Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-02-12


he had organized white congregation
and built the first Methodist church
that was ever erected in the town.
From Beaufort he went on another
mission to Georgetown, and after that
he had several other appointments in
various parts of the State, first coming
to Yorkville for the years 1859 and
1860.
After leaving Yorkville, Mr.. John
son went to Wadesboro, N. c., which
was in his first circuit; but which had
developed into quite an important
station. During the latter part of 1861
his voice failed and he was forced to
stop preaching. The war feeling was
running high all over the country at
the time and frequent public meetings
were being held. At these meetings
the crowds would call for speeches
from any and all who were likely to
respond. Mr.. Johnson was called for.
He said: "On account of my failing
voice, think I can do more good in
the army than I can do here. 1 am
going to the front. Who will 20 with
me9" The speech, though short, was
most effective. 1t created great en-
thusiasm, and the crowd assured him
that if he. would raise company, they
would follow.
Mr.. johnson proceeded to act on the
suggestion without delay. He an
nounced that he would raise cavalry
company. Volunteers enrolled. their
names by the dozen, and many of the
rich planters over the line in South
Carolina, sent their sons to join his
command. They knew him and were
glad to have such man as leader.
Drilling and other preparations for
active duty were commenced forth
with; but shortly before the company
was ready to march, Mr.. johnson be-
came sick. He was confined to his
bed for two months, and as soon as he
recovered, he hastened to join his
company. About the time the organi-
zation was effected, somebody suggest
ed that inasmuch as Mr.. Johnson was
a minister, probably he had better be
elected chaplain; but he refused the
offer. ~ did not come. here to
preach" he said, 81 came to fight. I"
There was no reason to believe that
he was not made of the right kind Of
grit, and he was accordingly elected
captain of the company.
The company went to the war, ard
the preacher became a fighter. He
was in almost every cavalry fight of
any consequence that took place. In
fact, he was fighting nearly all the
time from the day he entered the
service until the surrender. Among
his most notable battles were Brandy
Station, Culpeper Court House and
Second Manassas. He was, twice
wounded and had two horses killed
under him; but was never known to
finch in the face of danger. More
than once he attracted the attention of
his superior officers on account of en-
terprisiug daring, and when the war
was over he was colonel of the regi-
ment. "But 1 don't like war, ,"'says
Mr.. Johnson. 'Sometimes it is neces-
sary and sometimes it is not; but at
all times it is horrible"
After the war, Mr.. Johnson returned
to Yorkville. His only business here
then was to see his sweetheart, Miss
Margaret Smith. He married her in
September, 1865, and then settled
down on farm five miles west of
Yorkville. During 1866 he served
the church at Yorkville from his
plantation. Then, on account of his
voice, he decided to rest again. During
1S67-8-9 he devoted himself almost
exclusively to farming, and he proved
that he understood the business. His
plantation, which had been badly run
down, was built up to high state of
cultivation, and the net income was
highly creditable from business point
of view.
In 1870, Mr.. Johnson undertook
regular church work again. He served
the churches at Hickory Grove and
Shady Grove, and did great deal of
missionary work all through the west
ern portion of the county. He organ
lied and built several churches and de-
veloped the field to wonderful extent.
1t was while he had charge of the
church at Hickory Grove that he or
ganized the church at Blacksburg,
which has since become fourishing
station.
In 1880, he was sent to the church
at Westchester, in Chester county. He
remained there for three years, and
during that period, he received the
largest salary of his life-S5OO.00 a
year-which was paid in full. After
leaving Westchester, he went back
to Blacksburg and Gaffney churches
and served them for two years. Then
he served Kings Mountain chapel and
Philadelphia churches for four years,
after which he became school commits
sioner of York county, and did good
service to the people for two terms.
His last church was his old church at
Blacksburg, which he was serving at
the time he allowed himself to 60 on
the superanuated list.
During his career, Mr.. Johnson has
built 26 churches and organized no
less than 20 congregations. In some