George Ashbury Johnson (July 27, 1829 â September 20, 1894) was an American politician and lawyer who served as California Attorney General from 1887 to 1891. Prior to that, he was Member of California State Assembly from the 1st District (1863), served in the State Senate (1883âÂÂ87), and was the second Mayor of Santa Rosa (1878). He is famous for litigating against the railroad companies and forcing them to pay taxes.