Jan. 18 — In 1912, he served as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention. At this point, the major political parties only held a handful of primaries. The real contest for the nomination would not begin until the summer conventions. Delegates at both party conventions routinely switched their allegiances back-and-forth between candidates at the conventions, what was often called a “brokered convention.” Democrats required a two-thirds majority by delegates to gain the nomination. Johnson arrived firmly behind New Jersey Gov. Woodrow Wilson. He steadily convinced other delegates to support Wilson, ultimately gaining the nomination after 46 rounds of voting.

— Weatherford Democrat