History of Shiloh, (Rutherford County) Tennessee United States of America

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George W. Johnson, governor of Kentucky, was born near Georgetown, Ky., May 27, 1817; son of William Johnson and grandson of Col. Robert Johnson, a pioneer settler of Kentucky. George was graduated from Transylvania university, studied law and practised in Georgetown, Ky. He abandoned the law and turned his attention to agriculture, engaging in farming in Kentucky and cotton planting in Arkansas. He was a representative in the state legislature, 1838-40, and was twice defeated for Democratic presidential elector. He was chairman of the committee appointed to wait upon Cassius M. Clay and seize the press and other printing apparatus of the True American and ship them to Cincinnati, Ohio, Aug. 14, 1845. He was despatched by Governor Magoffin, Aug. 19, 1861, to President Davis, to elicit his assurance that Kentucky's neutrality would be respected. In company with John C. Breckinridge and others, he labored to place Kentucky by the side of the seceding states. He introduced the organization of a provisional government for Kentucky, which was brought into effect by the convention held at Russellville, Ky., Nov. 18-21, 1861. A constitution was adopted, Mr. Johnson was elected provisional governor on Nov. 18, 1861, and on Dec. 10, 1861, Kentucky was admitted as a member of the Confederacy. Governor Johnson was mortally wounded while fighting as a private in the 4th Kentucky regiment at the battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862, and was succeeded by Richard Hawes. He died at Shiloh, Tenn., April 9, 1862.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of Shiloh, (Rutherford County) Tennessee

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