Presidential Biographies | Andrew Johnson Administration - Career

Career

Andrew Johnson always considered himself a plain workingman. He achieved success as a tailor, and his business grew. In time he became a full-time politician representing the working people of Tennessee against what he perceived as the monopoly of power wielded by the landed aristocrats of the state. Johnson grew up in a political culture defined during the era of President Andrew Jackson, when the common man gained political standing, and he held strongly to those beliefs throughout his life.

With his gregarious and combative personality and his passion for arguments and making speeches (aided by his much admired and powerful speaking voice), Johnson was elected in 1828 to be alderman of the village. Two years later he became mayor of Greeneville and served in this capacity until 1833, all the while running his growing tailor business.

Johnson...