The New Student's Reference Work/Johnson, Richard Mentor

Johnson, Richard Mentor, vice-president of the United States, was born in Kentucky in 1780. He was a state legislator; then a member of Congress from 1807 to 1837, ten years out of the thirty being a senator. In the War of 1812 he did good service on the Canadian frontier. In the battle of the Thames he was badly wounded, but is said to have killed the celebrated Tecumseh. In 1836 he was elected vice-president. He died at Frankfort, Ky., Nov, 19, 1850. He was distinguished for gentleness of manners and kindness of nature.