The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1881-12-08

energy could prevail. Their friendship
ripened with the feeting years. John
SON rose from an Alderman in his
adopted home to the Presidential chair,
and when he died his friend, q. w.
Jones. addressed the largest assemblage
OF people ever gathered together in
East Tennessee, the occasion of the
laying OF the cornerstone of Andrew
J0hnson's monument.
johnson did not remain in Middle
Tennessee any great length of time,
but soon turned his wandering footsteps
back towards East Tennessee, working
short while at each town on his way.
At Knoxville he became acquainted
with number of prominent and in
fluential men. At cambridge he worked
two weeks with George w. Tabler,
who, at that time, was one of the best
tailors in East Tennessee. Johonson al
ways dressed very neatly, and went to
hear Father Campbell q Presbyterian
preacher, who then preached in an old
log church. In the evening he would
take long walk for exercise after his
days work, and would keep the best of
company or none. He said he wished
to associate with those from whom he
could learn something, as his education
was very limited.
The great commoner owed much of his
education to the lady to whom he was
married shortly afterwards. She was
woman of great energy and possessed a
plain education. She taught her hus-
band to read, and many persons have
seen the two in the little shop at night,
he working and listening attentively to
the reading of his wife.
When Mr.. johnson had completed
the time with Mr.. Tabler for which he
had contracted. he left cambridge and
returned to Greenville, where he had
left his mother. On his way thither he
obtained the names of several of the
most prominent men in the neighbor-
hood, for whom he could cut and fit
clothes. He first stopped at Warreqs-
burg, on Lick Creek, near the Chucky
River. He saw Philip Moser, who
lived on Long Creek; Colonel Joseph
Hamilton, lawyer, who owned large
river farm; Robert Hill, who owned the
Chuckey Bend; Major Hogan, Major
Conneway. Major Porter Douglass and
Mr.. Scruggs, who owned a large river
farm and had a little store in Warrens-
burg. He made for Mr.. Scruggs' two
sons their first fine cloth suits. He re-
manned some time making clothes for
the people on Lick Creek and Chucky
River, and his work there made him
very popular in the lower end of Greene
County. One of Scruggs' sons, John,
became teacher and Baptist preacher,
and the other, James, a trader and
afterward a politician.
Returning to Greenville, johnson
rented a small frame shop, hung out his
sign, "Andrew johnson, Tailor" and
settled down steadily to work. He
married shortly afterward, and he. his
wife and his mother lived on one of the
back streets of Greenville. in o small
frame house with two rooms. Forty
years from the time he landed in Green
vile with his blind pony and cart, he
owned large property, and rose from
poor tailor to an Alderman, member
of the Legislature, Governor. Congress-
man. Senator, Vice-President and Presi.
dent of the United States. He learned
Latin after he was elected member of
Congress the first time. He was study
ing whenever he had q leisure
moment on his hands. His great
desire was to benefit his children and
give them q good education. He sent
them to the best school to be
found and guarded over them with care.
His mother married man named Do
alta and lived until her death on small
farm which her son purchased for her.
He was perfectly devoted to his mother,
aud always visited her on every posi-
BILE opportunity. A similar example
was exhibited in the case of President
Andrew jackson. He, too, was q poor
boy when he went to East Tennessee.
His mother was dependent on him for
support. johnson and jackson were
firm friends. General William M. Low
cry. formerly United States Marshal for
East Tennessee, but now q successful
banker at Atlanta, was also one of john
sons best friends. When johnson be-
came President he remembered General
Lowery's friendship, and desired to
give him an important appointment.
but this offer General Lowery declined.
Cor. Nashville american.