Georgia   Biographies  Herschel Vespasian Johnson

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Barbara Winge barbarawinge@yahoo.com

http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm Georgia Table of Contents:

HERSCHEL VESPASIAN JOHNSON

Herschel Vespasian Johnson was born in Burke County,
Georgia, September 18, 1812.  His parents were Moses and
Nancy Palmer Johnson.  Johnson received his degree from
the University of Georgia, read the law with William T.
Gould.  He was admitted to the bar in 1834 and started a
practice in Augusta.  He was elected to the judgeship of
the Ocmulgee Circuit of the Superior Court in 1849.

Johnson was elected to the office of Governor in 1853 and
served until 1857.  He did not believe in succession and
that was instrumental in his defeat.  He then ran for the
office of Vice-President along with Stephen A. Douglas.
After Abraham Lincoln was elected President, Johnson
still opposed secession until Georgia left the Union in
January 1861.  Although he disapproved, he did serve in
the Confederate Senate from December 1862 until April
1865.

During the War Between the State, Johnson lost his
plantation, 117 slaves, and all of his investaments.  

He died August 16, 1880 in Louisville, Georgia.  He is
buried in the Old Louisville Cemetery.

On December 11, 1858, a new county was made up from lands
of Washington, Emanuel, and Laurens Counties.  It was
given the name of Johnson.  Land from Emanuel was added
in 1862, and in 1875; from Laurens, 1858.  In 1860 land
was given up to Emanuel, again in 1862, 1866; and to
Laurens in 1874 and 1876.

WRIGHTSVILLE is the County seat.   





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