James Augustus Johnson (May 16, 1829 – May 11, 1896) was an American physician, lawyer, and politician. He served as a U.S. representative from California from 1867 to 1871. He went on to serve as the state's 14th Lieutenant Governor from 1875 to 1880.

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.

Congress

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.

Lieutenant Governor

He was elected Lieutenant Governor of California in 1875, serving from 1875 until 1880. After leaving office he moved to San Francisco.

Later career

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.

Federal electoral history