George W. Johnson

In today's political arena where honesty and morals are often viewed as archaic

it is indeed rare to view a politician who had the moral fiber to stand up and be

willing to give his life for beliefs he held. One such person was George W.

Johnson. Mr. Johnson has been ignored by history when in fact he should be held

up as an example for all. He truly believed in a cause and made the ultimate

sacrifice for this. George W. Johnson was the only Civil War governor to die of

wounds he received in battle. You may say that he lived in a different time and

their beliefs are as dated as those that lived in that peroid. I would say that

morals and character should know no time peroid and in our uncertain times are

more important than ever.

George W. Johnson's family was among the early settlers of Kentucky and was very

influential in this state. His grandfather, Robert Johnson, served in the

Revolutionary War and was in fact a Colonel in that great conflict that won our

freedom from English rule. Those that served in this great conflict were viewed

as traitors by the British goverment but, are viewed as heros today in our

country.

George W. Johnson was born on May 27, 1811 in Georgetown, Kentucky. Mr. Johnson

attended Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky in the early 1830's and

graudated from there with 3 degrees including one in law.

Mr. Johnson opened a law office but soon found he was more interested in

agriculture than law. He closed his law office and began farming on 300 acres of

land outside of Georgetown. He also operated a 1,000 acre farm in Arkansas where

he resided in the winter months.

Another area in which Mr. Johnson was interested was politics. He was known in

Kentucky as a fair and honest politican. It was with his help that Kentucky

became a Democratic stronghold. He continued to build a strong political

following and was offered nominations for both the lieutenant governship and a

bid for the U. S. Congress. He declined both to remain in "private life".

However, he was elected to the Legislature in 1838 representing Scott County. He

made the race for Presidential Elector in 1852 and 1860. He declined repeatedly

to be a candidate for Congress and acquired great political power in his party.

At the very outbreak of the civil war he cast his lot with the South, and used

every exertion to induce Kentucky to follow the seceded States. He was largely

instrumental in organizing a provisional government for the State. On November

18, 1861 the convention assembled at Russellville for that purpose, and he saw

his desires carried into effect. A constitution for the State was adopted, under

which Kentucky was admitted under the Confederacy, and he was chosen Provisional

Governor.

After the Confederacy was compelled to move from the southern part of the state

he accompanied the army. He took the oath of a private, and enlisted in Company

E, Fourth Kentucky Infantry. He was wounded at the Battle of Shiloh on April 8,

1862 and died of his wounds the next day. I wonder what thoughts were on his

mind as he reached the decision to enlist. I am sure his family weighed heavily

on his mind as he came to the conclusion that the needs of the many outweighed

the needs of the one. Those who knew him remembered him as a brave, generous and

noble hearted man. He left a wife and seven children to mourn him.

 

 

 

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