Elisha G. Johnson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Elisha G. Johnson
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| Member of the Florida Senate from the district |
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| In office 1870–1875 |
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Elisha Graham Johnson (born January 11, 1839 – died July 21, 1875) was a doctor and a member of the Florida Senate. His death had a big impact on politics at the time.
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Who Was Elisha G. Johnson?
Elisha Graham Johnson was born in North Carolina on January 11, 1839. He was one of thirteen children in his family. His parents were Henry Johnson and Phoebe Hall.
Early Life and War Service
During the American Civil War, Elisha Johnson served in the Confederate States Army. He was part of the 69th North Carolina Infantry. He rose to the rank of Major, which is a high leadership position.
After the war, he moved to Florida. He worked as a doctor, helping people with their health. He also worked for the government's tax collection office.
A Career in Florida Politics
Elisha Johnson became involved in politics in Florida. He was first elected to the Florida Senate in 1870. The election was a bit complicated. His opponent, Charles Ross, seemed to win at first. However, there were problems with how the election was run. Some people tried to scare black voters. Because of these issues, Johnson was declared the winner instead.
Johnson was part of the Republican party. At that time, the Republicans and the conservative Democrats had an equal number of seats in the Florida Senate. Each side had 12 members. This meant that every vote was very important.
His Death and Its Impact
Elisha Johnson died on July 21, 1875. He was near Fernandina, Florida, or possibly Lake City. His death was sudden and unexpected. It broke the tie in the Florida Senate. This event had a major effect on the state's political balance.
Johnson was buried in Bosque Bello Cemetery in Fernandina Beach, Florida. He was survived by his wife, Jennie Royal. Another record says his wife was Eliza, who passed away in 1921.
