Having discovered a penchant for debating and public speaking he joined a local colleges debate club, and walking 4 miles each way to join in Tusculum College’s debate activities. It was in 1829, when fellow Tennessean Andrew Jackson was inaugurated as the seventh President of the United States, and Johnson was elected for the first time, as an alderman. He did so well as alderman, he was re-elected in 1830, and never ceased running for public office afterwards. (Trefousse, 2010)
Mayor
According to the Greeneville Mayors Book, Johnson remained an alderman until 1834, when he was elected Mayor of Greeneville at only 26 years old, which he would remain on and off for the next four years. His time as Mayor was uneventful, other than the time when he was charged with assault and battery, the complainant didn’t show up to the hearing, and the charge was dropped. In 1834 he resigned …show more content…
This was the last time he lost an election, running and winning again in 1839.
In 1840 he was appointed on of the two Tennessee state electors, and this gave him the chance to campaign throughout the state, and introduce himself to other areas of the state, which would be needed for his rise in the state Democratic party, in a debate in Greeneville, Tennessee Governor (and future 11th president) James K. Polk, said that Johnson was Greatly the Whigs Superior in the debate. (Trefousse, 2010)
By this time, Johnson had become a wealthy businessman, in the real estate business, and as was customary of wealthy people, had begun to purchase slaves. He had owned 8 or 9 slaves, and his first slave was a woman named Dolly. In addition to owning slaves, men of his importance had to have their picture taken, and in 1842, he had his first daguerreotype
Mayor
According to the Greeneville Mayors Book, Johnson remained an alderman until 1834, when he was elected Mayor of Greeneville at only 26 years old, which he would remain on and off for the next four years. His time as Mayor was uneventful, other than the time when he was charged with assault and battery, the complainant didn’t show up to the hearing, and the charge was dropped. In 1834 he resigned …show more content…
This was the last time he lost an election, running and winning again in 1839.
In 1840 he was appointed on of the two Tennessee state electors, and this gave him the chance to campaign throughout the state, and introduce himself to other areas of the state, which would be needed for his rise in the state Democratic party, in a debate in Greeneville, Tennessee Governor (and future 11th president) James K. Polk, said that Johnson was Greatly the Whigs Superior in the debate. (Trefousse, 2010)
By this time, Johnson had become a wealthy businessman, in the real estate business, and as was customary of wealthy people, had begun to purchase slaves. He had owned 8 or 9 slaves, and his first slave was a woman named Dolly. In addition to owning slaves, men of his importance had to have their picture taken, and in 1842, he had his first daguerreotype