Andrew P. Johnson was born in Sitka on May 31, 1898 to Peter and Bessie Johnson. He became an orphan when he was thirteen, and was placed in the Russian orphanage. He eventually began school at Sheldon Jackson School, and was the valedictorian of the first graduating class of Sheldon Jackson in 1921. He then went to college in Missouri at Park College. He studied for the ministry and was ordained an evangelist, and worked on the Navajo Reservation from 1925 to 1968

Andrew P. Johnson married Rose Peshlakai in 1925, and raised three sons. He returned to Alaska with his family and worked at Mt. Edgecumbe High School from 1947 to 1968. There, he served as president of the Sitka Alaska Native Brotherhood, grand vice-president of the Grand Camp ANB, member of the Central Council, and president of the Tlingit-Haida Association. He became part of the Sheldon Jackson staff in 1968, and taught classes in Tlingit culture and language. Andrew P. Johnson was very involved with the annual Tlingit Language Workshops in the 1970s.

Rose Johnson died in 1980 and on February 20, 1982 married Etta P. Dalton. Before his death, Andrew P. Johnson prepared himself traditionally. In his last few days, he sang the spiritual song "National Anthem" of his clan and house for his family. He then went to his bed and died on January 8, 1986.