James Augustus Johnson (May 16, 1829 – May 11, 1896) was an American politician. He served as a U.S. representative from California; who went on to serve as the state's 14th Lieutenant Governor. Early life Johnson was born May 16, 1829 in Spartanburg, South Carolina. When he was quite young he moved with his parents to Arkansas where he attended the common schools. He moved to California in 1853. He studied medicine and was graduated from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He then studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1859, then commenced the practice of law in Downieville, California. Political career Johnson served as a member of the California State Assembly in 1859 and 1860, representing Sierra County. He was elected as a Democrat to the U.S. House of Representatives for the Fortieth and Forty-first U.S. Congresses, serving from March 4, 1867, until March 3, 1871. He served as Lieutenant Governor of California from 1875 until 1880. After leaving office he moved to San Francisco. He served as registrar of voters in 1883 and 1884. Death He continued practicing law until his death on May 11, 1896 in San Francisco, at age 66. He was interred in the Masonic Cemetery, and in 1931 was re-interred in Woodlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Colma, California. References External links 1829 births 1896 deaths California lawyers Democratic Party California state senators Lieutenant Governors of California Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives from California Democratic Party members of the California State Assembly People from Sierra County, California Politicians from Spartanburg, South Carolina 19th-century American politicians 19th-century American lawyers Burials at Woodlawn Memorial Park Cemetery (Colma, California) Burials at Masonic Cemetery (San Francisco)