ST. JOHN, John Pierce, governor of Kansas, born in Franklin county, Indiana. 25 February, 1833. In early years he was employed on his father's farm, and was clerk in a grocer's store. In 1853 he went to California, worked in various capacities, and made voyages to South America, Mexico, Central America, and the Sandwich islands, and served in wars with the Indians in California, and Oregon. In 1860 he removed to Charleston, II1., to continue the study of law, which he had begun in his miner's cabin. Early in 1862 he enlisted as a private in the 68th Illinois volunteers, in which he became a captain. At Alexandria, Virginia, he was detached from his command, and assigned as acting assistant adjutant-general under General John P. Slough, in 1864 he was placed in command of the troops at Camp Mattoon, Illinois, and on the ort4"anization of the 143d regiment he was elected its lieutenant-colonel, serving chiefly in the Mississippi valley. At the close of the war he resumed practice in Charleston, but removed afterward to Independence, Missouri, where he practised law four years with success, and won a reputation as a political orator. He removed to Olathe, Kansas, in 1869, served in the state senate in 1873-'4, and was elected governor of Kansas, as a Republican, in 1878, serving until 1882, when he was defeated as a candidate for a third term. He was the candidate of the Prohibition party for president of the United States in 1884, and received a vote of 151,809. During the canvass he delivered addresses in various parts of the United States.