James A. Johnson (politician)

James Augustus Johnson ( born May 16, 1829 in Spartanburg, South Carolina, † May 11 1896 in San Francisco, California ) was an American politician (Democratic Party). He represented the state of California in the U.S. House of Representatives and was its vice- governor.

At a young age James Johnson moved with his parents to Arkansas, where he attended the public schools. In 1853 he then settled in California. He studied medicine and graduated at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. He then trained to become lawyers, was admitted to the Bar in 1859 and commenced practice in Downieville.

Johnson struck in 1859 launched a political career when he was elected to the California State Assembly, where he represented the Sierra County until 1860. On March 4, 1867, he then moved into the Congress in Washington; as a representative of the 3rd Congressional District of California, he broke from the Republican John Bidwell and remained there until March 3, 1871. From 1875 to 1880 he was then Vice Governor of California and thus deputy of Governor William Irwin.

After he resigned from his office, Johnson moved to San Francisco and worked there from 1883 to 1884 the Electoral Office. As a result, he practiced as a lawyer again, until he died in 1896.