Joseph F. Johnston

Joseph Forney Johnston (born March 23, 1843 in Lincoln County , North Carolina , † August 8, 1913 in Washington DC ) was an American politician, the 30th Governor of Alabama and US Senator . He was a member of the Democratic Party .

Early years and political advancement

Joseph Forney Johnston, son of Dr. William and Nancy Johnston attended public schools and then moved to Talladega , Alabama, where he went to high school , in 1860 . Johnston undertook in 1861 as a private in the army of Konföderiertenstaaten and then Captain of the 12th North Carolina Infantry . He was wounded four times in battles.

After the war, he studied law in Jacksonville , Alabama, was admitted to the bar in 1866 and opened his own legal practice in Selma . In 1884 he moved to Birmingham and was President of the State Bank of Alabama for ten years. He also became president of the Sloss Iron and Steel Company and chairman of the Alabama State Democratic Executive Committee in 1887 .

Governor of Alabama

Johnston was elected Governor of Alabama on August 3, 1896 and sworn in on December 1, 1896. On August 1, 1898, he was re-elected for a second term. During his tenure as governor, the Department of Insurance was established, the State Mine Inspector was established , and a tax commission was established to harmonize tax assessments . A law was also passed banning children under the age of 14 and women from working in dangerous jobs, and iron exports to foreign countries increased. In 1898, the Alabama Industrial School was established for the improvement and care of white orphaned and difficult-to-raise children.

Another résumé

Johnston left office on December 1, 1900 and was elected to the US Senate to succeed Edmund Pettus in 1907 , where he remained until his death. He died of pneumonia on August 8, 1913 and was buried in Elmwood Cemetery in Birmingham. He was also married to Theresa Virginia Hooper and the couple had three children together.

literature

Robert Sobel and John Raimo (Eds.): Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789–1978. Volume 1, Meckler Books, Westport, 1978. 4 volumes.

Web links

personal data
SURNAME	Johnston, Joseph F.
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	Johnston, Joseph Forney (full name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	American politician, officer in the Confederate Army
DATE OF BIRTH	March 23, 1843
PLACE OF BIRTH	Lincoln County , North Carolina
DATE OF DEATH	August 8, 1913
Place of death	Washington, DC