Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-03-02


preacher he determined upon at an early
age. 1t was not until he WAS 10 years old
that he learned to read. Previously he
knew little else than farm work. Then
he was allowed tn attend an old field
school, and he continued his attendance
until he was 20, working on the farm
during daylight while out of school, and
doing his studying by the light Of pine
knots at night. Az 20, he went to high
school in Abbeville county and attended
it for two years, maintaining himself dur
ing that time by such labor as he could
get to do outside of school hours. Next,
for two years, he took the superintendent
cy of several adjoining farms and secured
enough money to enable him to attend
school two years more. Then he taught
a year, went to school another year, and
after three years more of farm superin-
tendence, studying his Bible all along in
the meantime, in lS49 be was admitted to
the South Carolina conference as preach
er, unusually well prepared to discharge
the duties of bis sacred calling.
Mr.. Johnson's first appointment was
to what was then known as the bray
don" circuit, including 16 churches in
Lumberton and Robson counties, in
North Carolina, and Marlboro and Ches-
terfield counties, just over the line in
South Carolina. 1t was VIGOROUSLY
hard appointment, even in those days
when really easy appointments were few
and far between but Mr.. johnson en-
tered upon the work with zeal and en-
thusiasm which made it a pleasure. He
secured many converts, and even pro-
NOTED the building of several churches.
At that time portions Of Marlboro aud
Chesterfield were infested by the then
famous Lowry gang of cutthroats and
highwaymen. The Lowrys were mix
ture of Indian, Negro and white blood,
desperate and law unto themselves.
They had never heard the gospel preach
ed before, and but few men would have
ever thought of trying to teach it to them.
Mr.. Johnson, however, tried and with
success. Several of them professed faith
and actually built church, which con-
tinues to flourish in that section to this
day. Others of the turbulent crowd con-
tinued in their evil ways until, finally,
they were suppressed by the law.
After a year on the circuit just men:
toned, Mr.. johnson, desiring to still fur
ther prosecute his studies, secured ali
appointment as missionary to the Negroes
of Beaufort, and continued in the field
during 1850 and 1851. He preached regu-
larly to the Negroes, studied elocution al
Beaufort college, organized white con-
eregation and worked it up to the point
of erecting the first Methodist house o!
worship that was ever erected in the
town. Then next he took missionary
appointment to Georgetown, did great
deal of pioneer work there, and after
filling several other appointments at diff
ferent points throughout the state. cane
to Yorkville for the first time for the
years 1859 and 1860. While here he met
Miss Margaret Smith who, afterward, in
1865, become his wife.
From Yorkville, Mr.. Johnson was sent
to Wadesboro, n. G. This town was
formerly a part Of his first circuit, but
was not fiourishing station, the mem
bers of which recollected and appreciated
his earnest labors among them ten years
before, and who had gotten him back by
special request. Just at that period the
war feeling was running high, and there
developed circumstances which still fur
ther unfolded the force and sincerity OF
Mr.. Johnson's character. AS the result
of his previous hard work, his voice had
failed him, and he could no longer preach.
The people were holding meetings, and
at one of them he was called upon to
make a talk. His talk was as follows:
son account Of my failing voice, l can
do more good in the army than can
here. am going to the front. Who will
go with me?"
Coming as it did from a minister OF the
gospel, this short speech created a pro-
found sensation and wave Of enthusi-
asm which resulted in the almost unani :
nous agreement on the part of the men,
bers of the crowd, that if Mr.. johnson
would raise a company they would join
it and follow him to the war.
The work of organizing the proposed
company was commenced at once. Cav
airy, Mr.. johnson announced it was to be,
and many of the rich planters over the
line in Chesterfield and Marlborough
counties, knowing the man so well, sent
their sons to join. At the organization
Mr.. Johnson was nominated for chaplain
of the company. ~ am not going to
preach" he replied; II am going to
fight" and they unanimously chose him
az captain. Many of the old soldiers are
familiar with his record. He was in al
most every cavalry fight that took place
within reach. He fought at Brandy Sta
ton, Culpepper Courthouse and Second
Manassas. He was twice wounded, once
very severely, and had two horses killed
under him. At no time was he ever
known to finch from any duty, however
dangerous, and when the war closed ne
was in command OF regiment, having
attained his promotion through his cour-
age, capacity and unshrinking devotion TO
the cause that be believed to be right.
"But never liked war;" said Mr.. john
son, some two years ago. sometimes II
is necessary and sometimes it is not; but
at all times it is horrible"
After the war Mr.. johnson returned to
Yorkville, married and settled down on
a farm about five miles northwest OF
town. During 1866 he served the church
at this place, and for the next three years
occupied himself with his farm, preach
ing on Sundays to congregations at dit
ferent points and performing other min
isterial services whenever occasion arose.
In 1870 he was appointed pastor of Mount
Vernon and Shady Grove churches and
did great deal of missionary work
/ .L.o,obont tLa waStern norton of the