The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1892-04-15
JOSEPH 7. JOHNSON.
THE LAuRENs MAN VINO WILL Opposs SHELL
FOR CONGRESS


When the time comes to nominate n can
didats for Congress from the Fourth District
the Democrats Of Laurens will divide The
candidacy Of Joseph L. johnson bring him,
Of course, into prominent notice, but distinct
from that, his career has an interest aud a
Lesson of its own.
Mr. johnson was born at Brewer own, in
the northwestern section Of Laurens county,
on the 2Sth of February, 1850, aud is, there
FIRE, just turned thirty -four.
In his Infancy his father, farmer in
comfortable circumstances, died and the
small estate in lands which he peft was in
some way dissspated. The boy with only .
widowed mother to provide was forced for
the most part to make his own way. In his
boyhood he attended the country schools,
say two years and q half in oil. l..
I. III. Dtuiel, Thomson rraynham and
Ii. 5. Shumatc were his teachers. When
he was fourteeu year, old his mother
died and the same year, upon the advice Of
brother-in-law, he set out to gain a colleg-
ate education and mariculated ut Erskinc.
He hadn't dollar, but he had been at work
all of his life and felt tha, he could go TO
college and make living too. During the
first year OF the course he had to depsDd on
the labor Of his hands to make expenses,
cutting ccrdwood aud picking cotton, among
other things, in vacation. One of his many
expedient, was hauling freight from the town
Of Donalds into Due West in an OK cart which
constituted his capital stock in business.
After the young student had gained the
sophomore Class an easier time dawned and
ho managed to make ends meet by selling
books and teaching school between sessions.
The records of Erskiue will show his high
standing in scholarship and the president
and professor, will testify TO the high esteem
i'll which be was hell.
The week following graduation, in June,
1878, he opened a school at Hodges where he
taught for year and n half. During tho
summer vacation Of 1880 he took the census
Of Cokesbury township, d9iug the necessary
travelling on foot That was the nearest to
any political office that lie has yet held. In
September. 1880, he cuterei Vanderbilt
University and remained there eight months
studying logic and modern languages. So
much for youth in which hard and cou-
slant manual and Intellectual toll combined
tomake man.
Leaving Vanderbilt, johnson common cd
the study of law ut Laurcns under Col. J. W.
Ferguson and was admitted in 1882. He
was successful as q lawyer from the begin
nin., The public records il Laurens, Alb
bevilte, Greenville and other counties will
prove that the firm of Johnson & Rchey
has enjoyed practice which will compare
favorably with any in the up country. Its
assignment litigation, 70; Instance, aic ven
known to the readers of the Daily Neps
While Mr.. johnson has never before been
candidate, OF even active in politics, close
and critical study have made him a 'spe-
cialist' i'll questions Of naiona! politics. On
the silver and tariff questions he has inform
ed himself thoroughly. lie favors the free
and the un;imiie coinage of silver aud is q
tariff reformer in the strict democratic
sense. He is q forcible and fluent speak er.
If elected to Congress, careful preparation.
the same sort that he is accustomed to give
to law case or anything tha, he under
takes. as well as great natural ability, will
briug TO him Immediately reputation and in
huence.
MIR. johnson is o leading member of the
Methodist Church and has been for years.
Whatever the event OF the contest it is
safe to rre iict that Mr.. Johuson's canvass
will be conducted on high plane Any
thing more or less than business like ear
nest, iuquiring discussion Of the issues i.
too rcpugnant to the character of.ths.- man
to be antiqipatedtby those w6qsknoaS him!,.
lIat TRANS ssaxaaS esssk.
: : : : : !