James A. Johnson (California politician)

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 U.S. 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 66) San Francisco, California
Resting place	Woodlawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Colma, California.
Political party	Democratic
Residence	Downieville, California
Occupation	lawyer

James Augustus Johnson (May 16, 1829 – May 11, 1896) was an American physician, lawyer, and politician. He served as a U.S. representative from California from 1967 to 1971. He went on to serve as the state's 14th Lieutenant Governor from 1875 to 1880.

Early life

Johnson was born May 16, 1829, 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.

Congress

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.

Lieutenant Governor

He served as Lieutenant Governor of California from 1875 until 1880. After leaving office he moved to San Francisco.

Later career

He served as registrar of voters in 1883 and 1884.

Death

He continued practicing law until his death on May 11, 1896, in San Francisco, at age 66. He was interred in the Masonic Cemetery, and in 1931 was re-interred in Woodlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Colma, California.

Federal electoral history