Johnson, John Albert

Johnson, John Albert, 1861–1909, American political leader, governor of Minnesota, b. St. Peter, Minn. The son of poor parents, he left school early and worked at various trades until 1887, when he became editor and half owner of the St. Peter Herald, a Democratic journal. His editorials brought him into public notice, and in 1898 he was elected state senator. In 1904 he was elected governor on the Democratic ticket in a Republican state that gave Theodore Roosevelt a two-to-one majority that year. Johnson's victory won him national fame, increased by his reelections in 1906 and 1908. His progressive administration, gracious personality, and talent for speaking made him one of Minnesota's most popular governors.