Johnson City was not named for Andrew Johnson

JOHNSON CITY, Tennessee -- Many persons believe, with solid rationale, that Johnson City, Tennessee was named for Andrew Johnson, a native of nearby Greeneville, Tennessee.    Andrew Johnson was Congressman from the First Congressional District and also served Tennessee as Governor and U.S. Senator.  He became President following Abraham Lincoln's assassination in 1865.

As shown on the Political Graveyard website, Andrew Johnson's resume is as follows:

• Johnson, Andrew (1808-1875)  Born in Raleigh, N.C., December 29, 1808. Mayor of Greeneville, Tenn., 1830; member of Tennessee state house of representatives, 1835; member of Tennessee state senate, 1841; U.S. Representative from Tennessee, 1843-53; Governor of Tennessee, 1853-57, 1862-65; U.S. Senator from Tennessee, 1857-62, 1875; Vice President of the United States, 1865; President of the United States, 1865-69. In 1868, was impeached by the House of Representatives; tried and aquitted by the Senate. Died, after a series of strokes, at his daughter's home in Carter County, Tenn., July 31, 1875. Interment at Andrew Johnson National Cemetery, Greeneville, Tenn.

Andrew Johnson was a contemporary of Johnson City's founder, Henry Johnson, but there is no record of their personal relationship or their being relatives. 

A little-known fact as shown above in the resume is that Andrew Johnson had been reelected to Congress and was serving in the U.S. Senate at the time of his death in 1875, only 7 years after the famous impeachment trial.

Special Report:  The Impeachment of Andrew Johnson.