee and the Commerce and Navigation Committee.
Civil War
When the American Civil WarAmerican Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
began, he was appointed by Governor Edwin D. Morgan
Edwin D. Morgan
Edwin Denison Morgan was the 21st Governor of New York from 1859 to 1862 and served in the United States Senate from 1863 to 1869. He was the first and longest-serving chairman of the Republican National Committee...
as Seneca County
Seneca County, New York
As of the census of 2000, there were 33,342 people, 12,630 households, and 8,626 families residing in the county. The population density was 103 people per square mile . There were 14,794 housing units at an average density of 46 per square mile...
representative to the War Committee, responsible for procuring troops and supplies. in 1862, he assembled 1200 men at Camp Swift in Geneva, New York
Geneva, New York
Geneva is a city in Ontario and Seneca counties in the U.S. state of New York. The population was 13,617 at the 2000 census. Some claim it is named after the city and canton of Geneva in Switzerland. Others believe the name came from confusion over the letters in the word "Seneca" written in cursive...
. He was appointed Colonel
Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...
and led the 148th Regiment into the war. He would resign his commission and return to New York in late 1863, citing health difficulties, where he continued to support the Union
Union (American Civil War)
During the American Civil War, the Union was a name used to refer to the federal government of the United States, which was supported by the twenty free states and five border slave states. It was opposed by 11 southern slave states that had declared a secession to join together to form the...
cause.
In the years following his Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
service, Johnson entered into the railroad industry as a contractor.
New York State Senator (1872–1875)
Johnson was elected to the New York State SenateNew York State Senate
The New York State Senate is one of two houses in the New York State Legislature and has members each elected to two-year terms. There are no limits on the number of terms one may serve...
in the fall of 1871, as a Democrat representing the 26th District, then comprising Ontario
Ontario County, New York
As of the census of 2000, there were 100,224 people, 38,370 households, and 26,360 families residing in the county. The population density was 156 people per square mile . There were 42,647 housing units at an average density of 66 per square mile...
, Seneca, and Yates
Yates County, New York
Yates County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 25,348. The county seat is Penn Yan. The name is in honor of Joseph C. Yates, who as Governor of New York signed the act establishing the county....
counties. He was elected with a vote majority cited between 950 and 1500 in a primarily Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
district. He became a member of the standing committees on Canals, Manufactures, and Grievances.
Boss Tweed investigation
During this first senate term, then-State Senator William M. Tweed was embroiled in his corruptionPolitical corruption
Political corruption is the use of legislated powers by government officials for illegitimate private gain. Misuse of government power for other purposes, such as repression of political opponents and general police brutality, is not considered political corruption. Neither are illegal acts by...
and embezzlement
Embezzlement
Embezzlement is the act of dishonestly appropriating or secreting assets by one or more individuals to whom such assets have been entrusted....
scandal. As Chairman of the Special Committee investigating Tweed in the State Senate, Johnson went to meet with Tweed, who declared himself too sick to speak with the Senator. Being charged with only 30 days in which to act on the matter, Johnson used what he viewed as Republican attempts at interference as leverage to aid in the passage of his bill for the creation of an investigatory panel. "Boss Tweed" was convicted in 1873.
Second term
Johnson was reelected to the State Senate by a margin of less than 200 votes. In his second term as a State Senator, he was a member of the committees on Canals, Manufactures, and Militia.Death
On October 11, 1875, Johnson returned to Seneca Falls after having been in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. He fell ill that afternoon and died hours later of unreported causes.