4th California Governor. A member of the American or "Know-Nothing" party, he was elected the fourth Governor of California in 1855. During his administration, California's first railroad was completed and the first wagon road over the Sierra Nevada Mountains was opened. Johnson provided funding for the new State Capitol but had difficulty controlling the San Francisco Vigilance Committee, which summarily lynched suspected wrongdoers. He was not a candidate for re-election in 1857, and left office the following year. After relocating to Reno, Nevada, he served as President of the Second Nevada Constitutional Convention.
4th California Governor. A member of the American or "Know-Nothing" party, he was elected the fourth Governor of California in 1855. During his administration, California's first railroad was completed and the first wagon road over the Sierra Nevada Mountains was opened. Johnson provided funding for the new State Capitol but had difficulty controlling the San Francisco Vigilance Committee, which summarily lynched suspected wrongdoers. He was not a candidate for re-election in 1857, and left office the following year. After relocating to Reno, Nevada, he served as President of the Second Nevada Constitutional Convention.
Bio by: Thomas Fisher
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