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A. A. Johns

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American politician from Arizona
A. A. Johns
Johns, ca. 1930
Member of the Arizona Senate
from the Yavapai County district
In office
January 1919 – December 1920
Preceded byC. H. Rutherford
N. H. Getchell
Succeeded byDavid Morgan
Charles E. Burton
Personal details
NationalityAmerican
Political partyDemocratic
ProfessionPolitician

Anthony A. Johns was an American politician from Arizona. He served a single term in the Arizona State Senate during the 4th Arizona State Legislature, holding one of the two seats from Yavapai County, as well as serving as President of the Senate. He also held one of the seats from Yavapai County in the Arizona House of Representatives three times, in the 2nd, 3rd and 13th Arizona State Legislatures, serving as the Speaker of the House during the 3rd Legislature. He was a long-time resident of Prescott, and one of the largest sheepherders in Yavapai County. Other business interests included mining and construction. Other offices held included a regent for the University of Arizona, chairman of the Arizona Highway Commission, chief of the Prescott Fire Department, president of the Arizona Wool Growers Association, and vice-president of the National Wool Growers Association.

Early life

Johns was born in Cornwall, England on June 10, 1864, and immigrated to the United States as a young man. He first came to Arizona in 1882, and became involved in the mining industry. For several years he traveled around the western U. S. and Canada, in various mining jobs, before returning to Prescott, Arizona, where he became a long-time resident for the rest of his life. In 1892 he married Cora Weaver. Weaver was the first white child born in Prescott, and daughter of B. H. Weaver, one of the first publishers of the Arizona Miner, the first newspaper published in the Arizona Territory. From 1898 through 1902, Johns served as the under-sheriff of Yavapai County.

He was a long time-member of the Prescott Fire Department, serving as its chief beginning in 1900, and remaining in that capacity through 1914. His various business interests included mining. His holdings included interest in the United Eastern Mine. One of his most successful mines was the Silver King Mine. He was one of the largest sheepherders in Yavapai County. He was also one of the principal owners of the Aubrey Investment Company, which was active in various interests, including contracting. As part of the Aubrey Investment Company, Johns was responsible for construction of the first paved road between Nogales and Tucson. He also was responsible for constructing the Silver King Highway in Yavapai County. Johns was heavily involved in the Arizona Wool Growers Association, serving as its president. The association is the oldest continuous group of its kind in the United States. He also served as the vice-president of the National Wool Growers Association. He was active in the Masons, belonging to the Ivanhoe Commandery in Prescott, Arizona. He was also a long-time member of the Elks.

1910s - 1920s

In 1912, he was chosen as one of five commissioners by newly elected Governor Hunt to oversee Arizona's exhibit at the Panama–Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco. Johns had also served as one of Arizona's commissioners during the St. Louis World's Fair in 1904. In 1914 he was one of ten Democrats running for the four seats from Yavapai County to the Arizona House of Representatives. He finished second in the primary. All four Democrats won in November's general election. In 1916, Johns ran for re-election to the House, facing off against six other Democrats in the primary. He was one of the winners of the primary, and then went on to win in November's general election, returning to the House. Shortly after the election, he was considered one of the favorites to become Speaker of the House, along with T. A. Hughes and Loren F. Vaughn. The final showdown came between Johns and Vaughn, with Johns winning by a 16-15 margin. In 1917, Johns was instrumental in passing a bill apportioning funds so that the state could purchase the historic governor's mansion in Prescott.

In 1918, Johns ran for the Arizona State Senate, instead of the House, winning the Democrat's primary. He was the top vote-getter among state senatorial candidates in the November general election, outdistancing his fellow Democrat, C. P. Hicks by almost 500 votes, 2807–2315. After the election, it became apparent that Johns had the inside track to become the President of the Senate. D. H. Claridge, president of the prior Senate, withdrew from consideration, and Mulford Winsor also took his name out of the race. When the Senate convened in January 1919, Johns was selected President, without opposition. In late 1918, Johns and his partner, Jack Trenberth, attempted to sell their company, the Aubrey Investment Company, and all its assets to the state. Outgoing Governor Hunt approved the deal, but when the new governor, Thomas Campbell, unwound the deal after a negative report from the state engineer, as well as public outcry over Johns' benefitting at the cost of the taxpayers. In September 1920, Trenberth and Johns sued the state for breach of contract. In November the case was adjudicated in favor of Johns and Trenberth. In 1919 and early 1920 there was speculation that Johns would run either for the governorship or the U. S. Senate seat from Arizona in 1920. Johns eventually decided to run for re-election to the Arizona State Senate, along with Hicks. However, both were defeated in the general election in November, by Republicans David Morgan and Charles E. Burton.

In 1921, Johns and several partners formed The Commercial Acceptance Corporation in Tucson. The enterprise was engaged in several different areas, including automobile and truck sales, commercial paper, and real estate. He was also selected as a director to the Arizona Industrial Congress, in charge of their livestock division. In 1924, Johns was chosen as the chairman of the Arizona Democratic Central Committee. In 1925 he was named to the University of Arizona's board of regents by Governor Hunt. He served through the end of 1926. In 1929 a national wool organization was formed to become a centralized sales organization for the wool growers of the U. S. Johns was elected to the first board of directors.

Later life and death

In May 1932, Johns was appointed to the Arizona State Highway Commission by Governor Hunt, to serve through January 31, 1935, to fill the remainder of the term of S. R. Trengove, who had died. Shortly after his appointment, in a hotly contested move, Johns assumed chairmanship of the organization from C. E. Addams. It was thought that Hunt had appointed Johns to ensure that the bulk of the state highway funds would be utilized on the road between Globe and Showlow. The controversial appointment led to Hunt being defeated in the Democrat's primary later in 1932. In January 1933 a political showdown occurred when Governor Moeur, who had defeated Hunt in the primary, refused to recognize Johns' appointment, and appointed his own member of the commission, Ray Vyne. There was split regarding whether or not Hunt's appointment carried over into a new administration, or only until a new legislature went into session. The latter opinion was endorsed by state attorney general Arthur T. LaPrade, and when the legislature was seated in January 1933, they approved Moeur's appointment. In July 1935 Johns was arrested for drunk driving, while traveling on the Phoenix-Wickenburg highway. He was convicted and served a 30-day sentence in jail.

In 1936 Johns decided to once again run for the state legislature, this time for the House of Representatives. He defeated Tom Smith in the primary, and went on to win the general election in November. During the session of the legislature, Johns developed rheumatic fever, and was seriously ill for several months. The illness led him to refuse to run for a fifteenth consecutive term as president of the Arizona Wool Growers Association, when the group met in July. At the meeting, the group named him honorary president for life. He ran for renomination for the House seat in 1938, but was defeated in the primary by Robert E. Perkins. He ran again in 1940 and 1942 for the House seat, losing both times in the primary to Perkins. In 1943, Johns was one of the eight pall-bearers for Sharlot M. Hall.

Johns died on May 24, 1944, in Prescott.

References

  1. "History of the Arizona State Legislature 1912-1966". State of Arizona. p. 82. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
  2. ^ "Johns, Pioneer Arizona Public Servant, Dies". Tucson Daily Citizen. May 24, 1944. p. 1. Retrieved August 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "A. A. Johns of Prescott Dies". Arizona Daily Star. May 25, 1944. p. 14. Retrieved August 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "The President of the Senate". Bisbee Daily Review. March 7, 1919. p. 4. Retrieved August 4, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Pioneer". Tucson Daily Citizen. May 24, 1944. p. 14. Retrieved August 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "Two Youthful Highwaymen". Weekly Journal-Miner. November 7, 1900. p. 2. Retrieved August 4, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. "For Fourteenth Time He Is Big Chief". Weekly Journal-Miner. February 12, 1913. p. 2. Retrieved August 4, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. "Firemen Told City Needs A New Truck". Weekly Journal-Miner. November 26, 1919. p. 1. Retrieved August 4, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. "Untitled". Weekly Journal-Miner. January 24, 1900. p. 3. Retrieved August 4, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. "Untitled". Mohave County Miner. March 20, 1915. p. 2. Retrieved August 4, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. "Local News". Williams News. July 8, 1911. p. 4. Retrieved August 4, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. "Yavapai Firm Is Given Big Contract". Weekly Journal-Miner. June 6, 1917. p. 4. Retrieved August 4, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. "Wool Growers and Cattlemen Votes To Merge". Arizona Daily Star. July 11, 1923. p. 1. Retrieved August 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. "Arizona Wool Growers Is Oldest State Body of Kind In Entire U. S." The Arizona Republican. January 27, 1929. p. 10. Retrieved August 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. "Sheepmen of Arizona First To Organize". Arizona Republic. November 20, 1932. p. 33. Retrieved August 6, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. "Arizonan Among New Officers of U. S. Wool Group". Tucson Citizen. January 25, 1924. p. 8. Retrieved August 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. "Secret Societies". Weekly Journal-Miner. April 11, 1900. p. 1. Retrieved August 4, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. "Elks Honor Old-Timers". Arizona Daily Star. October 23, 1940. p. 15. Retrieved August 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. "Arizona's Panama Pacific Commissioners". Mohave County Miner. May 11, 1912. p. 2. Retrieved August 4, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. "Pioneers In Arizona Masonry Now Here---Intimate Views". Bisbee Daily Review. February 13, 1913. p. 6. Retrieved August 4, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. "Official Count Of Yavapai County". Weekly Journal-Miner. September 23, 1914. p. 6. Retrieved August 4, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. "Two Women To Be Members Of Legislature". Arizona Daily Star. November 16, 1914. p. 2. Retrieved August 4, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. "Contests Close For County Contests". Weekly Journal-Miner. September 13, 1916. p. 6. Retrieved August 4, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. "No Changes In Positions Of Candidates". Weekly Journal-Miner. September 20, 1916. p. 6. Retrieved August 4, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  25. "Who's Who In Legislature of Arizona This Year". Tombstone Weekly Epitaph. November 19, 1916. p. 1. Retrieved August 4, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  26. "Johns Slated For Speaker of House". Weekly Journal-Miner. November 22, 1916. p. 6. Retrieved August 4, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  27. "Complexion of the State Legislature One Big Question". Bisbee Daily Review. December 29, 1916. p. 4. Retrieved August 4, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  28. "Claridge Will Preside Over Next Senate". The Arizona Republican. January 7, 1917. p. 1. Retrieved August 4, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  29. "Anti-Hunt Men Control Legislature". The Tucson Citizen. January 8, 1917. p. 1. Retrieved August 4, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  30. Wanda Hoffmeyer (May 5, 1969). "Arizona Headlines". Arizona Daily Sun. p. 4. Retrieved August 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  31. "Sharlott Hall Contributed Much To Arizona's History". Arizona Republic. October 7, 1960. p. 28. Retrieved August 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  32. "Range Business". Weekly Journal-Miner. September 18, 1918. p. 6. Retrieved August 4, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  33. "Primary Vote As Cast In Various Precincts". Weekly Journal-Miner. September 18, 1918. p. 4. Retrieved August 4, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  34. "Legislature Is Democratic By Good Majority". Weekly Journal-Miner. November 20, 1918. p. 3. Retrieved August 4, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  35. "Official Count State Ticket Announced". Weekly Journal-Miner. November 27, 1918. p. 4. Retrieved August 4, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  36. "The Next Legislature". The Tucson Citizen. December 3, 1918. p. 9. Retrieved August 4, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  37. "Johns Slated For Senate President". The Arizona Republican. January 10, 1919. p. 9. Retrieved August 4, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  38. "Johns Named President of Senate as 4th Legislature Clears Decks For Action". Weekly Journal-Miner. January 15, 1919. p. 1. Retrieved August 4, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  39. "State Won't Pay For Horses and Mules and Road Equipment". The Arizona Republican. April 18, 1919. p. 7. Retrieved August 4, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  40. "State To Act To Get Rid of the Well Known Mules". Weekly Journal-Miner. April 23, 1919. p. 2. Retrieved August 4, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  41. "Aubrey Investment Company Suit To Be Pleaded Today". The Arizona Republic. September 30, 1920. p. 5. Retrieved August 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  42. "Mule Verdict Is In Favor of A. A. Johns". Weekly Journal-Miner. November 17, 1920. p. 4. Retrieved August 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  43. "Copper Queen Attorney May Seek Toga; Governorship Now Between Simms and Johns". The Tucson Citizen. January 18, 1920. p. 6. Retrieved August 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  44. "Capital Stories". The Arizona Republican. March 30, 1920. p. 4. Retrieved August 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  45. "Little Life In Senate Race; Johns In". Weekly Journal-Miner. August 4, 1920. p. 5. Retrieved August 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  46. "Final Count In Yavapai Election". Weekly Journal-Miner. November 24, 1920. p. 5. Retrieved August 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  47. "New Corporation". Bisbee Daily Review. September 22, 1921. p. 3. Retrieved August 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  48. "Tucson Gets Important New Concern". Arizona Daily Star. September 23, 1921. p. 2. Retrieved August 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  49. "Prescott Man Elected Director of Arizona Industrial Congress". The Morning Sun. August 28, 1923. p. 3. Retrieved August 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  50. "Brief Arizona Items". Casa Grande Dispatch. September 15, 1923. p. 4. Retrieved August 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  51. "Johns Named Chairman at Democratic Conference". Arizona Daily Star. September 30, 1924. p. 1. Retrieved August 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  52. "Three Regents Named On Board of University". The Arizona Republican. January 17, 1925. p. 5. Retrieved August 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  53. "National Wool Body Formed". The Arizona Republican. November 21, 1929. p. 1. Retrieved August 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  54. "Highway Board Shake-Up Seen In Appointment". Arizona Daily Star. May 22, 1932. p. 1. Retrieved August 6, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  55. "Monte Unable To Find Peace". Arizona Daily Star. May 25, 1932. p. 5. Retrieved August 6, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  56. "Ex-Governor Hunt's Governorship Timber". Arizona Daily Star. August 13, 1933. p. 16. Retrieved August 6, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  57. "Senate May Act On Appointment". Arizona Daily Star. January 10, 1933. p. 1. Retrieved August 6, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  58. "Senate Confirms Moeur's Appointee For Place On Arizona Road Commission". Arizona Daily Star. January 14, 1933. p. 1. Retrieved August 6, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  59. "Governor Wins First Test". Arizona Republic. January 14, 1933. p. 1. Retrieved August 6, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  60. "Johns Faces Driving Case". Arizona Republic. July 12, 1935. p. 1. Retrieved August 6, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  61. "Jury Convicts A. A. John". Arizona Republic. July 24, 1935. p. 21. Retrieved August 6, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  62. "A. A. Johns Starts 30-Day Jail Term". Tucson Citizen. September 5, 1935. p. 6. Retrieved August 6, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  63. "Untitled". Tucson Citizen. June 5, 1936. p. 9. Retrieved August 6, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  64. "Yavapai Treasurer Choice Is Moot". Arizona Daily Star. September 10, 1936. p. 3. Retrieved August 6, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  65. "New Men Take Solons' Posts". Arizona Daily Star. November 5, 1936. p. 4. Retrieved August 6, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  66. "A. A. Johns Recuperates From Serious Illness". Arizona Daily Star. March 26, 1937. p. 5. Retrieved August 6, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  67. "Mesan Heads Wool Growers". Arizona Republic. July 15, 1937. p. 4. Retrieved August 6, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  68. "Re-Election Asked By 17 Lawmakers". Arizona Republic. September 4, 1938. p. 2. Retrieved August 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  69. "Hot Primary Battles Loom September 10". Arizona Republic. September 1, 1940. p. 11. Retrieved August 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  70. "Yavapai Attorney Loses To Franks". Arizona Republic. September 10, 1942. p. 3. Retrieved August 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  71. "Osborn Speaker At Hall Funeral". Arizona Daily Star. April 14, 1943. p. 5. Retrieved August 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
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