Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1901-12-25
OLD GUARDS AaE PASSING AWAY.
Vim. D. Johnson, Citizen, jurst Planter and
Christian Patriot Is Dead.

Christian Patriot is Dead.
Marion, December 17.-Hon. VIM.
ID. Johnson died at his home in this
town last night at 10 O'Clock. The
end of his long, useful and honorable
life was peaceful and painless. The
members of his family were all in
attendance at his death bed, being
prepared to expect, the sad event in
view of the advanced age of the
venerable sufferer and of the grave
symptoms his sickness had developed
during the last few days.
Chancellor Johnson was in his
84th year, having been born in
North Carolina, Septenlber 8, 1918.
He came of fine old Scotch stock,
his ancestors on the maternal side
belonging to the prominent Dali
rymple family. They followed the
fortunes of the Stuarts. and when
the hopes of the ''bonnie prince"
were blasted at Culloden some of
them joined the Scottish contingent
of exiles that sought refuge along
the banks of the Cape Fear.
Mr.. johnson was educated at
Davidson College and at Princeton,
and after his graduation located at
Bennettsville. He studied law and
was admitted to the bar, and was
thoroughly equipped for his life
work. His high character and emf
nent ability soon found appreciative
recognition at the hands of discern
ing electors, by whom he was sent to
the convention that adopted the ordi-
nance Of secession, and afterwards
chosen State Senator from Marlboro
District. When his senatorial term
expired the Legislature. showed its
appreciation of his legal talents and
his moral rectitude and integrity by
elevating him to the cbancery bench,
which he occupied with credit and
ever increasing respect until the
jurisdiction was abolished in 1869.
About that time Mr.. Johnson re-
moved to Marion aud formed law
partnership with Major ]: NJ. John
son, Mr.. j. w. Johnson, a son-in-law
of the chancellor, being afterwards
admitted as a partner This firm
did an active and extensive business
In Marion and the adjoining counties,
and was kept up until year or more
ago when the weight OF years and
increasing bodily infirmity compelled
the senior member to withdraw from
the practice. In the meantime the
chancellor exhibited the versatility
of his strong genius by carrying on
successfully one of the largest agri-
cuiSural enterprises in this section of
the State. His well known farm at
Denono was a model Of scientific
agriculture conducted on large
scale. He was besides learned
authority on pomology and horticul-
ture, and lis practical mind compro-
hended every detail of barnyard and
stock farm.
a striking proof Of the chancellor's
personal integrity, &c well as his
business capacity, is the fact that for
more than 80 years past through all
the depression, uncertainty and
vicissitude of that period he managed
the affairs of a large trust estate in
volving many thousat, Is of dollars so
skillfully and faith 4uiiy as to avoid
aiiy depletion Of corpus and interest
and he was but recently discharged
from the trust with the commenda-
ton of the court.
Chancellor Johnson married in
1851 Miss Sarah Elizabeth Mccall.
of Darlington District, who preceded
him to the grave nearly 25 years ago.
The surviving children are Messrs.
N. M. Johnson and d. Dalrymple
johnson, and Mrs. j. w. johnson, of
Marion, Mrs. S. A. Woods, of Oar
lington, and Mrs. w. MEG. Buck,
of Mullins.